Ronnie Price

Last updated
Ronnie Price
Phoenix Suns visit Luke Air Force Base (2273439).jpg
Price with the Phoenix Suns in 2015
Phoenix Suns
PositionScout
League NBA
Personal information
Born (1983-06-21) June 21, 1983 (age 40)
Friendswood, Texas
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school Clear Brook
(Friendswood, Texas)
College
NBA draft 2005: undrafted
Playing career2005–2017
Position Point guard
Number7, 17, 2, 24, 10, 9, 14
Career history
20052007 Sacramento Kings
20072011 Utah Jazz
2011–2012 Phoenix Suns
2012–2013 Portland Trail Blazers
2013–2014 Orlando Magic
2014–2015 Los Angeles Lakers
20152017 Phoenix Suns
Career highlights and awards
  • NCAA Independent Player of the Year (2005)
  • 2× NCAA All-Independent Team (2004, 2005)
Career NBA statistics
Points 2,015 (3.7 ppg)
Rebounds 658 (1.2 rpg)
Assists 960 (1.8 apg)
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Ronald D'Wayne Price (born June 21, 1983) is an American former professional basketball player and current scout for the Phoenix Suns. Price grew up in Friendswood, Texas and played college basketball for one year at Nicholls State and three years at Utah Valley State (now Utah Valley). Price went undrafted [1] in the 2005 NBA draft and played for the Sacramento Kings from 2005 to 2008. Price then played for the Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Orlando Magic, and Los Angeles Lakers before returning to Phoenix for a second and final playing stint.

Contents

Early life and college career

Price was born and raised in Friendswood, Texas and graduated from Clear Brook High School in 2001 as an honor roll student with a 3.4 grade point average. [2] At 5-foot-7, Price was considered undersized as a senior and was not offered any basketball scholarships out of high school. [3] In 2001, Price enrolled at Nicholls State University of Thibodaux, Louisiana and walked on to the Colonels basketball team. [4] He grew to 6 feet by the beginning of his freshman season and averaged 11.3 points per game. [2] [5] At 6-foot-1 by the end of his freshman year, Price transferred to Utah Valley State College (now Utah Valley University) in Orem, Utah. [6]

As a sophomore (2002–03), Price averaged 15.3 points per game, earning Honorable Mention honors in the NJCAA Region 18. UVSC became a four-year institution the following year, and Price decided to stay as the school transitioned to NCAA Division I basketball. He improved his scoring average to 20.2 points per game as a junior (2003–04), leading the Wolverines to the so-called Division I Provisional Championship, meaning the team beat other schools transitioning to Division I. [7] The Wolverines finished the season with a 23–5 record. Price scored a career-high 37 points in a game twice during the season. [8]

In his senior season (2004–05), Price averaged 24.3 points per game, ranking third in the nation in that category albeit unofficially due to Utah Valley's status as a provisional Division I member. For his efforts, he was named Division I Independent Player of the Year. He finished his senior year with a terrific performance, scoring a season-high 36 points (27 in the second half) in a 71–52 victory over Northern Colorado. [8]

Price was inducted into the Utah Valley University Hall of Fame on February 4, 2010 at halftime of Utah Valley's game against Texas–Pan American. [9]

Professional career

Sacramento Kings (2005–2007)

Price worked out for the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons after going undrafted in the 2005 NBA draft. [10] On August 3, 2005, Price signed a guaranteed two-year contract with the Sacramento Kings. [11] Price became the first player to enter the NBA directly from Utah Valley University. [12] He played sporadically in his rookie season: in 29 games, Price averaged 5.2 minutes and 2.1 points. On December 22 against the Dallas Mavericks, Price had his only game that season in double figures, with 11 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist in 18 minutes. [8]

In the 2006–07 season, Price got more playing time with 58 games and one start and averaged 9.7 minutes, 3.3 points, and 1.2 rebounds. On November 22, Price scored a career-high 16 points in a game against the Utah Jazz on November 22, 2006, including a dunk over Carlos Boozer that NBA.com panelists considered one of the most memorable plays of the season. [8] [13] Price started his first NBA game on December 5 against the Phoenix Suns and scored 2 points in 13 minutes. [8]

Utah Jazz (2007–2011)

