Julian Wright

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Julian Wright

| image = 2021年1月3日 Julian Wright 臺北市政府.jpg

| caption =

| team =

| league =

| number =

| draft_round = 1

| draft_pick = 13

| draft_year = 2007

| draft_team = New Orleans Hornets

| position = Power forward / center

| career_start = 2007

| career_end = 2022

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 8

| weight_lbs = 236

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1987|5|20}}

| birth_place = Chicago Heights, Illinois, U.S.

| high_school = Homewood-Flossmoor
(Flossmoor, Illinois)

| college = Kansas (2005–2007)

| years1 = {{nbay|2007|start}}–{{nbay|2009|end}}

| team1 = New Orleans Hornets

| years2 = {{nbay|2010|full=y}}

| team2 = Toronto Raptors

| years3 = 2012

| team3 = Austin Toros

| years4 = 2012–2013

| team4 = Maccabi Rishon LeZion

| years5 = 2013–2014

| team5 = Krasnye Krylia

| years6 = 2014

| team6 = Panathinaikos

| years7 = 2015

| team7 = Bnei Herzliya

| years8 = 2015

| team8 = Cangrejeros de Santurce

| years9 = 2015–2016

| team9 = Trento

| years10 = 2016–2017

| team10 = Trabzonspor

| years11 = 2017–2018

| team11 = Reggiana

| years12 = 2018–2019

| team12 = Metropolitans 92

| years13 = 2020–2021

| team13 = Hsinchu JKO Lioneers

| years14 = 2021–2022

| team14 = Taichung Wagor Suns

| years15 = 2022

| team15 = Plateros de Fresnillo

| highlights = * All-EuroCup Second Team (2016)

NBA D-League champion (2012)
Turkish League All-Star (2017)
Turkish League All-Star MVP (2017)
Israeli League Rebounding Leader (2015)
Third-team All-American – NABC (2007)
Second-team Parade All-American (2005)
McDonald's All-American (2005)
Illinois Mr. Basketball (2005)

}}

Julian Emil-Jamaal Wright (born May 20, 1987) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the University of Kansas. In 2014–15, he was the top rebounder in the Israel Basketball Premier League.

High school career

Julian Wright played competitive basketball at Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor, Illinois. There he led the Vikings to second place in the IHSA state AA tournament his junior year, losing to Peoria Central in the championship game, who were led by future NBA player Shaun Livingston. In 2005, he was selected to the McDonald's All-American team, and he was rated among the top ten basketball players in his class by several recruiting services)See Class of 2005 rankings by [http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=9&c=4&pid=88&cfg=bb&yr=2005 Scout.com] and [http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/viewrank.asp?ra_key=768 Rivals.com]. due to his talent and versatility. At 6'8" and {{convert|225|lb|abbr=on}}, Wright combines good size with excellent athleticism and skills, which allowed him to play numerous positions in high school, including shooting guard, small forward, and power forward.

College career

Wright entered the 2005–2006 NCAA season for the Kansas Jayhawks as the pre-season freshman of the year in the Big 12 Conference. Though he did not start at the beginning of the season, he quickly played his way into the starting power forward slot. His superior athleticism often allowed him to score baskets simply by virtue of his beating the defense down the court. A highlight of his freshman campaign may have been against the University of Texas in the Big 12 Tournament Championship game when he put an exclamation mark on KU's win with two magnificent breakaway slam dunks in the closing minutes of the game. During his freshman season, Wright averaged 8.5 points per game, but he was praised more for his ability to help his team without scoring. He was named to the All-Big 12 tournament Team and the All-Big 12 Freshman Team along with fellow Kansas freshmen Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers. During the 2007 tournament, he was again placed on the All-Tournament Team. Wright garnered national attention for a 33-point performance against the Missouri Tigers.

For his play during the 2006–2007 season, Wright was named a third team All-American by the National Association of Basketball Coaches' All-America Team.[http://www.big12sports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/031007aad.html "Three Big 12 Players Named To NABC All-America Teams"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314223410/http://www.big12sports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/031007aad.html |date=March 14, 2007 }}, Big 12 Conference, March 10, 2007

Despite statements to the contrary, on Monday, April 9, 2007, Wright announced that he was making himself eligible for the NBA draft. He hired an agent, making him ineligible to return to school prior to the draft.

