Jayhawks in the Pros (NBA Edition - Regular Season #1)
Nov. 1, 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 his first regular season game with the Thunder last week. On Oct. 31 against the Utah Jazz, Aldrich played 11 minutes, scoring five points and pulling down two rebounds. 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 started all three games for the Grizzlies last week where he averaged 17.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game, including a 18-point, six-rebound performance against Minnesota last Saturday. Arthur has scored in double figures in all of Memphis’ games this season. 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. Chalmers recorded an assist and a steal while playing limited minutes in the Heat’s first three games. Chalmers is still recovering from a high ankle sprain that limited him in the preseason. 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 yet to appear for the Bobcats this season. Collins looks to work his way up in the depth chart where is currently third among point guards behind D.J. Augustin and Shaun Livingston. 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 the first three games for the Thunder due to a knee injury. Collison is expected to miss the first three weeks of the season. 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 started in all three of Milwaukee’s games last week where he averaged 10.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists. In the Bucks’ season opener against New Orleans, Gooden played 33 minutes, scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 95-91 loss to the Hornets. 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. Henry saw limited minutes in two of the Grizzlies’ first three games this season, averaging 13.0 minutes, 6.0 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. Henry was effective in the Grizzlies’ season opener, hitting all three field goals he attempted in a 119-104 loss to Atlanta. 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 both games for the Wizards last week averaging 37.5 minutes per game. He was productive, averaging 10.0 points, 3.0 assists and 1.5 rebounds per game. 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 all three games for the Kings last week where he averaged 6.0 points and recorded 3.0 rebounds per game. He played 22 minutes, scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds in Sacramento’s loss at New Jersey last Friday. Sacramento head coach Paul Westphal praised Jackson’s ability and is excited to see him improve throughout the season. “He is going to have a good role on our team,” Westphal said. 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 started the first three games for the Celtics this year and averaged 19.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Pierce had a game-high 14 rebounds in the Celtics’ 105-101 win against New York last Friday. 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 missed all three games to start the season due to a five-game suspension. Rush looks to return Tuesday, Nov. 9, against Denver. 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 saw limited time in the second game of the season against Cleveland recording a block and playing four minutes. 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.
