Cole Aldrich

Last updated

Cole Aldrich
Cole Aldrich.jpg
Cole Aldrich with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2011
Personal information
Born (1988-10-31) October 31, 1988 (age 35)
Burnsville, Minnesota, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight253 lb (115 kg)
Career information
High school Bloomington Jefferson
(Bloomington, Minnesota)
College Kansas (2007–2010)
NBA draft 2010: 1st round, 11th overall pick
Selected by the New Orleans Hornets
Playing career2010–2018
Position Center
Number45, 31
Career history
2010–2012 Oklahoma City Thunder
2010–2011→Tulsa 66ers
2012–2013 Houston Rockets
2013 Sacramento Kings
2013–2015 New York Knicks
2015–2016 Los Angeles Clippers
2016–2018 Minnesota Timberwolves
2018 Tianjin Gold Lions
Career highlights and awards
Career NBA statistics
Points 1,050 (3.1 ppg)
Rebounds 1,131 (3.3 rpg)
Assists 183 (0.5 apg)
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at Basketball-Reference.com

Cole David Aldrich (born October 31, 1988) is an American former professional basketball player. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves. Aldrich played three seasons of college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks before being drafted by the New Orleans Hornets with the 11th overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft.

Contents

Early life

Aldrich was born on October 31, 1988, in Burnsville, Minnesota. [1] His father was a steel metal worker and his mother worked in an embroidery. [2] Aldrich attended Bloomington Jefferson High School in Bloomington, Minnesota. [3] As a senior, he was named state player of the year by the St. Paul Pioneer Press and Minneapolis Star-Tribune. [4]

Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Aldrich was listed as the No. 6 center and the No. 30 player in the nation in 2007. [5]

College career

Freshman season

Cole Aldrich against Iowa State on January 24, 2009 Cole Aldrich cropped.jpg
Cole Aldrich against Iowa State on January 24, 2009

During the 2007–08 season at Kansas, Aldrich's freshman season, his playing time was limited due to playing behind future NBA draft picks Darrell Arthur, Sasha Kaun, and Darnell Jackson. He averaged three rebounds and 2.8 points a game in 8.3 minutes a game during the regular season. Statistically, Aldrich's best performance was an 11-point, 11-rebound outing in a win over Texas Tech on March 3, 2008. [6] Probably the most crucial game for Aldrich was during the Final Four game between Kansas and North Carolina on April 5, 2008, when he played only 16 minutes but managed to grab 8 rebounds and score 7 points along with blocking 4 shots while also playing effective defense against National Player of the Year Tyler Hansbrough, helping lead Kansas into the NCAA national championship game. They then defeated the Memphis Tigers to win their first Championship since 1988. [7]

Sophomore season

With the departure of the other Jayhawk big men to the NBA draft, Aldrich became the premier big man going into his sophomore season. Through the first 29 games, he averaged a double-double with 15.1 points and 10.8 rebounds in 29.7 minutes of play. He grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds in an 87–78 win over Oklahoma on February 23, 2009,. [8] On March 8, 2009, Aldrich was named to the 2008–09 Big 12 All-conference first team. [9]

On March 22, 2009, Aldrich recorded the first official triple-double in the history of Kansas basketball against Dayton in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Aldrich accumulated 13 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 blocks in a 60–43 victory, which was the second triple-double in NCAA history to include blocks, former LSU center Shaquille O'Neal recorded the other. [10] On Monday, April 13, Aldrich announced that he would return to KU for his junior season.

Junior season

He won the 2009–10 men's college basketball Academic All-American of the Year as selected by CoSIDA and presented by ESPN the Magazine . [11] He ended his college career a perfect 55–0 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Professional career

Oklahoma City Thunder (2010–2012)

On March 29, 2010, Aldrich announced that he would forgo his final season of collegiate eligibility and enter the 2010 NBA draft. He was the 11th pick, selected by the New Orleans Hornets, who traded his rights on draft day to the Oklahoma City Thunder. On August 6, 2010, Aldrich signed a two-year contract with the Thunder with a two-year option. [12]

On November 24, 2010, the Thunder assigned Aldrich to the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA D-League. [13] He was recalled on December 6, 2010, [14] but sent back to Tulsa on December 30, 2010. [15] He was again recalled on February 2, 2011, and assigned for a third time on March 30, 2011. [16] Aldrich reached the 2012 NBA Finals with the Thunder, but the team lost to the Miami Heat.

