Basketball Braves in the Pros: Oct. 5

Chris Roberts and Walt Lemon, Jr. both turned in impressive season-openers to highlight the latest Bradley Basketball Braves in the Pros Update

Walt Lemon, Jr. made his TBL debut wtih 16 points, five assists and foru rebounds Sunday.

Bobby Parker, Associate AD for Communications Men's Basketball 10/5/2016 7:36:00 AM

Six former Bradley Basketball players have tipped off their professional seasons in Europe and Asia and a seventh, Auston Barnes, will open his second pro season Friday. Among this past week's highlights, Chris Roberts led the group of former Braves with a 24-point season-opener, while Walt Lemon, Jr. made his Turkish Basketball League debut with 16 points Sunday.

Zach Andrews (2005-07), C, 6-8, 224
Earthfriends Tokyo Z | Japan-B League D2
Andrews averaged 14.0 points and 12.5 rebounds during the weekend's two-game series against Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya, although his Earthfriends Tokyo Z squad dropped both games. Through the first four games of the season, Andrews is averaging 11.3 points on 54.5 percent field goal shooting and 11.8 rebounds per game.

Auston Barnes (2013-15), F, 6-8, 220
KFUM Nassjo Basket | Sweden-Basketligann
Barnes is preparing for his second pro season after earning honorable mention All-Balkan League and third-team All-Bulgarian League recognition as a rookie last year. Playing for BC Beroe in Bulgaria in 2015-16, Barnes averaged 10.4 points and 6.7 rebounds in 28 NBL games, as well as 10.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in 15 Balkan League games. The 6-foot-8 forward shot better than 42 percent from 3-point range in both leagues. Barnes is scheduled to open his second pro season Friday.

Taylor Brown (2008-12), F, 6-7, 215
King Wilki Morskie Szczecin | Poland-TBL
Brown begins his fifth pro season back in Europe after excelling in Mexico this past summer. After signing with Trigueros de Ciudad Obregon at midseason, Brown averaged 22.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game in 17 games this summer. Brown's new team is scheduled to open the season Oct. 11.

Jimmy Gavin (2012-13), G, 6-3, 189
Dzukija Alytus | Lithuania-LKL
Four games into his first pro season, Gavin is averaging 8.0 points, 3.0 assists and 2.8 rebounds for his Lithuanian team. He contributed 11 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal to Tuesday's 85-82 win against Nevezis.

Walt Lemon, Jr. (2010-14), G, 6-3, 178
Istanbulspor Beylikduzu | Turkey-TBL
Beginning his third pro season, Lemon made his Turkish Basketball League debut Sunday by contributing 16 points, five assists and four rebounds to an 86-74 road win against Yalova Group Belediye Spor. Lemon's team is scheduled to return to action Saturday.

Chris Roberts (2008-10), G, 6-4, 205
Fortituto Kontatto Bologna | Italy-Serie A2
After helping Fortituto Kontatto Bologna to the the preseason Italian Serie A2 Super Cup title in September, Roberts officially opened his seventh pro season Sunday by pouring in a team-high 24 points in a 75-71 win against Chieti. The 6-foot-4 guard made 3-of-5 3-point field goal attempts and added six rebounds and two assists in the win. His squad returns to action Sunday against Verona.

Marcellus Sommerville (2003-06), F, 6-7, 224
Entente Orleans 45 | France-ProA
Two games into his 11th pro season, Sommerville is averaging 14.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game for an Orleans squad that has started 0-2. Sommerville shared game-high scoring honors with 18 points in Saturday's 86-62 loss to Nanterre. Orleans returns to action Saturday against Strasbourg.

Andrew Warren (2006-11), G, 6-5, 209
Mitteldeutscher BC Weissenfels | Germany-ProA
Warren experienced an up-and-down statistical weekend, while his MBC (3-0) squad remained unbeaten after picking up a pair of wins. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard enjoyed a strong all-around game in Saturday's 85-71 win against Baunach with 24 points, seven assists and four steals. Warren followed with a scoreless performance, but three rebounds and three assists in his 20 minutes, in Monday's 79-73 win against Hanau. One of just three Germany ProA teams to open 3-0, Warren's MBC team returns to action Sunday against Hamburg.

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