Playing professionally is the dream of many college athletes. For recent graduates Darren Best, Thadd Varmall, Desmond Strickland, and Mike Buffalo, that dream is a reality.

Darren Best was recently named to the United Kingdom's premier British Basketball League's team of the week. This award comes in Best's fifth season of professional play and is fresh off his league MVP with the Australian Chelsea Seagulls. During his current season, with the Manchester Giants, Best is averaging over 8 points a game and contributes his success to not only his hard work, but the relentless support of his family and friends.

While at YC, Best served as captain of the Panther squad and was named Honorable Mention All-MCAC. Best has stayed in touch with YC Head Men's Basketball Coach Delton Deal throughout his entire career, in which the 6'7" Australian has posted some impressive numbers. During the 2013-2014 season with the Killamarsh Arrows, Darren averaged 31 points per game and 9.2 rebounds, while shooting an impressive 50% from the field. Looking back, Best says, "I have become a better person because of my time at York and I truly believe this served as the springboard for me to become the basketball player I am today."

Thadd Varmall, a 2013 NAIA All American and member of the 2013 NAIA Sweet Sixteen Panther basketball team, recently finished his first season in Australia with the Bullen Boomers. Varmall, who helped lead the Boomers to the Big V state championship game, finished the season shooting 46.2% from the field and 31.4% from beyond the arc. The former Panther also hit an impressive 77.8% of all free throws during the 2014 season. With an average of 24 points per game, Varmall's season high came in the second to last game of the season when he dropped a total of 42 points.

Varmall, who has since returned to Texas, cites his time at York College and his relationship with Coach Deal as contributing factors to his success. "My time at York has impacted me significantly both on and off the court," he says. Varmall continues, "I was not only able to build a relationship with Coach Deal, who still supports and checks in on me to this day, but also to develop my relationship with God. YC gave me the opportunity to grow in Him, and I'm blessed by that daily." Thadd hopes to return to Australia for the 2015 season.

Desmond Strickland is currently playing overseas for the VFL Kirchheim in Kirchheim, Germany. While the season has only just begun, Strickland is averaging 22 points per game with 3 assists and 4 rebounds. Traditionally a 3-point shooter, Strickland was named Honorable Mentionable All-MCAC twice during his career with the Panthers and was part of the 2013 NAIA Sweet Sixteen team. When not playing or practicing, Desmond and his teammates spend a majority of their time coaching and working with youth basketball in schools.

Much like Varmall, Strickland recognizes the importance of his time at York College and his relationship with Coach Deal. "I've been blessed to play for Coach Deal since my AAU Basketball days and he has truly believed in me 100% since the beginning. I know that I can rely on him for anything," he says. Strickland encourages both current and prospective Panthers to take advantage of their time at YC. "My appreciation for York has grown and I've come to realize what a blessing it is to go to a great college."

Mike Buffalo, a 2014 graduate and member of the 2013 NAIA Sweet Sixteen men's basketball team, was recently signed by the Mansfield Giants of the English Basketball League. Buffalo, a native of Yonkers, NY, traveled to England in early November and will begin regular season games soon. Buffalo, who thanks York High School student Morgan Connor for helping reignite his passion for the game, considers himself blessed to leave York College after two years with a degree in hand. "Dr. Mark Moore helped me do what I thought was impossible as a junior college transfer. He pushed me and advised me throughout the entire process," Buffalo says. Mike plans to return to York this upcoming summer to host a youth basketball clinic.