Houston Rockets (2012–2013)

In October 2012, Aldrich, James Harden, Daequan Cook, and Lazar Hayward were traded to the Houston Rockets for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, and draft picks. [17]

Sacramento Kings (2013)

On February 20, 2013, Aldrich was traded to the Sacramento Kings along with Toney Douglas and Patrick Patterson in exchange for Francisco García, Thomas Robinson and Tyler Honeycutt. [18]

New York Knicks (2013–2015)

On September 24, 2013, Aldrich signed with the New York Knicks. [19] On January 29, 2014, he was assigned to the Erie BayHawks. [20] He was recalled the next day. He went on to record his first double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) in his first NBA start on March 12, 2014. [21]

On July 11, 2014, Aldrich re-signed with the Knicks. [22] On April 11, 2015, he scored a career-high 19 points in an 80–79 win over the Orlando Magic. [23]

Los Angeles Clippers (2015–2016)

On July 13, 2015, Aldrich signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. [24] On January 13, 2016, with starting center DeAndre Jordan out, Aldrich had a then season-best game with 19 points and 7 rebounds in a 104–90 win over the Miami Heat. [25] On April 8, 2016, he recorded 21 points and 18 rebounds (both season highs) and a career-high five steals in a 102–99 overtime win over the Utah Jazz. [26]

Minnesota Timberwolves (2016–2018)

On July 13, 2016, Aldrich signed a three-year, $22 million deal with his hometown team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. [27] [28]

On June 30, 2018, Aldrich was waived by the Timberwolves. [29]

On September 18, 2018, Aldrich signed with the Atlanta Hawks [30] but was waived by the Hawks on October 2, 2018, as their first training camp cut. [31]

Tianjin Golden Lions (2018)

On October 10, 2018, Aldrich signed with the Tianjin Golden Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association. [32] He sprained his knee while playing and returned home. [33]

Aldrich planned to have a year-long break from basketball but made the decision to retire after his son was born and the COVID-19 pandemic occurred. [33]

NBA career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2010–11 Oklahoma City 1807.9.533–.5001.9.2.3.41.0
2011–12 Oklahoma City 2606.7.524–.9291.8.1.3.62.2
2012–13 Houston 3007.1.535–.4441.9.2.1.31.7
2012–13 Sacramento 15011.7.568–.7274.2.2.1.93.3
2013–14 New York 4627.2.541–.8672.8.3.2.72.0
2014–15 New York 611616.0.478–.7815.51.2.61.15.5
2015–16 L.A. Clippers 60513.3.596–.7144.8.8.81.15.5
2016–17 Minnesota 6208.6.523–.6822.5.4.4.41.7
2017–18 Minnesota 2102.3.333–.333.7.1.1.00.6
Career3392310.0.527–.7383.3.5.4.73.1

Playoffs

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2012 Oklahoma City 504.9.444–.5002.6.0.0.02.0
2016 L.A. Clippers 6012.8.667–.5005.0.51.0.53.8
Career1109.2.583–.5003.9.3.5.33.0

Personal life

Aldrich lives in Minnesota with his wife and son. [33]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Randolph</span> American basketball player (born 1981)

Zachary McKenley Randolph is an American former professional basketball player. Nicknamed "Z-Bo", the 2-time NBA All-Star played college basketball for the Michigan State Spartans before being drafted in the 2001 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. He played for five teams over the course of his professional career, making the All-NBA Third Team in 2011 with the Memphis Grizzlies. He also played with the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings before retiring in December 2019. Randolph later planned to come out of retirement in 2020 to join the Big3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamal Crawford</span> American basketball player (born 1980)

Aaron Jamal Crawford is an American former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 2000 to 2020. Nicknamed "J-Crossover", he is regarded as one of the best ball handlers in NBA history. Crawford was named NBA Sixth Man of the Year three times, a record he shares with Lou Williams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corey Brewer</span> American basketball player (born 1986)

Corey Wayne Brewer is an American former professional basketball player who serves as a player development coach for the New Orleans Pelicans. He played college basketball for the Florida Gators, winning back-to-back NCAA national championships in 2006 and 2007. He was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2007 NCAA tournament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricky Rubio</span> Spanish basketball player (born 1990)

Ricard Rubio Vives is a Spanish professional basketball player for FC Barcelona of the Spanish Liga ACB and the EuroLeague. Rubio became the youngest player ever to play in the Spanish ACB League on 15 October 2005, at age 14. He made his EuroLeague debut on 24 October 2006, a few days after turning 16, making him one of the youngest players to play in the EuroLeague.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Beasley</span> American basketball player (born 1989)

