May 17, 2012

You are here: Home / Archives for NBA

Four former Clemson players open NBA training camp

September 27, 2010 By

Trevor Booker

First-round draft pick Trevor Booker headlines a group of four former Clemson players set to begin workouts in NBA training camps on Tuesday. Booker will be in camp for the Washington Wizards, while three former teammates have also been invited to work out for various teams. Vernon Hamilton is in camp for the Detroit Pistons, James Mays with the Golden State Warriors, and Raymond Sykes with the Portland Trailblazers.

Booker was the first senior chosen and the 23rd player selected overall in the June draft. He was initially drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves, but quickly traded to the Wizards on draft night. Booker was the seventh first-round selection in Clemson history, but the program’s first since Sharone Wright in 1994.

Booker was a first-team All-ACC selection this past season and concluded his career as a two-time All-ACC Defensive Team choice as well. He finished his career in the top five in Clemson history in points (1,725), rebounds (1,060) and blocked shots (249). Booker averaged 8.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game for the Wizards in the Las Vegas Summer League after he was drafted.

Hamilton has been invited to an NBA training camp for the second time in three seasons. In 2008, he camped with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is Clemson’s all-time (271) and single-season (83) steals leader and was a four-year starter at point guard from 2003-07. He was named to the ACC’s All-Defensive Team in 2006.

Mays will also camp with an NBA team for the second time since his playing days at Clemson. He was a 2008 camp invitee with the Denver Nuggets, who then placed him in the NBA Development League franchise in Colorado. Mays was averaging a double-double with Colorado of the NBDL before an Achilles injury forced him out of basketball for a year. He played the 2009-10 season overseas, first in China and then Puerto Rico.

Sykes was in training camp last fall with the Phoenix Suns. He went on to average 10.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game for the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBDL in 2009-10. Sykes totaled 503 points and played 124 games for the Tiger program from 2005-09.

Filed Under: Clemson Tigers, NBA Tagged With: , , ,

Former Clemson, NBA player Whitney hired by Bobcats

September 27, 2010 By

Chris Whitney has been named the director of player development for the Charlotte Bobcats. Whitney, who played at Clemson from 1991-93, will provide guidance to Bobcats players by helping them develop life skills, both professionally and socially, while assisting in planning for life after basketball.

Whitney played in 58 games for the Tigers after transferring from the junior college ranks. He made 167 three-point goals in two seasons, shooting 41 percent from long range. He still ranks seventh in Clemson history in career three-point goals, despite playing just two seasons. He is atop the Tiger record books in three-pointers per game (2.88) and second in school history in assists per game (6.1).

After his playing career at Clemson, Whitney was selected in the second round (No. 47 overall) of the 1993 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs. He played 11 seasons in the NBA for four different teams and averaged 6.5 points per game. He played eight seasons with the Washington Wizards (formerly Bullets), where he remains the team’s all-time leader in free throw percentage (.885) and third in three-point goals (481).

While playing for the Wizards, Whitney created the C-WHIT (Children with Hope in Tomorrow) Foundation to assist programs dedicated to helping children in Washington, D.C. and his hometown of Hopkinsville, KY. He was runner-up for the NBA’s Sportsmanship Award in 2000-01.

Filed Under: Clemson Tigers, NBA Tagged With:

Booker wraps up impressive summer

July 19, 2010 By
Trevor Booker

Trevor Booker

Former Clemson forward Trevor Booker wrapped up play at the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League on Saturday afternoon. Booker started all five games and helped the Wizards to a 4-1 record, with their only defeat coming in overtime to the New York Knicks without starters John Wall and Javale McGee.

Booker, who led Clemson to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and was a first-team All-ACC performer as a senior in 2009-10, tied for the team lead in blocked shots (5) and was second on the summer league squad in steals (7). He also averaged 8.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. He made 52 percent of his field goal attempts and 69 percent from the free throw stripe.

In the final game in Vegas, the Whitmire, SC native posted highs for the week with 15 points and seven rebounds in the loss to the Knicks. He was 5-for-10 from the floor and 5-for-5 at the charity stripe.

Booker was the No. 23 overall selection in the first round of last month’s NBA Draft. He was the first senior chosen and the first Clemson player drafted in the first round since Sharone Wright was taken sixth in 1994.

The Wizards’ 2010-11 schedule will be announced by the NBA next month.

Filed Under: Clemson Tigers, NBA

Devon Downey helps Kings beat Lakers

July 14, 2010 By

Former USC star point guard Devon Downey scored 11 points for the Kings in an NBA summer league game against the Lakers last night in Las Vegas.  The Kings won the game 80-84.

Downey, who signed with Sacramento as a free agent, made four of seven shots from the floor and was three of six from the free throw line.  He also had five assist and three steals.  He finished the game with two rebounds and had three turnovers.  He played 22 minutes in the win.

Former Kentucky standout DeMarcus Cousins stole the show.  He finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds.  You can check out all of the highlights here.

Downey made his debut with the Kings on Monday night and didn’t score in just four minutes of action.  He has to be pleased with the extended playing time and production in his second outing.

The Kings will play against the Timberwolves tonight.

Filed Under: NBA, USC Gamecocks Tagged With:

Booker off and running with Wizards summer team

July 13, 2010 By
Trevor Booker

Trevor Booker

Former Clemson standout Trevor Booker’s career with the Washington Wizards is underway.  Booker has started each of the team’s first two summer league games. 

Booker’s debut was Sunday against Golden State.  He played 27 minutes in that game and scored nine points.  He grabbed three rebounds and had two blocks and three steals.  One the down side he finished with five fouls and turned the ball over three times. 

Still, not too shabby for his first game with pro competition. Yes, I know it is summer league competition which is about 1/8 as good as what he will see during the regular season in the League.

Booker followed that debut game with a start against the Clippers last night.  He played 25 minutes in that game and scored eight points.  He also had four rebounds (two offensives and two defensive) one block and one steal.  He had three turnovers and two fouls.

If you want to follow Booker’s numbers during his summer league games you can do so here.  We will do our best to keep up with the players with state ties that have a shot to catch on with an NBA team.  Booker, being a first round draft pick, will certainly be on the Wizards squad this season.

Filed Under: Clemson Tigers, NBA Tagged With:
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »