Andray Blatche

Andray Blatche

Blatche with the Nets in 2014
No. 0 – Xinjiang Flying Tigers
Position Power forward / Center
League CBA
Personal information
Born (1986-08-22) August 22, 1986
Syracuse, New York
Nationality American / Filipino
Listed height 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight 260 lb (118 kg)
Career information
High school Henninger (Syracuse, New York)
South Kent School
(South Kent, Connecticut)
NBA draft 2005 / Round: 2 / Pick: 49th overall
Selected by the Washington Wizards
Playing career 2005–present
Career history
2005–2012 Washington Wizards
2005–2006 →Roanoke Dazzle
2012–2014 Brooklyn Nets
2014–present Xinjiang Flying Tigers
Career highlights and awards
  • CBA All-Star (2015)
Stats at NBA.com
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Philippines
FIBA Asia Championships
2015 Changsha Team

Andray Maurice Blatche (born August 22, 1986) is an American-Filipino professional basketball player for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He played high school basketball at Henninger High School and South Kent School before he was drafted in the second round of the 2005 NBA draft by the Washington Wizards.

Born in New York and an American by birth, Blatche became a naturalized citizen of the Philippines in June 2014, enabling him to join the country's national basketball team.[1]

High school career

Blatche spent four years at Henninger High School in Syracuse, New York and then an extra year at the South Kent School in South Kent, Connecticut.[2] He averaged 27.5 points, 16.0 rebounds and 6.0 blocks per game during his fifth-year campaign in 2004–05 as he guided South Kent to a 32-9 record.[3]

Considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Blatche was listed as the No. 2 power forward and the No. 4 player in the nation in 2005.[4]

He declared for the 2005 NBA draft out of high school, and while originally thought of as a first-round prospect, he slipped to the second round and was taken by the Washington Wizards with the 49th overall pick.[5]

Professional career

Washington Wizards (2005–2012)

Blatche was shot in a carjacking on September 25, 2005, and as a result missed training camp.[5][6] He recovered successfully[5] and played his first game with Washington versus Seattle on November 11, 2005, scoring five points in a 137–96 Wizards victory.[7] On December 14, 2005, he was assigned to the Roanoke Dazzle of the NBA Development League. On January 2, 2006, he was recalled by the Wizards. He finished the 2005–06 season only playing in 29 games for the Wizards, averaging 2.3 points and 1.3 rebounds.

With the injuries to Wizards' centers Etan Thomas and Michael Ruffin, Blatche was occasionally pressed into service as a backup center in the 2006–07 season. On August 17, 2007, Blatche re-signed with the Wizards to a multi-year deal.[5][8] During the 2007–08 season, Blatche continued showing improvement, and with center Etan Thomas out with a season-ending heart condition, his minutes increased. At the end of the season, Blatche played in every game for the Wizards, starting 15, averaging 8.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.[9]

Blatche with the Wizards

On January 9, 2010, Blatche was fined $10,000 by the Wizards for participating in Gilbert Arenas' mimicking gunplay before a game on January 5, 2010 against the Philadelphia 76ers. Arenas was being investigated for a prior incident involving guns in the Wizards' locker room, but made light of the accusations by pointing his finger at his teammates, as if he were shooting them. His teammates were photographed smiling and laughing with him.[10]

On February 28, 2010, he scored a career high 36 points on 17–31 shooting during the Wizards' 89–85 victory against the New Jersey Nets. Blatche continued to be the starter on the team, and his stats significantly improved. Blatche just missed a triple-double as he had 20 points, a career-high 13 assists, nine rebounds and two steals in the Wizards' 109–99 victory over the New Jersey Nets on April 4.[11] In September 2010, he signed a veteran extension with the Wizards. The 2010–11 NBA season was a career year for Blatche, with 63 starts in 64 games played, and career highs in points (16.8), rebounds (8.2), assists (2.3) and steals (1.5).

On March 20, 2012, the Wizards announced that they were benching Blatche indefinitely due to lack of conditioning,[12] and on July 16, he was waived via the amnesty clause.[13] Blatche would later be vocal about his treatment by the Wizards organization, stating, "When things weren't starting well, they used me as an excuse." He also claimed that the management deliberately tried to ruin his career: "For them to say, ‘Oh, he’s a bad teammate. He’s a cancer in the locker room.’ He’s this and that. All that was a bunch of lies! A bunch of lies. That’s what really made me mad. That showed me, they tried to end me."[14] Coach Randy Wittman responded to the allegations by saying, "I’m not going to get into that. We did everything we could to help him, as we will with every player that ever comes here."[15]

Brooklyn Nets (2012–2014)

Blatche taking a jump shot over Drew Gooden.

