MACON, Ga. – While the current MU men’s basketball team is in the early stages of the 2011-12 season, the professional basketball world is proving to be a good showcase for four Mercer hoops alumni.

Justin Howard, who played for MU from 1999-2003, is playing for BG Karlsruhe of Germany’s Pro-A league. 10 games into the German season, BG Karlsruhe is 2-8. Howard is averaging a double-double of 15.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game.  He is shooting better than 60 percent from the field.

Howard is playing in his seventh different country, having also played in Mexico, Argentina, Chile, France, Syria and Spain.

Brian Mills, who finished his MU career after the 2010-11 campaign, is having an outstanding year for Lusitania of Portugal’s LPG league. His team is off to a 3-1 start with Mills shooting 40 percent from the field and 71 percent from the free throw line. The Douglasville, Ga., native is averaging 12.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game.

After playing in Holland last year, E.J. Kusnyer signed this year to play in Canada’s top League – the National Basketball League of Canada – for the Oshawa Power. The Power is 3-4, thus far. Kusnyer has appeared in six games and is averaging 5.7 points per game and shooting 41 percent from the field.

Mercer’s all-time scoring leader – James Florence – has taken his trade to the Ukraine, playing for Kryvbasbasket. Florence’s team is 1-2 and he is averaging 10.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game.