Over the past few years, alumni from the 2016-17 men's basketball team that made a run to nationals have been continuing their legacy overseas.

Currently, AJ Basi (2012-17, playing in Italy), Justus Alleyn (2013-18, playing in Czech Republic) Keith Omoerah (2010-12, 2015-17, playing in Ukraine) and Ilarion Bonhomme (2015-17, playing in Spain) are enjoying the pro life.

For Omoerah and Bonhomme, it's their second season of professional basketball, after successful stints in Norway and Australia the year prior. Both athletes were late additions to their respective teams, signing on in December.

Bonhomme has suited up as a combo guard in three games so far for CB Virgen Concha in Spain, averaging six points and three rebounds in 15 minutes of playing time. The team he's playing on likes to push the ball up the court as much as possible and capitalize in transition, a skill Bonhomme excelled at while learning under Bisons head coach Kirby Schepp.

"It's crazy. I talk to Justus, AJ and Keith and we talk about how spoiled we were, because we all came into the pros so prepared," he says.

"Kirby has all this international coaching experience and really knows basketball, so if you can get on a team where they even remotely play the right way, you can fit in, because coming from the U of M, we learned how to play basketball the right way, from ball movement, to tempo and everything."

Omoerah has played in six games – starting four – as a versatile forward for MBC Mykolaiv in the Ukraine. He's averaging 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists for the team thus far and was recently selected to play in the all-star game.

"I'm very fortunate to be selected to the all-star game. I don't think you can cheat the game. If you do, then the results will show. I work hard every game and I'm very fortunate to be in the situation I'm in with the club. It's a very good fit, and the coach just allows me to be free and play my game."

Omoerah spent the fall training with Schepp and the current Bisons roster, which helped him stay in shape but also reminded him of all the good times had in Investors Group Athletic Centre over the years. He also brought his contract for Schepp to look over before he signed, as he values his former coach's advice.

"It was really nostalgic being back with the guys and vibing in practice and stuff," Omoerah says fondly.

"It really made me miss my time there, because that was the best team I've ever been a part of, and I talk about that with AJ, Ilarion and Justus now. We're doing exactly what we wanted to do in this life and we're very fortune to be able to play basketball for a living, but that bond and comradery we had at the U of M, you can't get that anywhere else."

But Omoerah's time in the Ukraine hasn't been without its share of adversity.

Two days before he arrived, there was a massive flood which has forced the squad to play every game on the road that he's been a part of. There also aren't many guys on the team who speak English, so he has to get a player to translate for him.

Regardless, the constantly positive Omoerah is enjoying his experience.

"It's unique. It's finding a new way to lead, because I can't express everything through English. But the good thing about basketball is that it's a universal language."