When two local rivals take the court, the intensity is unmatched—and for former Cincinnati Bearcats star Simas Lukošius and ex-Xavier Musketeers guard Dante Maddox Jr., that December clash was just the beginning of something bigger. Now, both players are turning heads on the international stage, proving that the talent from the Queen City travels well.
Back on December 14, 2024, the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout at Fifth Third Arena delivered a thriller, with UC edging Xavier 68-65. Lukošius led all Bearcats scorers with 14 points, while Maddox came off the bench for the Musketeers, contributing two points and three rebounds. Fast forward a few months, and both have collected MVP honors overseas—a testament to their grit and skill.
Maddox, who played just the 2024-25 season at Xavier after stops at Cal State-Fullerton and Toledo, has been named MVP of the BNXT League, the premier basketball competition in Belgium and the Netherlands. Suiting up for Okapi Aalst in Belgium, he averaged an impressive 24.9 points per game, shooting a blistering 46.9% from beyond the arc and 88.6% from the free-throw line. His best outing as a Musketeer came against Providence, where he dropped 26 points on 6-of-9 three-point shooting.
Meanwhile, Lukošius—a sharpshooter under former UC coach Wes Miller—earned MVP honors at the Basketball Champions League Final Four while playing for Rytas Vilnius in Lithuania. In a dramatic comeback, Rytas Vilnius erased a 20-point deficit to defeat AEK BC in Spain, with Lukošius nailing seven three-pointers and finishing with 23 points. "I feel amazing," he said in a postgame report. "I can't say what happened because I still have to figure it out myself. Our work throughout the season has paid off today. I'm just so happy for the team and for everyone around this amazing club. We made something special."
Born in Lithuania but half-German, Lukošius has also drawn interest from the German national team, with their coach attending his clutch performance in Spain. It's a dream he's eager to pursue, and his recent heroics only strengthen his case.
From the Crosstown Shootout to European glory, these two former rivals are showing that hardwood success knows no borders. Whether you're repping Bearcats red or Musketeers blue, it's a proud moment for Cincinnati basketball fans everywhere.