Jayhawks in the Pros (Preseason)
Oct. 18, 2010
Cole Aldrich
Center Cole Aldrich, who played at KU from 2008-10, is in his first season with the Oklahoma City Thunder after being traded on Draft Day this summer. Aldrich has played in four preseason games with the Thunder and is averaging 1.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. His best game this preseason came on Oct. 6, when he scored three points, grabbed seven rebounds and added a pair of steals against the Charlotte Bobcats. Aldrich was originally drafted by the New Orleans Hornets with the 11th overall pick in this year’s draft, but was traded to Oklahoma City.
Darrell Arthur
Forward Darrell Arthur, who played at KU from 2007-08, is in his third season with the Memphis Grizzlies. Arthur is averaging 10.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game in five preseason games, including a 14-point performance against Milwaukee on Sunday evening. Arthur has scored in double figures in each of Memphis’ last three games. In his two professional seasons, he has averaged 5.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while appearing in 108 contests for the Grizzlies. Arthur was selected by Memphis with the 27th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.
Mario Chalmers
Guard Mario Chalmers, who played at KU from 2006-08, is in his third season with the Miami Heat. This preseason, Chalmers is averaging 7.0 points and 4.7 assists per game for the Heat, while battling an ankle injury. The third-year guard has only played in three of Miami’s preseason games, but scored 10 points and had seven assists against Detroit on Oct. 5. In two seasons with Miami, the former Jayhawk has averaged 8.6 points and 4.2 assists per game, while playing in 155 games. Chalmers was drafted by the Heat in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft.
Sherron Collins
Guard Sherron Collins, who played at KU from 2006-10, is in his first season with the Charlotte Bobcats. Collins has appeared in five of Charlotte’s preseason games and is averaging 3.2 points, 2.0 assists and 19.4 minutes. In Sunday’s 97-94 win over Detroit, Collins scored three points and dished out three assists. His playing time will likely increase as the Bobcats waived guard Javaris Crittenton on Friday. Collins was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Bobcats this summer.
Nick Collison
Forward-center Nick Collison, who played at KU from 2000-03, is in his seventh season in the NBA, and his third with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Collison has not played in a preseason game this season due to a knee injury, but is hoping to be ready for the start of the regular season on Oct. 26. In his six seasons in the league, Collison has averaged 7.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. He was the 12th overall pick of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Seattle Supersonics.
Drew Gooden
Forward Drew Gooden, who played at KU from 2000-02, is in his ninth season in the NBA and first with the Milwaukee Bucks. Gooden has played in all six of Milwaukee’s preseason games this fall and is averaging 14.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, while playing 23.2 minutes per game. Gooden broke out for 25 points on a 9-for-15 effort from the field last Thursday in Milwaukee’s 96-88 win over Washington. In eight NBA seasons, Gooden has played for seven teams and has averaged 11.9 points and 7.9 rebounds. He was the fourth overall pick of the 2002 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies.
Xavier Henry
Guard Xavier Henry, who played at KU during the 2009-10 season, is a rookie with the Memphis Grizzlies this season. In his first six preseason contests, Henry is averaging 19.8 minutes, 5.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. In Saturday’s 91-77 win over Milwaukee, Henry scored nine points and grabbed five boards. Henry was the 12th overall pick of this summer’s NBA Draft by the Grizzlies.
Kirk Hinrich
Guard Kirk Hinrich, who played at KU from 2000-03, is in his eighth NBA season and first season with the Washington Wizards. Hinrich played the first seven years of his pro career with the Chicago Bulls. Hinrich has started all six preseason games for the Wizards this year, and is averaging 8.2 points, 3.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game, which includes an eight-point, eight-assist contest against the Atlanta Hawks last Tuesday. In his first eight NBA seasons, Hinrich has averaged 13.4 points and 5.8 assists per game, along with 1.2 steals per contest. The former Kansas guard was the seventh overall pick by the Chicago Bulls in the 2003 NBA Draft.
Darnell Jackson
Forward Darnell Jackson, who played at KU from 2005-08, is in his third NBA season and first with the Sacramento Kings. Jackson has played in four preseason games with the Kings and is averaging 4.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. He played 21 minutes and scored six points with six rebounds against Golden State on Oct. 12. In two NBA seasons, Jackson has averaged 1.2 points and 1.4 rebounds per game, while appearing in 79 contests. Jackson was a second round selection by the Miami Heat in the 2008 NBA Draft, but was traded to Cleveland Cavaliers shortly after the draft.
Paul Pierce
Forward Paul Pierce, who played at KU from 1996-98, is in his 13th season with the Boston Celtics. The former NBA Finals MVP has started five of Boston’s preseason contests and is averaging 13.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He went off for 20 points and nine rebounds against the New York Knicks last Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. In his 12 NBA seasons, Pierce has averaged 22.5 points, 6.1 boards and 3.8 assists per game, played in eight All-Star games and made two appearances in the NBA Finals (2008 and 2010). Pierce was the 10th overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft by the Celtics.
Brandon Rush
Guard Brandon Rush, who played at KU from 2006-08, is in his third season with the Indiana Pacers. Rush has played in just two preseason games this year, and will serve a five-game suspension at the start of the regular season. Rush has scored four points in both of his preseason appearances this year. He has averaged 8.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per game in his first two NBA seasons, which includes a 29-point game against Chicago during his rookie season. Rush was originally drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 13th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft before being traded to Indiana.
Julian Wright
Forward Julian Wright, who played at KU from 2006-07, is in his fourth NBA season and first with the Toronto Raptors. Wright has played in four preseason games with his new team and is averaging 2.5 points, 1.3 assists per game in 8.8 minutes per contest. In three previous seasons with the New Orleans Hornets, Wright has averaged 4.0 points and 2.3 rebounds per game, while appearing in 179 contests. He was originally drafted by New Orleans with the 13th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft following his sophomore year at KU.