Michael Paul Beasley Jr. is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He played college basketball for Kansas State University for one year before declaring for the NBA draft in 2008. Beasley was the 2nd pick in the 2008 NBA draft and was selected by the Miami Heat. He is regarded as one of the best freshman college basketball players of the 2000s. Though he is ambidextrous, he shoots left-handed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danilo Gallinari</span> Italian basketball player (born 1988)

Danilo Gallinari is an Italian professional basketball player who last played for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). After spending his first four years as a professional in his native Italy, Gallinari was drafted sixth overall in the 2008 NBA draft by the New York Knicks. He played with the Knicks for two and a half seasons before being traded to the Denver Nuggets in 2011. He has also played for the Los Angeles Clippers, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Atlanta Hawks, the Washington Wizards and the Detroit Pistons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blake Griffin</span> American basketball player (born 1989)

Blake Austin Griffin is an American former professional basketball player. Griffin primarily played with the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and played college basketball for the Oklahoma Sooners, where he was named the consensus national college player of the year as a sophomore. Griffin was selected first overall by the Clippers in the 2009 NBA draft, and was a six-time NBA All-Star and a five-time All-NBA selection. In January 2018, Griffin was traded to the Detroit Pistons and played for them until 2021. In March 2021, Griffin signed with the Brooklyn Nets. In September 2022, Griffin signed with the Boston Celtics, who he stayed with until his retirement in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeAndre Jordan</span> American basketball player (born 1988)

Hyland DeAndre Jordan Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played one season of college basketball for the Texas A&M Aggies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darnell Jackson</span> American basketball player (born 1985)

Darnell Edred Jackson is an American former professional basketball player, who is currently an assistant coach for the San Diego Clippers of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the University of Kansas for four seasons, including the 2008 national championship team. He did not become a regular starter at Kansas until the 2007–08 season, when he replaced Sasha Kaun in the starting lineup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lance Stephenson</span> American basketball player (born 1990)

Lance Stephenson Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G League. He attended Lincoln High School in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, where he was named Mr. New York Basketball after his senior year and appeared in the 2009 McDonald's All-American Game. He later played college basketball for the Cincinnati Bearcats and was selected in the second round of the 2010 NBA draft by the Indiana Pacers. He is widely known for his wily and unique playstyle, which includes flashy passing, quick drives to the rim, and humorous celebrations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin Rivers</span> American basketball player (born 1992)

Austin James Rivers is an American former professional basketball player who last played for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Rivers led Winter Park High School to back-to-back Florida 6A state championships in 2010 and 2011. He also played in the 2011 Nike Hoop Summit for the Team USA, and was a McDonald's All-American.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JaMychal Green</span> American basketball player (born 1990)

JaMychal Green is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Green started his career in the G League and overseas before signing his first NBA contract with the San Antonio Spurs in 2015. He also played for the Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, and Denver Nuggets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derrick Williams (basketball)</span> American basketball player (born 1991)

Derrick LeRon Williams is an American professional basketball player who last played for Panathinaikos of the Greek Basket League and the EuroLeague. He played college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats from 2009 to 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus Morris Sr.</span> American basketball player (born 1989)

Marcus Thomas Morris Sr. is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The forward played college basketball at Kansas before being drafted 14th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2011 NBA draft. He has also played for the Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Philadelphia 76ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Robinson (basketball)</span> American Lebanese basketball player

Thomas Earl Robinson is an American-born naturalised Lebanese professional basketball player who last played for Pelita Jaya Bakrie of the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL). A consensus All-American at the University of Kansas, Robinson was drafted fifth overall in the 2012 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rudy Gobert</span> French basketball player (born 1992)

Rudy Gobert-Bourgarel is a French professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He previously played for the Utah Jazz who acquired him during the 2013 NBA draft. Gobert also represents the French national team in its international competitions. Standing at 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) tall with a wingspan of 7 ft 9 in (2.36 m) long, he plays the center position. He is regarded as one of the best defensive players of all time

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nerlens Noel</span> American basketball player (born 1994)

Nerlens Noel is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). His collegiate basketball career ended in his first season with a tear of his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) at the University of Kentucky. Noel was drafted with the sixth overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft by the New Orleans Pelicans. His rights were later traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. He plays center and power forward, and was one of the top high school basketball players in the class of 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Wiggins</span> Canadian basketball player (born 1995)

Andrew Christian Wiggins is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected with the first overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers after one year of college basketball with the Kansas Jayhawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karl-Anthony Towns</span> Dominican-American basketball player (born 1995)

Karl-Anthony Towns Jr., also known by the initialed nickname KAT, is a Dominican-American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats. Towns was named to the Dominican Republic national team as a 16-year-old. He was selected with the first overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, and went on to be named NBA Rookie of the Year for the 2015–16 season. He has received four All-Star selections, and won the 2021–22 NBA Three-Point Contest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wayne Selden Jr.</span> American basketball player (born 1994)

Wayne Anthony Selden Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Chorale Roanne. He played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks.

