Darius Bazley

Last updated

Darius Bazley
Darius Bazley (51816114214) (cropped).jpg
Bazley with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2022
No. 21–Utah Jazz
Position Power forward
League NBA
Personal information
Born (2000-06-12) June 12, 2000 (age 23)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight216 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school
NBA draft 2019: 1st round, 23rd overall pick
Selected by the Utah Jazz
Playing career2019–present
Career history
2019–2023 Oklahoma City Thunder
2023 Phoenix Suns
2023–2024 Delaware Blue Coats
2024 Philadelphia 76ers
2024 →Delaware Blue Coats
2024–present Utah Jazz
2024 →Salt Lake City Stars
Career highlights and awards
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at Basketball-Reference.com

Darius Denayr Bazley (born June 12, 2000) is an American professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He attended Princeton High School in Sharonville, Ohio after playing his first two years at Finneytown High School. He was a consensus five-star recruit and the top prospect in his state, earning McDonald's All-American honors in 2018.

Contents

Bazley initially committed to and signed with Syracuse but later chose to bypass college with intentions of joining the NBA G League, a decision that drew national attention. However, he instead chose to train independently as an intern for New Balance throughout the season leading up to the 2019 NBA draft. In the draft, he was selected 23rd overall by the Utah Jazz before immediately being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies and then to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Bazley spent four seasons with the Thunder before being traded to the Phoenix Suns in 2023.

High school career

Bazley began playing high school basketball at Finneytown High School in Springfield Township, Ohio. He was ruled ineligible for the first half of his freshman season. [1] As a sophomore, Bazley started drawing interest from several college programs, including Ohio State and West Virginia. [2] On December 19, 2015, he posted 25 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks against Woodward High School. [2] After averaging 15.8 points, 12.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.4 blocks and 1.5 steals, he was named to the Division III Southwest Ohio all-district second team. [3] [4]

Entering his junior campaign, Bazley was the top-ranked player in Ohio. [4] In July 2016, it was announced that he would transfer to Princeton High School in Sharonville, Ohio. [5] He was sidelined for his first 11 games because of transfer rules. [6] In August, Bazley committed to Ohio State, being rated a four-star recruit by 247Sports at the time. [7] On January 11, 2017, he debuted for Princeton, recording 11 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals in a loss at the Flyin' To The Hoop Invitational. [8] In April, Bazley announced his de-commitment from Ohio State due to his desire for a "bigger stage." [9] About two months later, he committed to Syracuse, and in November, he signed a letter of intent. [10] [11] On January 16, 2018, in his senior season, Bazley was named to the West team for the 2018 McDonald's All-American Boys Game. [12] On January 19, he led his Princeton team with 24 points in a nationally televised game against top recruit Romeo Langford and New Albany High School. [13] Bazley also took part in the Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit in April. [14] [15]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
Darius Bazley
SF 		Cincinnati, OH Princeton (OH)6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)200 lb (91 kg)Jul 3, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A    Rivals: 5 stars.svg     247Sports: 5 stars.svg     ESPN: 5 stars.svg    ESPN grade: 93
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 18   247Sports: 23   ESPN: 13
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2018 Syracuse Orange Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  • "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 18, 2018.

Professional career

On March 30, 2018, Bazley announced that he would skip college with plans to join the NBA G League directly from high school. [16] In April, he hired sports agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group. [17] Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim, who Bazley was expected to play under in college before the move, responded, "I hope he does great. But I don't think it's the way it will be. I think it will be proven it's not the way to get to the NBA." [18] On August 27, Bazley announced that he would drop his G League plans altogether, opting instead to train on his own for the season. [19] On October 25, he began a three-month internship with New Balance worth $1 million. [20] After concluding his internship, Bazley became one of the first players to enter the 2019 NBA draft, [21] [22] later being named one of 77 overall prospects invited to the 2019 NBA Draft Combine. [23]

Oklahoma City Thunder (2019–2023)

Bazley was drafted 23rd overall by the Utah Jazz but was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, [24] who then traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder. [25] On November 15, 2019, Bazley made his NBA debut, recording five points in a 127–119 overtime win over the Philadelphia 76ers. [26] On August 9, 2020, he scored a season-high 23 points, along with seven rebounds, in a 121–103 win over the Washington Wizards. [27]

