CEDAR FALLS – Four former members of the UNI men’s basketball program have signed new professional contracts, extending their careers in leagues across the world. From the NBA to the top leagues in Europe, AJ Green, Wes Washpun, Bennett Koch and Jeremy Morgan all left indelible marks on the Panther program, which have carried over into their professional basketball careers.
AJ Green (Milwaukee Bucks, NBA)
A former two-time Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Player of the Year, Green signed a three-year contract with the Milwaukee Bucks following his first season professionally. Green played seven games for the Wisconsin Herd (NBA G-League) in 2022-23, where he averaged 21.2 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game, and 3.4 assists per game as a two-way contract player. In 35 games with Milwaukee, Green averaged 4.4 points with a 41.9 three-point percentage, the best mark among rookies last season who took over 100 attempts.
Wes Washpun (U.D. Oliveirense, Portugal)
The 2016 MVC Tournament MVP and a Second Team All-MVC talent, Washpun has extended his career to the overseas U.D. Oliveirense in Portugal’s top-tier league. His previous playing career saw him with the Iowa Energy/Wolves (NBA G-League) as well as teams in Mexico, Latvia, Greece, the United Kingdom, and Poland. In his last full season with Astoria Bydgoszcz (Poland), Washpun averaged 10.7 points per game also recording 2.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
Bennett Koch (Sheffield Sharks, United Kingdom)
After beginning his professional career with the Dutch Windmills in the Netherlands, Koch signed with the Sheffield Sharks of the British Basketball League (BBL), extending his stay in the United Kingdom for a fifth season. Coming off a season in which the Sharks finished seventh in the league in 2022-23, Koch shot 55.1% from the floor, recording 9.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. He was awarded the Coach’s Player of the Year award at the end of the season.
Jeremy Morgan (JL Bourg Basket, France)
A two-time All-Defensive and two-time All-MVC performer, Morgan signed with JL Bourg Basket in France’s top professional after playing two seasons with the Telekom BasketsBonn in Germany. Morgan averaged a professional career-high 14.6 points per game last season while also bringing in 4.4 rebounds and assisting on 2.0 baskets per game, helping his team post a league-best 32-2 record and reach the Bundesliga Finals.
Since 1964, 56 Panthers have gone on to play professional basketball in multiple leagues across the globe, including 23 who have played under current UNI head coach Ben Jacobson.