Professional career

Wright was selected as the 13th overall selection in the 2007 NBA draft by the New Orleans Hornets. In his rookie season in the NBA, Wright averaged 3.9 points per game and 2.1 rebounds per game.{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4291/|title=Julian Wright | Toronto | National Basketball Association | Yahoo! Sports|website=sports.yahoo.com}} On October 26, 2009, the Hornets picked up the option on Wright's contract for the 2010–11 season.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/2009/news/10/26/hornets.wright.ap/index.html|title=Hornets exercise option on swingman Wright|website=NBA.com }}

On August 11, 2010, Wright was traded to the Toronto Raptors for Marco Belinelli.{{cite web | url=http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/wright_trade_081110.html |title=Raptors Acquire Wright From New Orleans | work=NBA.com | date=August 11, 2010 | access-date=2010-08-12}}

Wright signed with the Austin Toros of the NBA D-League in February 2012.{{Cite web|url=http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/hawks_nba/2012/feb/28/julian-wright-joins-the-d-league-paul-pi/|title=Julian Wright joins the D-League; Paul Pierce, Mario Chalmers and Markieff Morris take part in All-Star Weekend | 'Hawks in the NBA|website=KUsports.com}}

In October 2012, Wright signed with Maccabi Rishon LeZion of Israel.[http://www.basket.co.il/PlayerPage.asp?PlayerNumber=15&TeamId=844&cYear=2013&lang=en Julian Wright]. basket.co.il

In September 2013, he signed with Krasnye Krylia of the VTB United League.{{cite web|title=Krasnie Krilya adds Wright to their roster, ex Maccabi Rishon|url=http://basketball.eurobasket.com/Russia/news/331593|publisher=Eurobasket.com|access-date=September 5, 2013}}

On October 16, 2014, he signed with Panathinaikos of the Greek League.{{cite news|title=Panathinaikos adds Wright|url=http://www.paobc.gr/page.ashx?pid=2&aid=32169&lang=2|access-date=March 20, 2015|work=paobc.gr|date=October 16, 2014}} On December 31, 2014, Panathinaikos decided to terminate his contract.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/greece/146923/panathinaikos-julian-wright-part-ways.html|title=Panathinaikos, Julian Wright part ways}}

On January 9, 2015, he signed with Bnei Herzliya of the Israeli Premier League for the rest of the season.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/israel/147943/bnei-herzliya-signs-julian-wright-and-deron-washington.html|title=Bnei Herzliya signs Julian Wright and Deron Washington}} In 2014–15, he was the top rebounder in the Israel Basketball Premier League.

On June 8, he signed with Cangrejeros de Santurce of Puerto Rico for the rest of the 2015 BSN season.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/world/america/163313/julian-wright-signs-with-cangrejeros-de-santurce.html|title=Julian Wright signs with Cangrejeros de Santurce}}

On August 4, 2015, Wright joined Italian Serie A side Dolomiti Energia Trento for the 2015–16 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.eurocupbasketball.com/eurocup/news/i/68wd8rabjdkcr5jd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808010237/http://www.eurocupbasketball.com/eurocup/news/i/68wd8rabjdkcr5jd |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 8, 2015 |title=Trento signs big man Wright |author= |date=August 4, 2015 |website=EurocupBasketball.com |access-date=August 4, 2015}}

On July 17, 2016, Wright signed with Turkish club Trabzonspor.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/turkey/206666/julian-wright-signs-with-trabzonspor.html|title=Julian Wright signs with Trabzonspor}} On May 1, 2017, he parted ways with Trabzonspor after averaging 13.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/turkey/233440/trabzonspor-julian-wright-part-ways.html|title=Trabzonspor, Julian Wright part ways}} Three days later, he signed with Italian club Pallacanestro Reggiana for the rest of the 2016–17 Lega Basket Serie A season.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/italy/serie-a/233741/julian-wright-signs-with-reggio-emilia.html|title=Julian Wright signs with Reggio Emilia}}

On September 21, 2017, Pallacanestro Reggiana announced the return of Wright.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/italy/serie-a/247493/julian-wright-returns-to-pallacanestro-reggiana.html|title=Julian Wright returns to Pallacanestro Reggiana}}

On August 30, 2018, Wright signed with Levallois Metropolitans in France.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/proa/731318/julian-wright-signs-with-levallois/|title=Julian Wright signs with Levallois|date=August 30, 2018|website=Eurohoops}} However, in February 2019, Wright left Levallois after a dispute with the team.{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/julian-wright-leaves-levallois-metropolitans-plans-to-play-in-g-league-remainder-of-season/|title=Julian Wright leaves Levallois Metropolitans, plans to play in G League remainder of season - Sportando|first=Emiliano|last=Carchia|newspaper=Sportando |date=February 11, 2019}} He later posted a video on Linkedin explaining the situation.{{cite web|url=https://www.ballersabroad.com/news/julian-wright-publishes-video-on-why-he-left-levallois-metropolitans|title=Julian Wright Publishes Video on Why He Left Levallois Metropolitans |website=BallersAbroad.com|date=11 March 2019|access-date=15 March 2019}}