On April 19, 2021, Bazley logged a season-high 26 points, along with seven rebounds and three assists, in a 107–119 loss to the Washington Wizards. [28] Two days later, he matched this total alongside nine rebounds in a 116–122 loss to the Indiana Pacers. [29]

On March 13, 2022, Bazley recorded a career-high 29 points, along with ten rebounds, in a 118–125 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. [30] On March 28, he was ruled out for the remainder of the 2021–22 season with a tibial plateau fracture in his right knee. [31]

Phoenix Suns (2023)

On February 9, 2023, Bazley was traded to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Dario Šarić, a 2029 second-round pick and cash considerations. [32]

On July 16, 2023, Bazley signed with the Brooklyn Nets, [33] but was waived on October 19. [34]

Philadelphia 76ers / Delaware Blue Coats (2023–2024)

On December 8, 2023, Bazley joined with the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League [35] and on February 20, 2024, he signed a 10-day contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. [36] On March 1, he returned to Delaware. [37]

Utah Jazz (2024–present)

On March 12, 2024, Bazley signed with the Utah Jazz. [38]

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

NBA

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2019–20 Oklahoma City 61918.5.394.348.6944.0.7.4.75.6
2020–21 Oklahoma City 555531.2.396.290.7027.21.8.5.513.7
2021–22 Oklahoma City 695327.9.422.297.6886.31.4.81.010.8
2022–23 Oklahoma City 36115.4.449.400.5543.4.9.5.85.4
2022–23 Phoenix 708.7.480.250.4002.3.9.4.74.0
2023–24 Philadelphia 303.3.000——.3.7.0.0.0
2023–24 Utah 6023.7.621.250.8334.5.81.01.28.0
Career23711823.4.414.309.6775.21.2.6.78.9

Playoffs

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2020 Oklahoma City 7018.0.419.500.9006.7.9.0.46.6
Career7018.0.419.500.9006.7.9.0.46.6

Related Research Articles

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

Rudy Carlton Gay Jr. is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The forward played college basketball for the UConn Huskies before being selected eighth overall in the 2006 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets; he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies days later.

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

Jeffrey Lynn Green, nicknamed Uncle Jeff, is an American professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). As of 2023, he has played for 11 NBA teams in 15 seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hasheem Thabeet</span> Tanzanian basketball player (born 1987)

Hasheem Thabeet is a Tanzanian professional basketball player. He played college basketball for UConn before being drafted second overall in the 2009 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. His performance as a second overall draft pick has led many analysts to label him as one of the "biggest busts" in NBA history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Conley Jr.</span> American basketball player (born 1987)

Michael Alex Conley Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was drafted as the fourth overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. Conley spent 12 seasons with the Grizzlies and became the team's all-time leading scorer before being traded to the Utah Jazz in 2019, then traded again to the Timberwolves in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tibor Pleiß</span> German basketball player (born 1989)

Tibor Pleiß is a German professional basketball player for Anadolu Efes of the Turkish Super League and the EuroLeague. Standing 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m), he plays the center position. He is also a member of the German national team.

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

Michael Peter Muscala is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Bucknell Bison.

<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">Steven Adams</span> New Zealand basketball player

Steven Funaki Adams is a New Zealand professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). After playing one season with the Wellington Saints, in 2011, Adams moved to the United States in 2012 to play college basketball for Pittsburgh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dante Exum</span> Australian basketball player (born 1995)

Dante Exum is an Australian professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He chose to bypass college and was ultimately selected by the Utah Jazz with the fifth overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grayson Allen</span> American basketball player (born 1995)

Grayson James Allen is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played four years of college basketball at Duke University, where he helped Duke win a national championship in 2015. He has often been called one of Duke's best players of the 2010s. Allen was drafted with the 21st overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz, where he played for one season before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in July 2019. In August 2021, Allen was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he played for two seasons before being traded to the Suns in September 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devonte' Graham</span> American basketball player (born 1995)

Devonte' Terrell Graham is an American professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks. He played high school basketball for Needham Broughton High School.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">De'Anthony Melton</span> American basketball player (born 1998)

De'Anthony Melton, nicknamed "Mr. Do Something", is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the USC Trojans of the Pac-12 Conference, but did not play in the 2017–18 season due to the events relating to the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball corruption scandal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Clarke</span> Canadian-American basketball player

