FOUR FORMER GRAMBLING STATE MEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYERS CONTINUE PROFESSIONAL CAREERS OVERSEAS
Former Tigers Rod Coffee, Derrius Ward, Jamil Muttilib and Devyn Franklin represent Grambling State on the international professional basketball stage
GRAMBLING, La. – Four former Grambling State University men's basketball student athletes are continuing their basketball careers professionally, representing the Tigers across Europe and Latin America.
Roderick Coffee, III,
Derrius Ward,
Jamil Muttilib and
Devyn Franklin have each earned opportunities to compete internationally, showcasing their talents while representing Grambling State University on the professional basketball stage.
From Portugal and Montenegro to Germany and Mexico, the former Tigers are embracing new experiences, competing at the highest levels of their respective leagues and continuing to build their professional careers.
RODERICK COFFEE, III
Vitória Sport Clube | Guimarães, Portugal
Portuguese Basketball League | Top Division
Coffee is competing with Vitória Sport Clube in Guimarães, Portugal, where he continues his professional basketball journey in the country's top division.
"It's been a great experience to see the world with my family and to continue being blessed with the opportunity to play basketball. Coach Pat and the coaching staff at Grambling prepared me well for this next chapter. We utilize many of the same offensive and defensive concepts, which has helped make the transition to professional basketball a great experience."
DERRIUS WARD
Basketball Club Kotor | Kotor, Montenegro
Erste Liga | Top Division
Ward is continuing his professional career with Basketball Club Kotor in Montenegro, competing in the country's top division.
"Sometimes you have to leave everything familiar behind to chase the dream you've been working for. Montenegro isn't just an opportunity to play basketball—it's an opportunity to grow, represent where I come from and prove that hard work can take you anywhere."
"Grambling helped prepare me for this journey in so many ways. It taught me discipline, resilience, accountability, and what it means to compete at a high level. The lessons, experiences, coaches, teammates and challenges I faced at Grambling helped prepare me for this next chapter."
JAMIL MUTTILIB
SC Rist Wedel | Wedel, Germany
German Professional Basketball League | Pro B
Muttilib is continuing his professional basketball career with SC Rist Wedel in Germany, competing in the Pro B division.
"Playing professionally in Germany is an exciting opportunity to continue growing as a player and as a person. My time at Grambling helped me develop the discipline, work ethic and confidence needed to compete at this level. I'm grateful for the coaches and teammates who pushed me throughout my career and helped prepare me for opportunities like this."
DEVYN FRANKLIN
Brujos de Izalco | Izalco, El Salvador
Liga Mayor de Baloncesto (LMB) | Division I
Franklin is continuing his professional basketball career with Brujos de Izalco in El Salvador, competing in the country's top basketball league.
"Being able to continue playing basketball professionally is a blessing, and I'm excited for the opportunity to compete internationally. Grambling played a major role in my development, teaching me how to stay focused, work through adversity, and compete with confidence. I'm proud to represent Grambling State wherever basketball takes me and look forward to continuing to grow in this journey."
REPRESENTING THE G
The professional success of Coffee, Ward, Muttilib and Franklin reflects the continued development of Grambling State men's basketball student athletes and the opportunities available to them beyond their collegiate careers.
As they compete internationally, the former Tigers continue to represent Grambling State University, their teammates, coaches and the GramFam community.
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