Wikipedia

Rayjon Tucker

Rayjon Tucker (born September 24, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for Virtus Bologna of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) and the EuroLeague. He played college basketball for the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles and the Little Rock Trojans.

Rayjon Tucker
Tucker with the Wisconsin Herd in 2019
No. 59 – Virtus Bologna
PositionShooting guard
LeagueLBA
EuroLeague
Personal information
Born (1997-09-24) September 24, 1997 (age 27)
Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight209 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High schoolNorthside Christian Academy
(Charlotte, North Carolina)
College
NBA draft2019: undrafted
Playing career2019–present
Career history
2019Wisconsin Herd
2019–2020Utah Jazz
2020→Salt Lake City Stars
2021Philadelphia 76ers
2021→Delaware Blue Coats
2021–2022Wisconsin Herd
2022Denver Nuggets
2022Milwaukee Bucks
2022–2023Melbourne United
2023–2024Reyer Venezia
2024–presentVirtus Bologna
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Early life and high school

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Tucker grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina and attended Northside Christian Academy. As a senior, he averaged 24 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks per game and helped lead Knights to the state championship game.[1] Tucker committed to play college basketball at Florida Gulf Coast over offers from Virginia Tech, Boston College, VCU, Clemson, and Auburn.[2]

College career

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Tucker began his collegiate career with the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles. As a freshman, he averaged 6.2 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in 35 games played, starting one. Tucker averaged 7.7 points and 2.9 rebounds in 18.8 minutes per game as a sophomore.[3] He announced his intention to transfer from the school at the end of the season.[4]

Tucker transferred to the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. After sitting out a season due to NCAA transfer rules, he averaged 20.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game and was named second team All-Sun Belt Conference.[5] Following the season, Tucker left the program with the intention of joining a higher-level program as a graduate transfer while also declaring for the 2019 NBA draft.[6][7] He committed to transfer to Memphis over offers from Auburn, West Virginia, Kansas and Iowa State.[8] However, Tucker ultimately decided not to pull out of the Draft and to pursue professional basketball instead.[9]

Professional career

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Wisconsin Herd (2019)

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After going undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft, Tucker played for the Milwaukee Bucks NBA Summer League team.[10] After averaging 10.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in five summer league games, the Bucks signed Tucker to an Exhibit 10 contract on August 16, 2019.[11] Tucker was waived by the Bucks on October 19, 2019, and was subsequently assigned to their NBA G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd.[12][13] He was considered an excellent teammate who once grabbed water for the players in a game he did not play in.[14] Tucker averaged 23.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 0.9 steals per game in 33.8 minutes played in 16 games with the Herd before signing an NBA contract with the Jazz.[15] Tucker was named the G League Player of the Month for December and Midseason All-NBA G League for the Eastern Conference.[16][17]

Utah Jazz (2019–2020)

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On December 24, 2019, Tucker signed with the Utah Jazz for the rest of the 2019–20 NBA season.[18][19] He made his NBA debut six days later, against the Detroit Pistons, scoring two points and grabbing a rebound in a 104–81 win.[20] He began to see rotational minutes in January 2020 due to his focus on defense.[21] He was twice assigned to the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League, once in February and once in March.[22]

On November 27, 2020, Tucker was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers along with a 2027 second-round pick in exchange for cash considerations.[23][24] He was waived by the Cavaliers the next day.[25]

Tucker spent training camp and preseason with the Los Angeles Clippers in December 2020.[26][27]

Philadelphia 76ers (2021)

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On January 22, 2021, Tucker signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.[28] He split the 2020–21 season with the 76ers and their NBA G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. He was waived by the 76ers on August 18, 2021.[29][30]

Return to Wisconsin / Denver Nuggets (2021–2022)

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Tucker joined the Wisconsin Herd for the 2021–22 NBA G League season.[31] On December 21, 2021, he signed a 10-day contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves.[32] After not playing for the Timberwolves during his stint, he signed a 10-day contract with the Denver Nuggets on December 31.[33] He played in three games for the Nuggets.[34] He returned to the Herd on January 11, 2022.[35] On February 3, he scored 31 points and had six rebounds in a loss to the Lakeland Magic.[36] In 27 games for the Heard, he averaged 21.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game.[37]

Milwaukee Bucks (2022)

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On April 8, 2022, Tucker signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.[38] He played two games for the Bucks to close out the 2021–22 NBA season and then played for the team in the 2022 NBA Summer League.[22]

Melbourne United (2022–2023)

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On August 2, 2022, Tucker signed with Melbourne United in Australia for the 2022–23 NBL season.[39]

Reyer Venezia (2023–2024)

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On July 16, 2023, Tucker signed with Reyer Venezia in Italy for the 2023–24 LBA season.[40]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games 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

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Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2019–20 Utah 20 0 8.1 .465 .176 .826 1.0 .3 .1 .1 3.1
2020–21 Philadelphia 14 0 4.9 .500 .286 .737 .8 .4 .1 .0 2.4
2021–22 Denver 3 0 9.7 .500 .500 .750 1.3 1.3 .3 .0 2.0
2021–22 Milwaukee 2 0 21.0 .714 1.000 .667 2.0 3.0 1.5 .0 7.5
Career 39 0 7.7 .500 .310 .776 1.0 .5 .2 .0 3.0

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2020 Utah 2 0 5.5 .400 .333 — .0 .0 .0 .0 2.5
2021 Philadelphia 1 0 2.0 — — .500 .0 .0 .0 .0 1.0
2022 Milwaukee 8 0 2.4 .333 .000 — .4 .0 .0 .0 .3
Career 11 0 2.9 .375 .250 .500 .3 .0 .0 .0 .7