Brandon Clarke is a Canadian-American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs and San José State University Spartans men’s basketball team. He was drafted 21st overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2019 NBA draft and then immediately traded to the Grizzlies. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 NBA draft</span> Basketball player selection

The 2019 NBA draft was held on June 20, 2019. It took place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. National Basketball Association (NBA) teams took turns selecting amateur United States college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players. It was televised nationally on ESPN. State Farm was the presenting sponsor of the NBA draft for the eighth consecutive year. This draft was the first to feature a new weighted lottery system in which the three worst teams each had a 14 percent chance of winning the lottery; these teams were the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Phoenix Suns. The lottery took place on May 14, during the NBA playoffs. Three of the four teams who held the top four picks of the draft this year rose up from at least six spots in the lottery, including the New Orleans Pelicans, who won the first pick with 6 percent odds. The Pelicans used that pick on Duke forward Zion Williamson. This draft included the first Japanese player to be selected in the first round, as well as the first Angolan player to be selected.

The 2019–20 Memphis Grizzlies season was the 25th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and 19th in Memphis.

The 2019–20 Oklahoma City Thunder season was the 12th season of the franchise in Oklahoma City and the 53rd in the National Basketball Association (NBA). This was the Thunder's first season since 2007–08 without Russell Westbrook, as he was traded to the Houston Rockets for Chris Paul and future draft picks on July 11, 2019. The trade reunited Westbrook with former Thunder teammate James Harden, who had played for the team from 2009 to 2012. The trade also marked Chris Paul's first time since 2006–07 playing in Oklahoma City after playing his first two seasons there when he was a member of the New Orleans Hornets. This trade was preceded by a trade where Paul George was sent to the Los Angeles Clippers for Danilo Gallinari, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and a record 5 future 1st round draft picks on July 7.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenyon Martin Jr.</span> American basketball player (born 2001)

Kenyon Lee "KJ" Martin Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The son of former NBA player Kenyon Martin, he grew up in southern California and played basketball while attending Chaminade College Prep and Sierra Canyon before going to IMG Academy for his postgraduate year. He was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the 2020 NBA draft and in November 2020, the Kings traded Martin to the Houston Rockets, where he played for three season. During the 2023 off-season, he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 NBA draft</span> 76th edition of the Draft

The 2022 NBA draft, the 76th edition of the National Basketball Association's annual draft, was held on June 23, 2022, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The 2022 edition marked a return to the draft's normal June date after postponements were made in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This draft was the first of at least three straight NBA drafts that consisted of only 58 picks instead of the typical 60 due to the loss of a second-round pick for both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat for violating the NBA's tampering rules during free agency. The first pick was made by the Orlando Magic, who selected Paolo Banchero from Duke. Banchero went on to win Rookie of the Year.

Kenneth Wayne Lofton Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. He is a two-time all-conference selection in Conference USA, including first-team honors as a sophomore in 2022.

The 2022–23 Oklahoma City Thunder season was the 15th season of the franchise in Oklahoma City and the 57th in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

