Jayhawks in the Pros (NBA Edition - Preseason #2)
Oct. 25, 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 played in four preseason games with the Thunder and averaged 1.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. His best game this preseason came on Oct. 6, when he grabbed seven rebounds, scored three points 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 averaged 11.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in seven preseason games, including a 14-point, six-rebound performance against Detroit last Friday. Arthur scored in double figures in each of Memphis’ last five 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 averaged 6.0 points and 4.3 assists per game for the Heat, while battling an ankle injury. The third-year guard has only played in four of Miami’s preseason games, but returned to the floor last Thursday to score three points and dish out three assists against Atlanta. 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 appeared in five of Charlotte’s preseason games and averaged 2.6 points, 2.0 assists and 18.1 minutes. In his most recent game, Collins played 21 minutes against Atlanta on Friday, and recorded two points, two assists and two steals. Bobcats head coach Larry Brown gave Collins a vote of confidence last week when he said: “He’s a point guard that can make shots and knows how to play. He’s been well-coached…He’s got to get in great shape.” 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 did not play in a preseason game due to a knee injury, but is hoping to be ready for the start of the regular season tomorrow night. 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 enjoyed a productive preseason, averaging 13.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and over a block per game in eight contests with Milwaukee. In the Bucks’ final pre-season tune up, Gooden scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds in a 119-118 loss to Minnesota. 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 year. In his eight preseason contests, Henry averaged 21.8 minutes, 7.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. Henry broke out during the last week of pre-season games, scoring 15 against New Orleans on Oct. 18 and 13 against Detroit on Thursday. He 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 started all seven preseason games for the Wizards this year, and averaged 9.4 points, 3.6 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game, which included a 17-point, performance against the Detroit Pistons on Oct. 19. In his first eight NBA seasons, Hinrich 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 played in six preseason games and scored 5.7 points and recorded 4.3 rebounds per game. He played 21 minutes, scored seven points and grabbed two rebounds in Sacramento’s win at Utah last Thursday. 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 six of Boston’s preseason contests and averaged 14.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He went off for 20 points and nine rebounds against the New York Knicks on Oct. 12 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 played in just four preseason games this year, and will serve a five-game suspension at the start of the regular season. Rush averaged 7.5 points, and 2.3 rebounds per game in his four exhibition contests, including a 13-point performance at Minnesota on Oct. 19. He has averaged 8.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per game in his first two NBA seasons, which included 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 played in five preseason games, and averaged 3.4 points and 1.2 rebounds in 8.2 minutes per game during the preseason. He tallied seven points in his final preseason game last Thursday against the New York Knicks. In three previous seasons with the New Orleans Hornets, Wright 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.