Price with the Utah Jazz in 2008 Price At The Free Throw Line (cropped).jpg
Price with the Utah Jazz in 2008

In July 2007, Price signed a free agent contract with the Jazz. He started the season as third-string point guard, behind Deron Williams and Jason Hart (Hart for the second time). Price eventually replaced Hart as the main backup to Williams. He played in 61 games in 2007–08, averaging 3.7 points per game. He made highlight reels again after a block he had on Luke Walton in game 4 of the second round of the 2008 NBA Playoffs against the L.A. Lakers. Walton appeared to have a breakaway layup or dunk when Price unexpectedly caught up with him at the last moment and blocked him soundly, despite their difference in height. This was after receiving 4 stitches and a large bandage above his right eye following a flagrant foul from Ronny Turiaf earlier in the game.

Phoenix Suns (2011–2012)

On December 13, 2011, Price signed a one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns to replace Zabian Dowdell. [14] Starting 8 of 36 games, Price averaged 3.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.9 steals. [15] Price had three games with double-figure scoring, including a season-high 18 points on January 13 against the New Jersey Nets. [16]

Portland Trail Blazers (2012–2013)

On July 18, 2012, Price signed with the Portland Trail Blazers. [17] Price played 39 games in the 2012–13 season for Portland and averaged 2.7 points, 1.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.7 steals. [15] On February 21, 2013, Price was released by the Trail Blazers to create roster space for Eric Maynor after the team traded draft rights to Georgios Printezis to the Oklahoma City Thunder. [18]

Orlando Magic (2013–2014)

On July 25, 2013, Price signed with the Orlando Magic. [19] On July 2, 2014, he was waived by the Magic. [20]

Los Angeles Lakers (2014–2015)

On September 24, 2014, Price signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. [21] On December 7, 2014, Price was moved into the starting line-up in place of Jeremy Lin. [22] On February 24, 2015, Price was ruled out for the rest of the 2014–15 season after undergoing surgery to remove a bone spur in his right elbow. [23]

During his time with the Lakers, Price recorded career-best numbers in points (5.1), assists (3.8), and steals (1.6).

In a pre-season game that year, he was ejected after his shoe came off and he threw it at the ball. [24]

Return to Phoenix (2015–2017)

On July 17, 2015, Price signed a one-year deal with the Phoenix Suns, returning to the franchise for a second stint. [25] [26] Entering his second stint with the team, Price accepted a third-string point guard role behind young guards Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight, and embraced a part-time role in order to be more of a mentor. [27] On December 23, 2015, Price made a career-high six three-pointers and scored a career-high 20 points in a loss to the Denver Nuggets. [28] On January 15, 2016, he was ruled out for a month after undergoing surgery on his right big toe. [29] He returned to action on February 19 against the Houston Rockets. [30] Price played in a career-high 62 games for the Suns in 2015–16, and recorded a career-high 5.3 points per game.

On August 14, 2016, Price signed a two-year deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder. [31] However, he was waived by the Thunder on October 24, 2016 after appearing in five preseason games. [32] On January 27, 2017, Price returned to the Suns on a 10-day contract. [33] On February 6, 2017, he signed a second 10-day contract with the Suns, despite having not appeared in a game during his first 10-day contract. [34] He made his season debut four days later, playing two minutes in a 115–97 win over the Chicago Bulls. [35] On February 24, 2017, he signed with the Suns for the rest of the season. [36]

Scouting career

During the 2018-19 NBA season, the Suns hired Price as a part of the team's new scouting department, after having previously firing a majority of their old staff prior to the start of the season. [37] The move essentially confirmed Price's retirement from professional basketball.

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
2005–06 Sacramento 2905.2.362.2221.000.5.4.2.02.1
2006–07 Sacramento 5819.7.390.323.6731.2.8.5.13.3
2007–08 Utah 6139.6.431.347.684.81.3.5.03.7
2008–09 Utah 521714.2.379.311.7561.32.1.8.14.0
2009–10 Utah 60413.4.405.286.6951.22.1.7.24.3
2010–11 Utah 59012.2.352.290.7441.0.9.7.13.3
2011–12 Phoenix 36814.4.377.295.8001.61.9.9.13.6
2012–13 Portland 39013.1.325.256.7081.11.9.7.12.7
2013–14 Orlando 31212.2.304.209.6921.42.1.8.12.4
2014–15 L.A. Lakers 432022.8.345.284.8001.63.81.6.15.1
2015–16 Phoenix 621819.5.384.347.7561.62.41.2.15.3
2016–17 Phoenix 1409.6.167.176.750.81.3.8.11.0
Career5447313.4.373.302.7381.21.8.8.13.7