References

  1. ↑ Baum, Adam; Robbe, Nick (November 28, 2014). "Roger Bacon basketball looking to reload". The Cincinnati Enquirer . Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  2. 1 2 Schmetzer, Mark (December 22, 2015). "Finneytown's Bazley handles spotlight, roundball". The Cincinnati Enquirer . Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  3. ↑ "SW Ohio All-District boys hoops teams named". The Cincinnati Enquirer . March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  4. 1 2 Dyer, Mike (June 20, 2016). "Finneytown's Darius Bazley is ranked Ohio's No. 1 player in the 2018 class". WCPO-TV . Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  5. ↑ Dyer, Mike (July 30, 2016). "Finneytown basketball standout Darius Bazley transfers to Princeton". WCPO-TV . Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Five things to know: Darius Bazley". USA Basketball. Archived from the original on August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  7. ↑ Landis, Bill (August 27, 2016). "Darius Bazley, Justin Ahrens -- pair of 2018 Ohio prospects -- commit to Ohio State basketball". The Plain Dealer . Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  8. ↑ Dyer, Mike (January 16, 2017). "Princeton basketball standout Darius Bazley reflects on season debut". WCPO-TV . Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  9. ↑ Spain, Kevin (April 28, 2017). "Ohio State loses basketball recruit Darius Bazley who wants 'bigger stage'". USA Today . Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  10. ↑ Zucker, Joseph (July 3, 2017). "4-Star SF Darius Bazley Commits to Syracuse over Louisville, Maryland, Others". Bleacher Report . Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  11. ↑ Waters, Mike (November 8, 2017). "Syracuse basketball recruit Darius Bazley signs letter of intent". The Post-Standard . Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  12. ↑ Daniels, Evan (January 16, 2018). "McDonald's All-American Rosters". 247Sports . Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  13. ↑ Winstead, Kenzie (January 19, 2018). "Langford fights through injuries, leads New Albany to nationally televised win over Princeton". The Courier-Journal . Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  14. ↑ Gutierrez, Matthew (April 8, 2018). "At Jordan Brand Classic, Darius Bazley offers glimpse of what he would have brought to SU". The Daily Orange . Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  15. ↑ Clark, Dave (March 13, 2018). "Princeton's Bazley invited to Nike Hoop Summit". The Cincinnati Enquirer . Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  16. ↑ Borzello, Jeff (March 30, 2018). "Five-star recruit Darius Bazley to de-commit from Syracuse, join G League". ESPN . Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  17. ↑ Zagoria, Adam (April 23, 2018). "Darius Bazley Charts Yet Another Path to the N.B.A.: The Development League". The New York Times . Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  18. ↑ Clark, Dave (April 4, 2018). "Boeheim on Bazley: 'It's not the way to get to the NBA'". The Cincinnati Enquirer . Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  19. ↑ Charania, Shams (August 27, 2018). "Darius Bazley, the first top high school prospect to choose the G League over college, opts to train on his own instead". The Athletic. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Rich Paul: Darius Bazley's $1M internship a by-product of 'broken system'". ESPN.com. October 24, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  21. ↑ Bowers, Brendan (April 1, 2019). "Did Darius Bazley and Klutch Sports make the right call?". lebronwire.usatoday.com. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  22. ↑ "NBA announces early entry candidates for 2019 NBA Draft presented by State Farm". pr.nba.com. April 23, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Sixty-six players expected to attend NBA Draft Combine". NBA.com. May 19, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Memphis Grizzlies acquire Grayson Allen, Jae Crowder, Kyle Korver, draft rights to Darius Bazley and future first round draft pick from Utah Jazz". NBA.com. July 6, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Thunder Acquires Draft Rights to Darius Bazley". NBA.com. July 6, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  26. ↑ Brunt, Cliff (November 16, 2019). "GALLINARI, PAUL LEAD THUNDER PAST 76ERS 127-119 IN OT". NBA.com. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  27. ↑ "THUNDER KEEP WIZARDS WINLESS IN BUBBLE WITH 121-103 WIN". NBA.com. August 9, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  28. ↑ Nuckols, Ben (April 19, 2021). "BEAL, BERTANS LIFT WIZARDS PAST THUNDER FOR 5TH STRAIGHT WIN". NBA.com. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  29. ↑ Marot, Michael (April 21, 2021). "PACERS' SMALL BALL COMES UP BIG IN 122-116 WIN OVER THUNDER". NBA.com. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  30. ↑ Martinez, Justin (March 13, 2022). "GRIZZLIES LEAD FOR ALL BUT 25 SECONDS IN WIN OVER THUNDER". NBA.com. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  31. ↑ Almanza, Clemente (March 28, 2022). "OKC Thunder news: Darius Bazley out for the rest of the season with knee fracture". USA Today. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  32. ↑ "SUNS ACQUIRE DARIUS BAZLEY FROM OKLAHOMA CITY". NBA.com. February 9, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Brooklyn Nets Sign Darius Bazley". NBA.com. July 16, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Brooklyn Nets Waive Darius Bazley". NBA.com. October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
  35. ↑ Delaware Blue Coats [@blue_coats] (December 8, 2023). "welcome to Delaware, Darius!👋 OFFICIAL: the Delaware Blue Coats acquire the rights to Darius Bazley from the Wisconsin Herd in exchange for a 2024 1st round pick. #GetYourCoatsOn" (Tweet). Retrieved December 10, 2023– via Twitter.
  36. ↑ "Darius Bazley Signed by 76ers". NBA.com. February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  37. ↑ "2023-2024 Delaware Blue Coats Transaction History". RealGM.com. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  38. ↑ "Utah Jazz Sign Darius Bazley". NBA.com. March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
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.