Dexter Pittman

Dexter Pittman

Pittman with the Texas Longhorns
No. 25 – TED Ankara Kolejliler
Position Center
League Turkish Basketball League
Personal information
Born March 2, 1988
Rosenberg, Texas
Nationality American
Listed height 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
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 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
2013 Foshan Long Lions (China)
2013–2014 Austin Toros (D-League)
2014 Atlanta Hawks
2014 Caciques de Humacao (Puerto Rico)
2014–present TED Ankara Kolejliler (Turkey)
Career highlights and awards

Dexter Jerome Pittman (born March 2, 1988) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for TED Ankara Kolejliler of the Turkish Basketball League (TBL). He played college basketball for the University of Texas.

High school career

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]

Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Pittman was listed as the No. 16 center and the No. 150 player in the nation in 2006.[2]

College career

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]

College statistics

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2006–07 Texas Longhorns 29 0 5.3 .604 .000 .471 1.8 .1 .2 .3 2.6
2007–08 Texas Longhorns 36 1 6.8 .559 .000 .561 2.4 .2 .1 .5 2.8
2008–09 Texas Longhorns 35 24 16.6 .616 .000 .691 5.5 .4 .4 .9 10.1
2009–10 Texas Longhorns 34 34 19.1 .654 .000 .556 5.9 .5 .4 1.9 10.4
Career 134 59 12.2 .623 .000 .601 3.9 .3 .2 .9 6.6

Professional career

Pittman was selected with the 32nd overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft by the Miami Heat. On July 16, 2010, he signed a multi-year deal with the Heat. On November 26, 2010, Pittman was assigned to the Sioux Falls Skyforce. On December 18, 2010, he was recalled by the Heat. On January 6, 2011, he was re-assigned to the Skyforce.[7] He was later selected to the 2011 NBA D-League All-Star game. Pittman made his NBA debut on April 1, 2011 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Heat made it to the 2011 NBA Finals but lost to the Dallas Mavericks in six games.

On April 13, 2012, Pittman scored a career high 16 points in a 105–82 win against the Charlotte Bobcats. In Game 5 of the 2012 Conference semi-finals against the Indiana Pacers, Pittman was assessed 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 later suspended for three games due to the incident.[9] The Heat advanced to the 2012 NBA Finals and won the series against Oklahoma City Thunder in five games, giving Pittman his first championship.

During the 2012–13 season, Pittman was assigned multiple times to the Skyforce.[10]

On February 21, 2013, the 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]

Pittman joined the San Antonio Spurs for the 2013 NBA Summer League.[13] In September 2013, he signed with the Chicago Bulls.[14] However, he was later waived by the Bulls on October 26, 2013.[15]

On November 27, 2013, Pittman 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. He subsequently signed with the Foshan Long Lions of China as an injury-replacement for Shavlik Randolph.[16] Later that month, he left Foshan after seven games.

On January 6, 2014, Pittman was acquired by the Austin Toros.[17]

On February 22, 2014, Pittman signed a 10-day contract with the Atlanta Hawks.[18] On February 27, 2014, he was waived by the Hawks.[19] On March 2, 2014, he was reacquired by the Toros. On April 10, 2014, he signed with the Houston Rockets.[20] A few days later, he was released by the Rockets before appearing in a game for them.[21][22][23]

On April 19, 2014, Pittman signed with Caciques de Humacao for the 2014 BSN season.[24]

On September 29, 2014, Pittman signed with the Atlanta Hawks.[25] However, he was later waived by the Hawks on October 21, 2014.[26] On November 27, 2014, he signed with TED Ankara of Turkey for the rest of the 2014–15 season.[27]

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
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
2013–14 Atlanta 2 0 1.5 .000 .000 .000 1.5 .0 .0 .0 .0
Career 50 6 6.9 .450 .000 .545 1.8 .2 .2 .2 2.3

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

NBA D-League

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2010–11 Sioux Falls 22 22 27.7 .536 .000 .548 8.2 1.2 .4 1.7 14.5
2012–13 Sioux Falls 15 12 24.9 .470 .000 .767 8.8 .3 .9 1.7 12.4
2013–14 Austin 28 20 20.5 .556 .000 .705 6.8 .5 .5 2.3 11.3
Career 65 54 24.0 .527 .000 .652 7.7 .7 .6 1.9 12.6

CBA

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013–14 Foshan 7 0 18.7 .649 .000 .441 3.1 .4 .3 1.0 12.7
Career 7 0 18.7 .649 .000 .441 3.1 .4 .3 1.0 12.7

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Dexter Pittman". Texas Longhorns. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  2. ↑ Dexter Pittman Recruiting Profile
  3. ↑ "2009 Season Statistics". TexasSports (The University of Texas). Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  4. ↑ Dan Hurwitz. "Texas Student-Athlete Spotlight: Dexter Pittman". Big 12 Conference. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ Chuck Carlton. "Pittman's role is now what's huge at Texas". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  7. ↑ "Dexter Pittman Re-Assigned To Sioux Falls Skyforce". NBA.com. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  8. ↑ Tim Reynolds."Miami Heat Get Physical". Associated Press. South Florida Times. May 24, 2012. Retrieved on June 22, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Heat’s Haslem, Pittman suspended". HoopsWorld. May 24, 2012. Retrieved on June 22, 2012.
  10. ↑ 2012-13 NBA Assignments
  11. ↑ "Heat send Pittman, draft pick to Grizzlies". NBA.com. February 21, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  12. ↑ Grizzlies waive Dexter Pittman
  13. ↑ Spurs Announce 2013 Las Vegas Summer League Roster
  14. ↑ Patrick Christopher, Mike James, Dahntay Jones, Kalin Lucas, Dexter Pittman and D.J. White in Bulls training camp
  15. ↑ Chicago Bulls waive Dexter Pittman, D.J. White
  16. ↑ CBA: NBA Center Dexter Pittman will Replace Injured Shavlik Randolph in Foshan
  17. ↑ Austin Toros Acquire Dexter Pittman In Trade
  18. ↑ HAWKS SIGN DEXTER PITTMAN TO 10-DAY CONTRACT
  19. ↑ HAWKS RELEASE DEXTER PITTMAN
  20. ↑ Rocket Sign Dexter Pittman
  21. ↑ Rockets release Dexter Pittman, may sign Josh Powell
  22. ↑ Rockets To Release Dexter Pittman
  23. ↑ Rockets waive center Dexter Pittman
  24. ↑ Caciques de Humacao sign Dexter Pittman
  25. ↑ Hawks Sign Jarell Eddie and Dexter Pittman
  26. ↑ Hawks Waive Jarell Eddie and Dexter Pittman
  27. ↑ TED Ankara announces Dexter Pittman

External links