On September 29, 2020, Wright signed with the Hsinchu Lioneers of the P.League.{{cite news |title=Julian Wright signs in Taiwan with Hsin Chu Lioneers |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/julian-wright-signs-in-taiwan-with-hsin-chu-lioneers/ |website=Sportando |access-date=September 29, 2020 |date=September 29, 2020 |last1=Maggi |first1=Alessandro }}

On December 21, 2021, Wright signed with the Taichung Wagor Suns of the T1 League.{{cite news |title=台中太陽簽下第3位具有NBA資歷洋將萊特 |url=https://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20211221004498-260403?chdtv |accessdate=December 22, 2021 |work=China Times |date=December 21, 2021}}

One May 25, 2022, Wright was drafted by 3's Company as the fifth overall pick in the 2022 BIG3 draft.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-26 |title=2022 BIG3 Draft Recap |url=https://big3.com/news/2022-big3-draft-recap/ |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=BIG3 |language=en-US}}

NBA career statistics

= Regular season =

| align="left" | {{nbay|2007}}

| align="left" | New Orleans

| 57 || 1 || 11.2 || .533 || .417 || .635 || 2.1 || .7 || .5 || .2 || 3.9

| align="left" | {{nbay|2008}}

| align="left" | New Orleans

| 54 || 19 || 14.3 || .466 || .095 || .567 || 2.8 || .8 || .6 || .4 || 4.4

| align="left" | {{nbay|2009}}

| align="left" | New Orleans

| 68 || 14 || 12.8 || .500 || .333 || .610 || 2.1 || .6 || .4 || .3 || 3.8

| align="left" | {{nbay|2010}}

| align="left" | Toronto

| 52 || 6 || 14.7 || .512 || .200 || .512 || 2.3 || 1.1 || .8 || .4 || 3.6

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 231 || 40 || 13.2 || .499 || .262 || .584 || 2.3 || .8 || .6 || .3 || 3.9

= Playoffs =

| align="left" | 2008

| align="left" | New Orleans

| 11 || 0 || 11.9 || .455 || .222 || .833 || 1.6 || .5 || .9 || .1 || 4.3

| align="left" | 2009

| align="left" | New Orleans

| 4 || 0 || 8.0 || .429 || .000 || .500 || 1.5 || .5 || .0 || .3 || 2.0

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 15 || 0 || 10.9 || .451 || .222 || .700 || 1.6 || .5 || .7 || .1 || 3.7

Personal life

His hometown is Chicago Heights, Illinois and he attended Homewood-Flossmoor High School class of 2005.{{cite news| url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/sioncampus/03/21/sweet16.west/index.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070328190304/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/sioncampus/03/21/sweet16.west/index.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=March 28, 2007 | work=CNN | title=SI.com - Campus Reports: West Division - Mar 21, 2007 | date=March 21, 2007 | access-date=May 7, 2010}}

Wright is a bowling hobbyist, and was described by the Kansas City Star as having bowled at the University of Kansas's Jay Bowl "at least one night a week". He owns both a bowling ball and bowling shoes, the latter of which are KU's blue and crimson colors.{{cite web|url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article232767612.html|title=Former KU fan favorite Julian Wright returns to Sprint Center on Saturday|last=Bedore|first=Gary|website=Kansas City Star|date=17 July 2019|accessdate=17 December 2022}}

Awards and highlights

High School

NBA

Led 2008 NBA Playoffs in Steal Pct.

References

External links

{{Basketballstats |nba= 201153 |bbr= w/wrighju01 }}
[http://basketball.latinbasket.com/player/Julian_Wright/74689 eurobasket.com profile]
[https://archive.today/20160612174518/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/gamecent/p/pid/6040823/playerview.html FIBA profile]
[http://www.kuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=122 Kansas Jayhawks bio]

{{navboxes|list=

{{Succession box| title=Illinois Mr. Basketball Award Winner | before=Shaun Livingston| years=2005| after=Jon Scheyer}}

}}

Category:1987 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen

Category:All-American college men's basketball players

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Canada

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Israel

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Italy

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Russia

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Turkey