On September 12, 2012, Blatche signed with the Brooklyn Nets.[16] After Blatche signed with the Nets, he decided to wear number 0. "Zero reminds of me how everybody gave up on me," he said.[17] When Brook Lopez injured his foot, Blatche was given the chance to start in his absence. Without Lopez, the Nets struggled with a 2-5 record.[18] Despite the Nets' struggles without Lopez, Blatche played well, averaging 18.1 points and 8.8 rebounds.[19] On January 4, 2013, Blatche made his return to the Verizon Center and was playing the Washington Wizards. When Blatche entered that game in the first quarter, he was booed heartily by the fans in attendance. In 19 minutes of game action, Blatche had 13 points and 12 rebounds.[20]

Blatche played in all 82 regular season games in 2012–13, averaging 10.3 points and 5.1 rebounds and set a career high in field goal percentage (51.2%). Blatche also played in seven playoff games for the Nets and averaged 10.3 points and 4.9 rebounds.

On July 11, 2013, Blatche re-signed with the Nets.[21] In December 2013, starting center Brook Lopez went down with a season-ending foot injury, increasing Blatche's minutes. In the first game without Lopez, Blatche had 11 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes of action in a loss to the Indiana Pacers.[22]

On June 20, 2014, Blatche opted out of his contract with the Nets, thus becoming an unrestricted free agent.[23]

Xinjiang Flying Tigers (2014–present)

On September 20, 2014, Blatche signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association.[24] Following the conclusion of the 2014–15 CBA regular season, Blatche terminated his contract with Xinjiang on February 1, 2015.[25] In 38 games, he averaged 31.1 points, 14.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.8 steals per game.[26]

In March 2015, Blatche re-signed with Xinjiang on a three-year, $7.5 million contract.[27][28]

In November 2016, Blatche sustained an injury and was subsequently replaced on the roster temporarily by Ben Bentil.[29]

Career statistics

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

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2005–06 Washington 29 0 6.0 .388 .231 .833 1.3 .3 .2 .2 2.2
2006–07 Washington 56 13 12.2 .437 .148 .612 3.4 .7 .3 .6 3.7
2007–08 Washington 82 15 20.4 .474 .231 .695 5.2 1.1 .6 1.4 7.5
2008–09 Washington 71 36 24.0 .471 .238 .704 5.3 1.7 .7 1.0 10.0
2009–10 Washington 81 36 27.9 .478 .295 .744 6.3 2.1 1.0 .9 14.1
2010–11 Washington 64 63 33.9 .445 .222 .777 8.2 2.3 1.5 .8 16.8
2011–12 Washington 26 13 24.1 .380 .286 .673 5.8 1.1 .8 .7 8.5
2012–13 Brooklyn 82 8 19.0 .512 .136 .685 5.1 1.0 1.0 .7 10.3
2013–14 Brooklyn 73 7 22.2 .476 .278 .742 5.3 1.5 1.0 .5 11.2
Career 564 191 22.1 .467 .237 .725 5.4 1.4 .9 .8 10.1

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2007 Washington 2 0 12.5 .667 .000 1.000 3.5 .0 .0 .0 4.5
2008 Washington 6 0 14.8 .429 .000 .333 3.3 .2 .3 1.0 3.7
2013 Brooklyn 7 0 19.7 .500 .000 .824 4.9 1.3 .3 .4 10.3
2014 Brooklyn 12 0 14.3 .448 .000 .833 5.0 .3 .5 .2 6.4
Career 27 0 15.7 .476 .000 .733 4.5 .5 .4 .4 6.7

CBA

Year Team GP MPG 2P% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2014–15 Xinjiang 38 31.1 .629 .372 .777 14.6 5.1 2.8 .9 31.1
Career 38 31.1 .629 .372 .777 14.6 5.1 2.8 .9 31.1

National team career

Blatche with the Philippine national team at the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

In January 2014, Blatche was asked by the Gilas Pilipinas to take part as a naturalized player for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain and the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. On May 26, 2014, a bill granting Blatche's Filipino citizenship was approved by the Philippine Senate.[30] On June 11, 2014, Blatche officially became a Filipino citizen upon the signing of Republic Act 10636 by Philippine President Benigno Aquino III.[1]

In August 2014, Blatche was named in the 2014 Philippine FIBA Basketball World Cup and Asian Games squad.[31][32] He was later disqualified to play in the 2014 Asian Games due to eligibility issues cited by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), as he lacked the required three-year residency in the Philippines.[33][34][35] In five games at the World Cup, he averaged 21.2 points, 13.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game.[36] With an 18-point, 14-rebound performance, Blatche helped the Philippines to their first World Cup win in 40 years, defeating Senegal 81-79 in overtime.[37]

In 2015, Blatche played for the Philippines at the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship under new head coach Tab Baldwin. In nine games, he averaged 17.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.[38] The following year, the team competed in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where in two games, he scored a total of 51 points.[39]

