BROOKLYN, N.Y. - As playoff season approaches around the world, a slew of former LIU Brooklyn men's basketball players are continuing to play at a high level in 2016. Here's an updated list of Blackbirds who have been shining on the professional level this season:
Landon Atterberry (2013-15): After an impressive showing in his first professional stint with Ylli in Kosovo, Atterberry has signed to play with Halcones in Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP) in Mexico. While in Kosovo, the 6-6 forward averaged 18.4 points and 7.5 rebounds in 11 games played. The Detroit, Michigan native shot an impressive 62.1 percent from the field and also averaged 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals per contest.
Julian Boyd (2008-14): Boyd has been absolutely dominant in his first professional season with Porvoon Tarmo in Finland, leading his team and ranking fifth in the league in scoring at 21.6 points per game. The 6-7 forward has also pulled down a team-best 9.0 rebounds per contest and has continued to improve as the season has wore on. In the team's most recent victory, its fourth in the last five games, Boyd scored 37 points and grabbed 12 rebounds while also recording six steals. Porvoon Tarmo currently sits fourth in the league standings with six contests remaining.
Jason Brickman (2010-14): The two-time NCAA Division I assists champion has been putting up unbelievable numbers for the KL Dragons of the ASEAN League in 2015-16. The 6-0 guard has helped the Dragons move into first place in the league and has done so with his uncanny passing ability. Brickman was named ASEAN Player of the Week after he recorded 20 assists to go along with 12 points and three steals in a win over Hi Tech on Feb. 10, then a week later outdid himself with 21 assists - with only four turnovers - and 14 points in a 107-77 victory over the same team. The 21 dimes set a new league record for a single game. The Dragons have one more regular season contest scheduled for Feb. 21 before playoffs begin.
David Hicks (2007-11): Hicks was recently named to the All-Star Game in the Latvian Basketball League after performing at a high level for Liepajas. The 6-2 guard, who helped the Blackbirds to their first of three straight Northeast Conference Tournament titles, joined the team in mid-January and has made an immediate impact. In a recent win over VEF, Hicks had 19 points and five rebounds and followed that up with 10 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in a victory over Barons Riga on Feb. 10.
Kyle Johnson (2007-11): Another former Blackbird to sign midseason was Johnson, who joined Novipiu Casale of the A2 League in Italy, the same league that former teammate Jamal Olasewere plays in. The 6-5 shooting guard who has extensive experience on the international level will make his season debut with the club on Feb. 17. Johnson most recently played for AV Cantu in Italy, and was also a member of the Great Britain National Team that played in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
Jamal Olasewere (2009-13): Olasewere has had a quality season for Italy's Acea Virtus Roma squad in the A2 League. The 2013 NEC Player of the Year is averaging 12.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals through 21 games. Olasewere is shooting 52.1 percent from the floor and has helped his squad win two of its last three contests. Against Rieti on Jan. 31, Olasewere had 22 points and 10 rebounds in a 88-63 win.
Jaytornah Wisseh (2006-10): Wisseh has helped Prievidza to a 23-6 record with three games left in the Slovakian Basketball League in 2015-16. Over 29 contests, the 6-1 guard is averaging 12.6 points, ranks second in the league at 7.0 assists, and is tied for the top spot with 2.5 steals per game. A three-time All-NEC selection as a Blackbird, Wisseh has also helped Prievidza to a 5-1 record in the Alpe Adria Cup standings.