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Wilson Chandler

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Wilson Chandler
New York Knicks
PositionForward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1987-05-10) May 10, 1987 (age 37)
Benton Harbor, Michigan
NationalityUSA
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High schoolBenton Harbor High School, Michigan
CollegeDePaul
NBA draft2007: 23rd overall
Selected by the New York Knicks
Playing career2007–present
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at NBA.com
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at Basketball-Reference.com

Wilson Chandler (born May 10, 1987 in Benton Harbor, Michigan) is an American basketball player currently with the New York Knicks. He played college basketball at DePaul University for two years before declaring for the NBA Draft. Chandler is listed at 6 ft 8 in. and 230 lbs. He plays the forward position. Chandler has exceptional leaping ability, finishes well at the basket, and is improving his mid-range jumper.[1] His NBA comparison is Joey Graham.[2] He played for the Knicks in the NBA Summer League.[3]

Early life

While he was growing up in Michigan, Chandler's mother and father had problems. They thought it would be best for him to live with his grandmother.[4] Chandler started playing basketball at Fairplain East Elementary School (in Benton Harbor, Michigan) when he was in fifth grade. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were his favorite players.

High school career

Chandler went to Benton Harbor High School in Michigan. He received Michigan All-State mentions as a sophomore and junior, while averaging 22.4 points and 12 rebounds as a junior.[5] He helped the Tigers to a 19-4 record. He was also named to the first team All-State by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan. As a senior, he averaged 24 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks per game. That year, Chandler and the Tigers went undefeated during the regular season and were ranked #1 in the state. Chandler was named Michigan's Mr. Basketball.

College career

Freshman

During his freshman season at DePaul, he achieved an average of 10.6 points and 7.2 rebounds (ranked 10th in the Big East) per game. He earned Big East Rookie of the Week honors twice that season. He was also named to the Big-East freshman team. Chandler scored 20 or more points 4 times, with a career-high of 26.

Sophomore

During his sophomore season, he averaged 14.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. As a sophomore, Chandler was named to the Big-East all second team, and recorded eight double-doubles, while leading the team to a 20-win season. They made it to the quarterfinals of the NIT, but couldn't go on any further. He left the college tenth on DePaul's all-time list for blocked shots with 86.[6]

Professional career

Pre-Draft

In April 2007, Wilson Chandler decided to enter his name in the 2007 NBA Draft after careful consideration.[7] He, his coach Jerry Wainwright, and his family all talked about his future and decided it was the best decision for Chandler.

He had not worked out for many teams prior to the draft, including the New York Knicks.[8] He got injured in Atlanta before he could workout for any other teams. But the Knicks talked to Chandler's agent and told him they were interested in him. Isiah Thomas, the team's general manager, had very good contacts at DePaul University and knew about Chandler from watching him play in college.[9]

Draft

On June 28, 2007, Chandler was taken 23rd overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks.

Many Knicks fans were pleased with Isiah Thomas, picking Chandler in the draft. They hope Chandler will be the next solid late first-round pick by Thomas.[10] In the 2005 draft, he chose David Lee, and one year later he selected Renaldo Balkman. Both have had success playing for the Knicks.

NBA Summer League

The Knicks were one of 21 teams in the NBA to participate in the National Basketball Association Summer League. They played five games and won all five of them. Here are the scores and Wilson Chandler's game statistics:

  • Game 1 - Knicks defeated the Seattle SuperSonics 87-74; Chandler had 12 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block.[11]
  • Game 2 - Knicks defeated Team China 88-65; Chandler had eight points, five rebounds, three assists, and one block.[12]
  • Game 3 - Knicks defeated the Sacramento Kings 96-84; Chandler had 15 points, four rebounds, one assist, two steals, and four blocks.[13]
  • Game 4 - Knicks defeated the Golden State Warriors 91-87; Chandler had 17 points, three rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block.[14]
  • Game 5 - Knicks defeated the Denver Nuggets 116-108; Chandler had 15 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, and three blocks.[15]

Notable games

  • He had a career-high 16 rebounds during a game against Dayton on December 10, 2005. The 16 rebounds were the most by a DePaul freshman since Quentin Richardson had 16 against Saint Louis on February 11, 1999.
  • On November 30, 2005, during the Blue Demons' victory over Creighton, Chandler led the team with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots.[16]

Accomplishments and awards

  • 2005 Mr. Basketball of Michigan
  • Big-East Conference All-Rookie team
  • Won the Wendell Smith Award as the MVP of the first DePaul-Notre Dame game

Trivia

  • Chandler's favorite movie is "He Got Game"
  • During a game against Wake Forest while he was in college, one of his dunks was #3 on SportsCenter's Top Ten Plays.
  • He did not go to his senior prom.[17]
  • Before entering the NBA draft, Chandler hired Chris Grier as his agent.[18]
  • Wilson signed a show endorsment with the Pony Brand. 70s high flyer Favid Thompson and Spud Webb both wore the shoes in games.

Notes

  1. ^ http://www.nba.com/draft2007/profiles/WilsonChandler.html
  2. ^ http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/wilsonchandler.html
  3. ^ http://www.nba.com/knicks/news/summerleague_preview_070706.html
  4. ^ http://www.nypost.com/seven/07012007/sports/knicks/serby_s_sunday_qa_with___wilson_chandler_knicks_.htm
  5. ^ http://www.depaulbluedemons.com/player.asp?CatID=2&ID=343
  6. ^ http://msg.com/content_news.jsp?articleID=v0000msgn20070628T174111865&newsgroup=ap.sportsml.columnist.article&sports=basketball&team=Knicks&league=nba
  7. ^ http://depaul.scout.com/2/634980.html
  8. ^ http://www.nba.com/knicks/news/chandler_transcript_070628.html
  9. ^ http://www.nba.com/knicks/news/ithomas_070629.html
  10. ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nba&id=2920468
  11. ^ http://www.nba.com/summerleague2007/games/boxscore.jsp?gameId=1520700016
  12. ^ http://www.nba.com/summerleague2007/games/boxscore.jsp?gameId=1520700022
  13. ^ http://www.nba.com/summerleague2007/games/boxscore.jsp?gameId=1520700034
  14. ^ http://www.nba.com/summerleague2007/games/boxscore.jsp?gameId=1520700046
  15. ^ http://www.nba.com/summerleague2007/games/boxscore.jsp?gameId=1520700051
  16. ^ http://depaul.rivals.com/bboxscore.asp?game=16102
  17. ^ http://www.nypost.com/seven/07012007/sports/knicks/serby_s_sunday_qa_with___wilson_chandler_knicks_.htm?page=2
  18. ^ http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?p=2116348
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