Personal

On the Sunday morning of September 25, 2005, three months after the Wizards selected him with the 49th overall pick in the NBA draft, Blatche was shot in an attempted carjacking that took place near his home in Alexandria, Virginia.[2] Police said Blatche was ordered out of the car by men who emerged from a van and was shot before he could fully exit.[2] Blatche's mother, Angela Oliver, said he was shot once in the chest, but that the bullet did not hit any vital organs.[2] He was released from hospital two days later.[40] As a result of his injuries, he missed the Wizards' training camp,[5][6] although he could walk on his own three days after the shooting and one day after being released from the hospital.[6]

On August 2, 2007, Blatche was charged with sexual solicitation in the Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. after allegedly soliciting sex from an undercover police officer. The solicitation charge was dropped after Blatche followed court orders and attended a day-long seminar for men who solicit prostitutes.[5][41]

Blatche was arrested on June 4, 2008, in Virginia on charges of reckless driving and driving on a suspended license for the third time. Blatche was going 86 mph in a 70 mph zone in a Mercedes on Interstate 85. He was released on bond.[42]

In June 2011, Blatche established the Andray Blatche Foundation and went on a charity mission to Jamaica where he donated sneakers, basketballs and gave a $50,000 check to Jamaican schools.[43]

References

  1. 1 2 Andray Blatche now eligible to play for Gilas as President Aquino signs naturalization papers
  2. 1 2 3 4 Blatche in good condition after being shot in carjacking
  3. ↑ Andray Blatche Stats, Video, Bio, Profile
  4. ↑ Andray Blatche Recruiting Profile
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wizards re-sign forward Blatche to multiyear deal
  6. 1 2 3 Blatche to miss training camp after being shot
  7. ↑ Arenas scores 32 as Wizards look Super against Sonics
  8. ↑ Wizards Re-Sign Forward Andray Blatche
  9. ↑ Andray Blatche 2007-08 Game Log
  10. ↑ Wiz fine Blatche, McGee, Foye, Young
  11. ↑ Andray Blatche 2009-10 Game Log
  12. ↑ Wizards plan to sit Andray Blatche until he gets in better shape
  13. ↑ WIZARDS WAIVE BLATCHE
  14. ↑ Highlights from Andray Blatche's crazy radio interview
  15. ↑ Lee, Michael (November 27, 2012). "Andray Blatche on Wizards: "They tried to end me"". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  16. ↑ Brooklyn Nets sign Andray Blatche
  17. ↑ Lee, Michael (October 15, 2012). "Andray Blatche: 'I'm blessed to be here with a second chance'". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  18. ↑ Kline, Brandon (December 14, 2012). "Brook Lopez injury update: Nets' center could return tonight vs. Pistons". SBNation.com. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  19. ↑ Cacciola, Scott (December 12, 2012). "Don't Blame Blatche For the Nets' Descent". WSJ.com. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Andray Blatche returns to Washington, receives boos as expected (VIDEO)". NBCSports.com. January 4, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  21. ↑ Nets Re-Sign Andray Blatche
  22. ↑ "Brook Lopez injury could be fatal blow to Brooklyn Nets season". nydailynews.com. December 23, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  23. ↑ Agent: Blatche opts out, is a free agent
  24. ↑ Andray Blatche officially signs with Xinjiang Flying Tigers
  25. ↑ The complete list of players available from China
  26. ↑ Henson, Joaquin (February 8, 2015). "Andray back to NBA?". PhilStar.com. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  27. ↑ Feldman, Dan (March 23, 2015). "Report: Andray Blatche signs three-year deal in China". NBCSports.com. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Gilas star Andray Blatche's new contract in China reportedly worth $7.5M". InterAksyon.com. March 24, 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  29. ↑ Former Celtic draftee Ben Bentil signs with Chinese team Xinjiang
  30. ↑ Senate grants Filipino citizenship to NBA center Andray Blatche
  31. ↑ Lee, Dillinger, Blatche named to Gilas Asian Games team
  32. ↑ Blatche says Philippines will continue to impress in FIBA World Cup
  33. ↑ Why Andray Blatche might not play in the 2014 Asian Games
  34. ↑ It’s final: Blatche out of Asian Games
  35. ↑ Andray Blatche officially disqualified from Asian Games
  36. ↑ 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup – Andray Blatche
  37. ↑ Philippines gets 1st World Cup win in 40 years
  38. ↑ 2015 FIBA Asia Championship – Andray Blatche
  39. ↑ 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament – Andray Blatche
  40. ↑ Blatche out of hospital after attempted carjacking
  41. ↑ Blatche To Attend 'John School'
  42. ↑ Wizards' Blatche Arrested
  43. ↑ Andray Blatche to go on charity mission to Jamaica

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