Playoffs

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2006 Sacramento 402.3.000.000.000.0.3.0.0.0
2008 Utah 1205.7.323.214.769.3.9.5.22.8
2009 Utah 208.0.300.0001.0001.52.5.5.04.0
2010 Utah 1009.0.292.286.5001.01.4.4.12.0
Career2806.5.294.208.696.61.1.4.12.2

Related Research Articles

Jason Keema Hart is an American basketball coach and former professional player who is currently an assistant coach for the University of Kentucky.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gordan Giriček</span> Croatian basketball player (born 1977)

Gordan Giriček is a Croatian former professional basketball player. Standing at 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m), he played the shooting guard and small forward positions. Over eighteen years of professional basketball, he played in the NBA for several teams, including Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Phoenix Suns. He also played for several European teams, including Cibona, CSKA Moscow and Fenerbahçe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brevin Knight</span> American basketball player

Brevin Adon Knight is an American former professional basketball point guard who played with nine teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1997 to 2009. Knight played college basketball at Stanford University and was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronnie Brewer</span> American basketball player

Ronnie Brewer is an American former professional basketball player and currently an assistant coach. Brewer played collegiately at the University of Arkansas, where his father Ron Brewer was a star in the late 1970s. Brewer is known for having an unorthodox shooting technique, the result of a childhood water slide injury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Maynor</span> American basketball player

Eric Demarqua Maynor is an American former professional basketball player and current assistant coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association. He played college basketball for Virginia Commonwealth University. As a senior, he averaged 22.4 points, 6.2 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game in the 2008–09 season.

Jerel McNeal is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for Marquette University before playing professionally in Belgium, the NBA D-League, Italy, China, Greece, Germany and Israel, including a short stint in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns in 2014.

Dionte Lamont Christmas is an American former professional basketball player for Ciclista Olímpico of the Liga Nacional de Básquet. He played college basketball for Temple.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Jenkins (basketball)</span> American basketball player

John Logan Jenkins III is an American professional basketball player who last played for the NBA G League Ignite of the NBA G League. A shooting guard, Jenkins was a two-time TSSAA Class AA Mr. Basketball selection, and was the Gatorade Tennessee High School Player of the Year in 2008–09. He played college basketball at Vanderbilt. He was drafted with the 23rd pick in the 2012 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks.

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

Ishmael Larry "Ish" Smith is an American former professional basketball player who last played for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Smith holds the record of playing for the most NBA franchises, at 13. He won an NBA championship with the Nuggets in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kendall Marshall</span> American basketball coach and player (born 1991)

Kendall Dewan Marshall is an American basketball coach and former professional player. He was born in Dumfries, Virginia, and attended Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington, Virginia. He played college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels and was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2012 NBA draft with the 13th overall pick.

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

Isaiah Canaan is an American professional basketball player for Olympiacos of the Greek Basket League (GBL) and the EuroLeague. He was an All-American college player at Murray State University.

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

Kevin Marquis Murphy is an American professional basketball player for Al Ahly Ly of the Basketball Africa League (BAL). He played college basketball for Tennessee Tech.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diante Garrett</span> American basketball player

Diante Maurice Garrett is an American professional basketball player for CBet Jonava of the Lithuanian Basketball League. He played college basketball for Iowa State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian Clark (basketball)</span> American basketball player

Ian Patrick Clark is an American professional basketball player who last played for Melbourne United of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball at Belmont University. As a senior, he was the 2012–13 Ohio Valley Conference Co-Player of the Year with Murray State's Isaiah Canaan. Clark was third in the nation in three-point field goal shooting percentage and led the Bruins to the conference championship in the school's first year as an OVC member. In July 2013, Clark signed a two-year contract with the Jazz after his performance at the Las Vegas Summer League impressed numerous teams. Clark won an NBA Championship with the Warriors in 2017.

