Dexter Pittman
 Pittman with the Texas Longhorns | |
| Austin Toros | |
|---|---|
| Position | Center |
| League | NBA Development League |
| Personal information | |
| Born |
March 2, 1988 Rosenberg, Texas |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 11 in (211 cm) |
| Listed weight | 285 lb (129 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | B. F. Terry (Rosenberg, Texas) |
| College | Texas (2006–2010) |
| NBA draft | 2010 / Round: 2 / Pick: 32nd overall |
| Selected by the Miami Heat | |
| Pro playing career | 2010–present |
| Career history | |
| 2010–2013 | Miami Heat |
| 2010–2011 | →Sioux Falls Skyforce (D-League) |
| 2012–2013 | →Sioux Falls Skyforce (D-League) |
| 2013 | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2014–present | Austin Toros (D-League) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Dexter Jerome Pittman (born March 2, 1988) is an American professional basketball player.
High school
Pittman was a three-year starter at B. F. Terry High School, where he averaged 15 points and 8.5 rebounds per game over his career. In his senior season, he was named the Most Valuable Player for District 24-4A.[1] He verbally committed to the University of Texas in October 2005, over scholarship offers from Texas A&M and Arizona State.[2] He was ranked as the 16th best center prospect out of high school, as well as one of the top 150 high school players in the nation.[2]
College
Pittman was used sparingly in his first two seasons at Texas, averaging less than 3 points per game with just one start.[1] As a junior, he started 24 games–averaging 10 points and 5.5 rebounds per game[3]–and became one of the most dominant centers in the Big 12 conference.[4]
Weight loss
Pittman weighed 388 lbs [5] as a senior at Terry High School. After receiving weight loss tips from Texas' Strength and Conditioning coach Todd Wright, he was able to drop his weight to 366 lbs before enrolling at Texas.[5] His weight still prevented him from doing basic drills in practice, which caused various back and knee aches.[5] Pittman then dedicated himself to a workout program with Wright, which included 5:30 AM workouts and a complete revamp of his diet. Pittman agreed to call Todd Wright before every meal to evaluate his choices.[5] He later characterized the workout regimen as so tough that "I wanted to cry and say, 'Man, I want to give up'".[5] Since losing almost 100 pounds, he has become an icon for admirers, like Hall of Famer Charles Barkley,[6] who heard about his weight loss.[5]
Professional career
Pittman was selected in the second round of the 2010 NBA Draft, 32nd overall, by the Miami Heat. Pittman signed a 3 year deal on July 16, 2010. On November 26, Pittman was sent to the Sioux Falls Skyforce to play to help develop his basketball skills. On December 18, Pittman was recalled back to Miami. On January 6, 2011 he was once again re-assigned to the Skyforce.[7]
Dexter Pittman was selected to the 2011 NBA D-League All-Star game along with Sioux Falls Skyforce teammate Patrick Ewing Jr..
Pittman played in his first NBA game for the Miami Heat on April 1, 2011 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
On April 13, 2012, Dexter Pittman scored a career high 16 points in a 105–82 win against the Charlotte Bobcats.
In Game 5 of the 2012 Conference Semifinals against the Indiana Pacers, Pittman received a flagrant foul after he came across the lane and used his forearm to hit Lance Stephenson of the Pacers with 19.4 seconds left in the game.[8] Pittman was slapped with a flagrant foul, and was later suspended for three games due to the incident.[9]
Dexter won his first NBA championship with the Miami Heat.
Pittman was re-assigned to the Skyforce for several stints throughout his third season.[10]
On February 21, 2013, the Miami Heat traded Pittman and a second round pick to the Memphis Grizzlies for a trade exception and the rights to Ricky Sanchez.[11] On April 14, 2013, he was waived by the Grizzlies.[12]
He joined the San Antonio Spurs for the 2013 NBA Summer League.[13] In September 2013, he signed with the Chicago Bulls.[14] He was later waived by the Bulls on October 26.[15]
On November 27, 2013, he was acquired by the Springfield Armor. However, his contract was bought out by the Armor on December 3, before he appeared in a game for them. On January 6, 2014, he was acquired by the Austin Toros.[16]
NBA 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 |
Regular season
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–11 | Miami | 2 | 0 | 5.5 | .333 | .000 | .000 | 1.5 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 1.0 |
| 2011–12 | Miami | 35 | 6 | 8.6 | .468 | .000 | .643 | 2.0 | .3 | .2 | .2 | 3.0 |
| 2012–13 | Miami | 4 | 0 | 3.0 | .600 | .000 | .000 | 1.8 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 1.5 |
| 2012–13 | Memphis | 7 | 0 | 2.9 | .167 | .000 | .000 | .7 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .3 |
| Career | 48 | 6 | 7.2 | .454 | .000 | .581 | 1.8 | .2 | .2 | .2 | 2.4 |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Miami | 3 | 1 | 2.7 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .0 | .3 | .0 | .3 | .0 |
| Career | 3 | 1 | 2.7 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .0 | .3 | .0 | .3 | .0 |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Dexter Pittman". Texas Longhorns. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Dexter Pittman Profile – Basketball Recruiting". Rivals. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
- ↑ "2009 Season Statistics". TexasSports (The University of Texas). Retrieved 2009-06-27.
- ↑ Dan Hurwitz. "Texas Student-Athlete Spotlight: Dexter Pittman". Big 12 Conference. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Marlen Garcia (2009-02-11). "Heavyweight fight has Pittman in shape, ready to roll at Texas". USA Today. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
- ↑ Chuck Carlton. "Pittman's role is now what's huge at Texas". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
- ↑ "Dexter Pittman Re-Assigned To Sioux Falls Skyforce". NBA.com. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
- ↑ Tim Reynolds."Miami Heat Get Physical". Associated Press. South Florida Times. May 24, 2012. Retrieved on June 22, 2012.
- ↑ "Heat’s Haslem, Pittman suspended". HoopsWorld. May 24, 2012. Retrieved on June 22, 2012.
- ↑ 2012-13 NBA Assignments
- ↑ "Heat send Pittman, draft pick to Grizzlies". NBA.com. February 21, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
- ↑ Grizzlies waive Dexter Pittman
- ↑ Spurs Announce 2013 Las Vegas Summer League Roster
- ↑ Patrick Christopher, Mike James, Dahntay Jones, Kalin Lucas, Dexter Pittman and D.J. White in Bulls training camp
- ↑ Chicago Bulls waive Dexter Pittman, D.J. White
- ↑ Austin Toros Acquire Dexter Pittman In Trade
External links
- Career statistics and player information from NBA.com, or Basketball-Reference.com
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