LOUDONVILLE, NY – Over the more than 80-year history of Siena Men's Basketball, numerous alumni have continued to make an impact on the game long after their collegiate playing days were over. A select few remain in the game today, either as players, coaches, or in another capacity altogether.

Currently, the Siena Men's Basketball program boasts an active alumni base featuring graduates still playing professionally in seven foreign countries, as well as several others who hold administrative positions ranging from head coach to director of scouting.

A pair of recent graduates have wasted no time inserting themselves into the international basketball scene, with Evan Fisher '19 and Kadeem Smithen '19 both currently playing professionally overseas. Fisher is in his first season with the Vaerlose BBK (Blue Hawks) in the Basketligaen, the top professional level in Denmark, while Smithen is in his first year as a part of the Sport Changes Live Victory Scholars program in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

For Fisher, the decision to pursue playing basketball professionally came following a breakout 2018-19 season in Loudonville, which saw him average nearly 16 points-per-game and lead the team in scoring and field goal percentage on his way to being named a Second Team All-MAAC selection.

"I never really thought about playing professionally until I had a very successful senior year and was told by many that I should take the opportunity to play in Europe," Fisher said. "The decision basically came down to not wanting to look back decades from now and regret having never given professional basketball a shot."

Through 20 games in Denmark, Fisher currently ranks third in the league in scoring and is the top rebounder, averaging 19.5 points and 9.9 rebounds per-game. One of just two Americans on his roster, the Pasadena, Maryland native has amounted 12 double-doubles on the season, posting double figures in scoring in all but one contest thus far.

"The adjustment to playing in Europe has definitely been a challenge, but like any challenge, you grow from adversity," Fisher continued. "The off the court atmosphere can take you out of your comfort zone, but the adjustment has not been too major overall."

Upon finishing up at Siena as a fifth-year senior last winter, Smithen became the fifth Siena student athlete to be accepted into the Sport Changes Life Victory Scholars Program, and is one of two current Siena Basketball players enrolled in the program alongside women's basketball alumna Kollyns Scarbrough '18, who is now in her second year in the program. The pair are currently studying at Ulster University, making Smithen the fifth Saint overall to enroll in the program behind Scarbrough, Meghan Donohue '17 (women's basketball), Kristen Bromley '17 (women's golf) and Ryan Oliver '16 (men's basketball).

Following his graduation from the program, Oliver returned to the states and became involved in coaching at both the collegiate and AAU levels. Today, he is currently in his first season as an assistant coach at NCAA Division III Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts.

"My path in basketball has been exciting and non-stop since graduating from Siena in 2016," Oliver said. "Since leaving, I've learned the importance of creating networks and relationships with everyone that you come across."

Oliver, who helped lead the Saints to the 2014 College Basketball Invitational Championship, was named a FIBA Ireland Basketball All-Star Second Team selection while playing overseas, and continued on to earn his master's in education with an emphasis in positive coaching. He has since served as the co-director of an AAU program in California, and was an assistant coach at Glendale College (CA) last season.

Both Fisher and Oliver credit the support and experience that they received from Siena College while a member of the basketball program as building blocks to where the future has brought them today.

"Siena prepared me well, given the high level of competition I received throughout my four years," Fisher recalled. "Siena's teams are always filled with very talented and tough players, so I believe that gave me the mindset to compete and be ready for the professional level."

"Attending and playing for Siena prepared me for that path I am on now in a variety of ways, including working well with others in team settings and facing adversity," Oliver said. "It also showed me the importance of meeting others and growing my network."

Fisher, Smithen, and Oliver are just three Siena Basketball graduates who currently remain active in the game.

Class of 2017 graduates Marquis Wright and Javion Ogunyemi are playing professionally in France and Austria, respectively. Wright is on his third different country after also competing in Hungary and Israel, while Ogunyemi has played on two different Austrian teams this season.

Several Siena stars from beyond recent memory have put together consistent international basketball careers that remain to this day.

O.D. Anosike '13 has played in Italy, France, Greece, Spain, and most recently Mexico, where he helped Fuerza Regia capture a conference championship last month.

Ryan Rossiter '11 has played overseas since graduation, and maintains a steady role in Japanese basketball while a member of Link Tochigi Brex since 2013. The team won its league championship in 2017.

Both Ronald Moore and Alex Franklin have played around the world since their departure from the Capital Region in 2010. Moore is currently situated in the "LNB Pro A" league in France, while Franklin is playing in Mexico and competed on Team Puerto Rico for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Kenny Hasbrouck '09 saw a stint in the NBA's D-League after college, and has been playing in Italy consistently since 2014. He is currently averaging 14.4 points for Tezenis VER of the Italy-Serie A2.

Following successful professional careers both domestically and overseas, two former Saints recently wrapped up their playing careers.

Tay "Firefly" Fisher '08 announced his retirement last fall following a successful career with the Harlem Globetrotters, while Edwin Ubiles concluded a career that brought him to the Washington Wizards in 2012, internationally for the latter part of last decade, and most recently with the Albany Patroons last season.

Aside from continuing playing careers on the court, a handful for former Saints have advanced in the coaching and basketball administrative ranks as well.

Kyle Griffin '12 is currently in his second season as an assistant coach at La Salle, and previously made stops at Robert Morris and Lehigh.

Prosper Karangwa '03 enjoyed a seven-year professional playing career after college, and now serves as the Director of College Scouting for the NBA's Orlando Magic.

Four Siena graduates have advanced to the head coaching ranks, with the team currently led by Carmen Maciariello '01, who is the first alumnus since Bill Kirsch more than 30 years ago to lead the program. Jim Cantamessa '00 is also at the helm of a program, serving as the head coach at Greensboro College in North Carolina. Siena's all-time leading scorer, Marc Brown '91, is in his 13th season at New Jersey City College, and is the second winningest head coach in the history of the program. Finally, Siena Hall of Famer Matt Brady '87 has been in the collegiate coaching business for more than 30 years, and is currently an assistant coach at the University of Maryland. 

Finally, two more former players have gotten behind the microphone to give back to the program as of late, with Andy Grazulis '92 and Conner Fenlon '12 splitting color commentary duties on Siena Basketball broadcasts.