Tide Hoops Players Having Successful NBA Seasons

By Kyle Murphy, UA Media Relations

 

The University of Alabama has continued its tradition of seeing many of its athletes compete at the next level, especially on the basketball court. Currently, the Crimson Tide has four former players in the NBA. That list consists of Robert Horry, Antonio McDyess, Gerald Wallace and Maurice “Mo” Williams.

Alabama has seen 38 of its former players don NBA jerseys, including its all-time leading scorer Reggie King (Kansas City Kings, Seattle Supersonics), T.R. Dunn (Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Hornets), Leon Douglas (Detroit Pistons, Kansas City Kings) and Derrick McKey (Seattle Supersonics, Indiana Pacers, and Philadelphia 76ers).

Robert Horry, who suited up for the Tide from 1989-92, is a six-time NBA World Champion currently playing for the San Antonio Spurs. He earned the name “Big Shot Bob” for some of his clutch postseason performances. Horry is only the second NBA player to ever win a title with three different teams. He won two titles with the Houston Rockets in 1994 and 1995, three with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000, 2001 and 2002, and most recently, one title with the Spurs in 2005. He continues to be an important role player with the Spurs, who are currently one of the NBA’s top teams. Horry is averaging 3.8 points per game and 3.5 rebounds per game through 60 games this season. He is playing in his 15^th NBA season.

2002’s National Freshman of the Year, Maurice “Mo” Williams has developed into one of the top young point guards in the NBA today. Drafted by the Utah Jazz in 2003, he signed with the Milwaukee Bucks as a free agent prior to the 2004-05 season. In only his fourth NBA season, Williams has started all 57 games he has played in so far. He currently averages 17.7 points per game and 6.3 assists per game, an assist total that ranks in the top 15 in the league.

Gerald Wallace, currently in his sixth NBA season, is one of the most explosive players in the game today. He was a first round draft pick by the Sacramento Kings in the 2001 NBA Draft, and is currently one of the leaders of a young Charlotte Bobcats squad. Wallace leads the team with 17.1 points per game, and has started all 62 games he has played in this season.

Antonio McDyess, one of the top rebounders in Alabama history, is in his 11^th NBA season, and currently suits up for one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams, the Detroit Pistons. McDyess has played for the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. He currently averages 7.0 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game for the Pistons this season. McDyess was also an Olympian on the 2000 USA Gold Medal Team.

With the talent coming into Tuscaloosa on a yearly basis, the NBA can expect more and more Crimson Tide stars for years to come.

University of Alabama Athletics

Tide Hoops Players Having Successful NBA Seasons

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