Elijah Millsap is an American professional basketball player who last played for the College Park Skyhawks of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danuel House Jr.</span> American basketball player (born 1993)

Danuel Kennedy House Jr. is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played two seasons of college basketball for the Houston Cougars before transferring to the Texas A&M Aggies. During his senior season, he was instrumental in the Aggies' first share of a regular-season Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship, as well as their run to the Sweet Sixteen in the 2016 NCAA tournament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaquille Harrison</span> American basketball player

Shaquille Harrison is an American professional basketball player for the South Bay Lakers of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Tulsa Golden Hurricane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Toolson</span> American basketball player

Jake Toolson is an American basketball player who last played for BG Göttingen of the easyCredit BBL. He played college basketball for the Utah Valley Wolverines and the BYU Cougars. He was named the 2019 Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saben Lee</span> American basketball player (born 1999)

Saben Anthonia Lee is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract. He played college basketball for the Vanderbilt Commodores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenneth Ogbe</span> German basketball player

Kenneth Ogbe is a German professional basketball player for EWE Baskets Oldenburg of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL).

References

  1. "Ronnie Price: Undrafted and Employed". NBA.com .
  2. 1 2 "Ronnie Price". Utah Valley State College. Archived from the original on March 2, 2005.
  3. The value of backup Suns point guard Ronnie Price goes beyond numbers
  4. Robinson, Doug (May 14, 2008). "The Price is right for Jazz". Deseret News. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  5. "Player Profiles: 2001-2002 Colonels". Nicholls State University Athletics. Archived from the original on October 22, 2002.
  6. "2002-2003 Player Roster (men's basketball)". Utah Valley State College. Archived from the original on March 19, 2003.
  7. "UVU basketball: Wolverines finishing up provisional status". 23 January 2009.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Ronnie Price biography". NBA. Archived from the original on November 14, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  9. Ruff, Wesley. "Price honored as UVU wins". ABC 4 KTVX (Salt Lake CIty). Archived from the original on February 6, 2010.
  10. Buckley, Tim (May 19, 2005). "Price works out for Jazz". Deseret News. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  11. Amick, Sam. "Petrie mostly mum about dealings". Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on August 5, 2005.
  12. "Jazz guard Price to be inducted into UVU hall of fame". KSL. February 1, 2010. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  13. "2007 Mid-Season Awards -- Best Dunk". NBA. January 24, 2007. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  14. "Suns waive Zabian Dowdell". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 13, 2011. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  15. 1 2 "Ronnie Price". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  16. "Ronnie Price 2011-12 Game Log". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  17. Freeman, Joe (July 19, 2012). "Blazers add veteran point guard Ronnie Price". The Oregonian. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  18. Haynes, Chris (February 21, 2013). "Ronnie Price waived to make room for Eric Maynor". Comcast Sports Net Northwest. Archived from the original on February 24, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  19. Magic Sign Ronnie Price
  20. Magic Waive Ronnie Price
  21. "Lakers Sign Ronnie Price". NBA.com. September 24, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2014.
  22. Jeremy Lin, Carlos Boozer benched by Lakers; Ronnie Price, Ed Davis start
  23. Ronnie Price (elbow) out for season
  24. "Ronnie Price Loses Shoe, Throws At Ball" (video). The Cauldron. October 13, 2014.
  25. "Suns Sign Teletovic, Weems, Price". NBA.com. July 17, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
  26. Sonny Weems, Ronnie Price to join Suns as backup guards
  27. Ronnie Price ideally fits, accepts Phoenix Suns role
  28. Foye scores 31 points, Nuggets bounce back to beat Suns
  29. Suns guard Ronnie Price has surgery on right big toe
  30. James Harden leads Rockets past free-falling Suns, 116-100
  31. "Thunder Signs Ronnie Price". NBA.com. August 14, 2016. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
  32. "Thunder Waives Four". NBA.com. October 24, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  33. "Suns Sign Ronnie Price". NBA.com. January 27, 2017. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
  34. Phoenix Suns (February 6, 2017). "Suns have signed Ronnie Price to a second 10-..." Twitter. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
  35. "Bulls vs. Suns – Box Score". ESPN.com. February 10, 2017. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  36. "Suns Sign Price, Waive Scott, Sullinger". NBA.com. February 24, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  37. "Phoenix Suns have begun search for new general manager". 27 February 2019.