Huskers in the Pros: Oct. 24

As the NBA season begins tonight, it was a busy week for Huskers playing professionally. Throughout the season, Huskers.com will highlight former NU standouts around the world. 

Matej Kavas has put together a strong season playing for SKN St. Poelten in Austria. Kavas, who played at Nebraska during the 2019-20 season, has 29 points and five rebounds in a 94-83 loss to Gmunden. On the season, Kavas is averaging 20.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in the team’s first four contests. 

Shavon Shields put together a strong performance in a EuroLeague matchup against Real Madrid in the most recent round of competition. Shields led Olimpia Milano with 16 points and seven rebounds in 33 minutes of action. He is in fourth season with Milano and is averaging 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in EuroLeauge action and 10.5 points per game across all competitions this season. 

James Palmer Jr. earned MVP honors in Turk Telekom Ankara’s 73-60 win over Bodrum on Sunday. Palmer had 15 points in the win and is averaging 11.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. 

Dalano Banton begins the regular season with the Boston Celtics after spending his first two seasons with Toronto. Banton, who played at Nebraska in the 2020-21 season, averaged 6.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game during the preseason. He had 20 points in 30 minutes against the New York Knicks and had eight points in 16 minutes in Boston’s win over Charlotte in the preseason finale. 

Bryce McGowens begins his second year with the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday evening. Last season, McGowens played in 46 games as a rookie and averaged 5.3 points per game.