References

  1. ↑ "Cole Aldrich Isn't Wasting Time Giving Back". NBA. September 7, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Aldrich Brings Toughness, Dedication to Defensive End". NBA. July 9, 2010. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  3. ↑ Krawczynski, Jon (July 14, 2016). "Cole Aldrich, former Jayhawk: 'I've been a Timberwolves fan my whole life'". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Online Home of Cole Aldrich" . Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  5. ↑ Cole Aldrich Recruiting Profile Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Cole Aldrich Kansas Jayhawks Game Log (2007–08)". ESPN. 2008. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  7. ↑ "North Carolina battles back, but Rush, Kansas close out Tar Heels". ESPN. April 6, 2008. Archived from the original on April 8, 2008. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  8. ↑ "Taylor, Collins score 26 each as Jayhawks hand Sooners second straight loss". ESPN. February 24, 2009. Archived from the original on February 28, 2009. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  9. ↑ Bedore, Gary (March 8, 2009). "Jayhawks well-represented on coaches' Big 12 teams". Lawrence Journal-World. The World Company. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  10. ↑ "Aldrich's 13 points, 20 boards, 10 blocked shots lead KU to Sweet 16". ESPN. Associated Press. March 22, 2009. Archived from the original on March 25, 2009. Retrieved March 23, 2009.
  11. ↑ "Junior center Cole Aldrich of Kansas, Thomas More senior guard Daniel McKeehan lead ESPN the Magazine's Academic All-America Men's Basketball Teams". CoSIDA. February 22, 2010. Archived from the original on February 26, 2010. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Cole Aldrich signs with Thunder". Associated Press. August 6, 2010. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Thunder Assign Aldrich To Tulsa 66ers". Archived from the original on November 25, 2010. Retrieved November 25, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Thunder Recall Aldrich From D-League". Archived from the original on December 19, 2010. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Thunder Assign Aldrich To D-League". December 30, 2010. Archived from the original on January 2, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  16. ↑ "Most Popular E-mail Newsletter". USA Today. March 30, 2011. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Thunder Acquires Martin, Lamb and Multiple Draft Picks from Rockets" . Retrieved October 28, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Kings Complete Multiplayer Trade". NBA.com. February 20, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  19. ↑ "New York Knicks sign center Cole Aldrich". Archived from the original on September 25, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  20. ↑ Knicks assign Cole Aldrich, Toure Murry, Jeremy Tyler to D-League Retrieved January 29, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Cole Aldrich, nearly four years after being drafted in lottery, gets double-double in first career start". NBC Sports. March 12, 2014. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Knicks Re-Sign Cole Adrich". NBA.com . July 11, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Knicks hold off Magic, teams set NBA scoring low for quarter". NBA.com. April 11, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Clippers Sign Austin Rivers and Cole Aldrich". NBA.com. July 13, 2015. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  25. ↑ "Clippers win 10th straight, beat Heat 104–90 without Jordan". NBA.com. January 13, 2016. Archived from the original on March 31, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  26. ↑ "Crawford scores 30, including winner to lead Clippers". NBA.com. April 8, 2016. Archived from the original on April 8, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  27. ↑ "TIMBERWOLVES SIGN CENTER COLE ALDRICH". NBA.com. July 13, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Cole Aldrich agrees to 3-year, $22 million contract with Timberwolves". SBNation.com. July 3, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
  29. ↑ "Timberwolves waive center Cole Aldrich". ESPN.com. June 30, 2018. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Atlanta Hawks Sign Cole Aldrich". NBA.com. September 18, 2018. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Atlanta Hawks Request Waivers on Cole Aldrich". NBA.com. 2018. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  32. ↑ "Cole Aldrich officially signs with Tianjin Gold Lions". Sportando. Archived from the original on October 20, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  33. 1 2 3 Cacciola, Scott (October 3, 2022). "This Is What Life After the N.B.A. Looks Like". The New York Times. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.