Pro Frogs: TCU alumni excel across the professional landscape

Ex-Horned Frogs contribute in the NBA, NFL and USL Super League.

Several Pro Frogs shined over the past week. From the NBA to the NFL and even the USL Super League, TCU alumni contributed to winning efforts for their respective teams.

Pro Frogs prepare for the NBA’s Regular Season

First up, Emanuel Miller, a 2024 graduate, made his preseason debut for the Dallas Mavericks. Although Miller failed to hear name called in June’s draft, he joined the Mavs on an Exhibit 10 contract. Miller excelled in the Summer League and parlayed his steady performance into a training camp invite. In Dallas’ inaugural preseason game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Miller contributed 11 points, two rebounds, an assist, and a block in 17 minutes of action. The 24-year-old forward made 4-of-5 field goals and knocked down all three of his free throw attempts.

Other than Miller, two long-time TCU alumni, Desmond Bane and Kenrich Williams, are preparing for seasons five and seven, respectively. Bane, who averaged 23.7 points per game a season ago, hit the court at the same time as Miller. Bane played 23 minutes for the Grizzlies and chipped in 11 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. The 26-year-old guard missed half of last season’s campaign with an ankle injury. Despite the limited number of appearances, Bane collected the third-most minutes of all Grizzlies. Following an injury-riddled 2023-24 season, Memphis will likely be a frontrunner in a loaded West Conference. Williams, who shared the floor for two seasons in Fort Worth with Bane, missed the Oklahoma City Thunder’s preseason opener on October 7. Williams’s obscene isn’t all too perplexing as the 6-foot-6 forward underwent surgery on his knee in September. Williams likely won’t suit up for any preseason contests, but he should be ready to go by the start of the regular season.

KaVontae Turpin’s role increases in Dallas

After exclusively seeing special teams snaps (besides a few gadget plays here and there) former TCU star KaVontae Turpin has earned more snaps for the Dallas Cowboys. On the season, Turpin has accumulated nine receptions for 105 yards and a score. He’s also contributed five punt returns for 96 yards and a score. Turpin saw a career-high in receptions and targets in the Cowboys’ win over the Pittsburg Steelers on October 7. The ex-Horned Frog played nearly 30 percent of Dallas’s offensive snaps—a career-high. Even though Turpin’s offensive burden increased, he still performed well on special teams. The speedster returned a kickoff against the Steelers for 38 yards. Turpin’s return kickstarted the Cowboys’ offense, leading to one of its only scores in the first half before 20-17 victory. Aside from the long return, Turpin’s best play of the game came in the third quarter. Turpin hauled in a 34-yard pass from Dak Prescott to put the Cowboys in field goal position.

Gracie Brian scores first professional goal for the Dallas Trinity

It didn’t take long for former TCU star Gracie Brian to score her first professional goal. After making her first appearance in August for Dallas Trinity FC of the USL Super League, Brian scored her first goal on October 6 in a 2-1 win over Spokane Zephyr FC. The midfielder scored a header in the 58th minute, just after halftime, to build the Trinity’s lead to a 2-0 advantage. The TCU alum didn’t start the first three games of the fall season for Dallas Trinity, but made her way into the starting unit by the squad’s fourth game against Lexington SC. Brian’s next game is slated for October 16 against DC Power FC where it’ll be aired on Peacock.