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2015–16 Florida Gulf Coast 35 1 18.5 .545 .359 .714 3.0 .8 .6 .2 6.2
2016–17 Florida Gulf Coast 33 6 18.8 .509 .453 .753 3.9 1.0 .4 .3 7.7
2018–19 Little Rock 30 30 36.6 .491 .411 .777 6.7 1.8 1.1 .4 20.3
Career 98 37 24.2 .505 .414 .756 4.1 1.2 .7 .3 11.0

References

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  1. ^ Caldwell, Dana (January 6, 2016). "Eagles' Tucker starting to take flight". Naples Daily News. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  2. ^ "2015 SF Rayjon Tucker Commits To FGCU". NestBackUp.Blogspot.com/. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  3. ^ Caldwell, Dana (June 19, 2017). "Tucker's loss makes three transferring from FGCU". Naples Daily News. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  4. ^ Phillips, Scott (June 17, 2017). "High-flying guard Rayjon Tucker to transfer from Florida Gulf Coast". NBCSports.com. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  5. ^ Borzello, Jeff (March 19, 2019). "Little Rock's Tucker to be coveted as transfer". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  6. ^ Chasen, Scott (May 5, 2019). "Report: Rayjon Tucker zeroing in on transfer decision". 247Sports.com. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  7. ^ Daniels, Evan (April 15, 2019). "Rayjon Tucker declares for Draft, sets visits to Auburn, Memphis". 247Sports.com. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  8. ^ West, Jenna (May 12, 2019). "Top Grad Transfer Rayjon Tucker Commits to Memphis, Leaves Name in NBA Draft". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  9. ^ Hines, Travis. "Rayjon Tucker to stay in NBA draft weeks after committing to Memphis". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  10. ^ Cobb, David (July 5, 2019). "Former Memphis Tigers commit Rayjon Tucker not looking back as NBA summer league begins". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  11. ^ Velazquez, Matt (August 16, 2019). "The Milwaukee Bucks add Rayjon Tucker, Jaylen Adams to fill training-camp roster". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  12. ^ Hill, Arthur (October 19, 2019). "Bucks Waive Tucker, Lacey, Jones". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  13. ^ Treske, Jordan (October 26, 2019). "Wisconsin Herd add through the G League Draft ahead of 2019-20 season". BehindTheBuckPass.com. FanSided. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  14. ^ Jerell, Rushin (January 23, 2020). "Rayjon Tucker was the ideal teammate with the Wisconsin Herd before getting NBA contract". Oshkosh Northwestern. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  15. ^ Lowman, Mychal (December 23, 2019). "Utah Jazz sign Rayjon Tucker from G-League Wisconsin Herd". SLCDunk.com. SB Nation. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
  16. ^ Ireland, Kyle (January 2, 2020). "Jazz Guard Rayjon Tucker Named G-League Player Of Month For December". KSLSports.com. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  17. ^ Treske, Jordan (February 11, 2020). "Bucks G League: Wisconsin Herd headline midseason All-NBA G League teams". BehindTheBuckPass.com. FanSided. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  18. ^ Wojnarowski, Adrian (December 23, 2019). "Jazz to sign guard Rayjon Tucker, cut Jeff Green, sources say". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  19. ^ "Utah Jazz sign Rayjon Tucker". NBA.com. December 26, 2019. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  20. ^ Taylor, Cody (December 31, 2019). "Rayjon Tucker scored his first career bucket in the NBA with the Jazz". The Rookie Wire. USA Today. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  21. ^ Larsen, Andy (January 11, 2020). "Rayjon Tucker getting meaningful minutes for Jazz, thanks to his defensive focus". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  22. ^ a b "Rayjon Tucker". realgm.com. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  23. ^ "Cleveland Cavaliers acquire future second-round pick, Rayjon Tucker from Utah Jazz". Cleveland.com. November 27, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  24. ^ "Cavaliers Acquire Rayjon Tucker and Second Round Draft Pick From Utah". NBA.com. November 27, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  25. ^ "Cavaliers Sign Lamar Stevens to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. November 28, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  26. ^ "LA Clippers Sign Bowman, Fitts, Ford and Tucker". NBA.com. December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  27. ^ Adams, Luke (December 18, 2020). "Clippers Release Rayjon Tucker". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  28. ^ "76ers Sign Rayjon Tucker to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  29. ^ "76ers Sign Aaron Henry, Re-Sign Rayjon Tucker to Two-Way Contracts". NBA.com. August 8, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  30. ^ Carlin, Ky (August 18, 2021). "Sixers roster news: Team to waive third-year guard Rayjon Tucker". SixersWire.USAToday.com. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  31. ^ "Wisconsin Herd Announces 2021 Training Camp Roster". OurSportsCentral.com. October 26, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  32. ^ "TIMBERWOLVES SIGN FORWARD CHRIS SILVA AND GUARD RAYJON TUCKER TO 10-DAY CONTRACTS". NBA.com. December 21, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  33. ^ "Denver Nuggets Sign Rayjon Tucker to 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. December 31, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  34. ^ "Rayjon Tucker 2021-22 Game Log". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  35. ^ "2021-22 NBA G League transactions". NBA.com. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  36. ^ "Rayjon Tucker: Thriving in G League". CBSSports.com. February 5, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  37. ^ "Rayjon Tucker 2021-22 Game Log". gleague.nba.com. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  38. ^ Goran, Parker (April 8, 2022). "Milwaukee Bucks Sign Rayjon Tucker". NBA.com. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  39. ^ "Melbourne United sign NBA highlight machine Rayjon Tucker". melbourneutd.com.au. August 2, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  40. ^ "Rayjon Tucker signs with Umana Reyer Venezia". Eurohoops.net. July 16, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
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