Jerel McNeal

Jerel McNeal
No. 8 – Phoenix Suns
Position Point guard
League NBA
Personal information
Born June 1, 1987
Chicago, Illinois
Nationality American
Listed height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight 200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school Hillcrest
(Country Club Hills, Illinois)
College Marquette (2005–2009)
NBA draft 2009 / Undrafted
Pro career 2009–present
Career history
2009–2010 Belfius Mons-Hainaut (Belgium)
2010–2011 Rio Grande Valley Vipers (D-League)
2011–2012 Sutor Basket Montegranaro (Italy)
2012–2013 Bakersfield Jam (D-League)
2013 Zhejiang Golden Bulls (China)
2014–2015 Bakersfield Jam (D-League)
2015–present Phoenix Suns
Career highlights and awards

Jerel McNeal (born June 1, 1987) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Early life

McNeal was born in Chicago, Illinois to parents Edward and Meryln McNeal. He has 2 siblings (January and Jeremy). He attended Hillcrest High School along with point guard Maurice Acker, an eventual college teammate.

College career

McNeal won the Big East's Defensive Player of the Year award as a sophomore in the 2006–07 season and was the only guard on the Big East's All-First Team in 2008–09. McNeal was an Associated Press second team All-American in 2008–09 as well.

On February 10, 2009, in a 102-84 loss at Villanova, McNeal broke George Thompson's 41-year-old school record of 1,773 points.

College statistics

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2005–06 Marquette 31 31 27.5 .442 .283 .750 4.5 2.7 2.1 .5 11.1
2006–07 Marquette 29 28 30.2 .417 .313 .682 4.8 3.8 2.6 .6 14.7
2007–08 Marquette 35 35 30.2 .456 .304 .702 4.9 3.5 2.2 .4 14.9
2008–09 Marquette 31 31 33.9 .452 .407 .720 4.6 3.9 2.2 .6 20.1

Professional career

After going undrafted in the 2009 NBA draft, McNeal joined the Sacramento Kings for the 2009 Las Vegas Summer League. On September 28, 2009, he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. However, he was waived on October 19, 2009. In November 2009, he signed with Dexia Mons-Hainaut of Belgium for the 2009–10 season. In March 2010, he left Dexia after drawing a two-week suspension for a positive marijuana test.[1]

In July 2010, he joined the Charlotte Bobcats for the Orlando Summer League[2] and the Chicago Bulls for the Las Vegas Summer League. On October 9, 2010, he signed with the Houston Rockets. However, he was waived by the Rockets on October 18. On October 30, 2010, he was acquired by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. On March 9, 2011, he signed a 10-day contract with the New Orleans Hornets.[3] On March 19, he returned to the Vipers after his 10-day contract expired. He did not appear in a game for the Hornets during his 10 days with the team.[4]

In July 2011, he signed with Sutor Basket Montegranaro of Italy for the 2011–12 season.[5]

On September 21, 2012, McNeal signed with the Toronto Raptors.[6] However, he was waived by the Raptors on October 22.[7] On November 1, 2012, he was re-acquired by the Vipers. The next day, he was traded to the Bakersfield Jam.[8] On February 4, 2013, McNeal was named to the Prospects All-Star roster for the 2013 NBA D-League All-Star Game.[9]

On March 27, 2013, McNeal signed a 10 day contract with the Utah Jazz.[10] On April 6, 2013, McNeal signed with the Utah Jazz for the rest of the 2012–13 season.[11] He joined the Jazz for the 2013 NBA Summer League. On September 25, 2013, he was waived by the Jazz before appearing in a game for them.[12]

In October 2013, McNeal signed with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls for the 2013–14 season.[13] In December 2013, he was released by the Golden Bulls after 15 games. On February 24, 2014, he was reacquired by the Bakersfield Jam.

On August 4, 2014, McNeal signed a one-year deal with the Spanish team Baloncesto Sevilla.[14] However, he left the team in September 2014 before appearing in a game for them following the death of his father.[15] On January 13, 2015, he was reacquired by the Bakersfield Jam once again.[16] On April 14, he was named the NBA D-League Impact Player of the Year.[17]

On April 1, 2015, McNeal signed a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.[18] The following day, he made his NBA debut, scoring two points in a 106-107 loss to the Golden State Warriors.[19] On April 11, he signed with the Suns through the 2015–16 season.[20]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Jerel McNeal leaves Dexia Mons-Hainaut
  2. ↑ NBA Summer League Rosters - Orlando
  3. ↑ Hornets sign Jerel McNeal to a 10-day contract
  4. ↑ New Orleans Hornets' David West bracing for double-team against Celtics
  5. ↑ Sutor Montegranaro announces Jerel McNeal
  6. ↑ Raptors Sign McNeal And Wright
  7. ↑ Toronto Raptors waive Jerel McNeal and Chris Wright
  8. ↑ Bakersfield Jam Acquire Jerel McNeal from Vipers
  9. ↑ 2013 NBA Development League All-Star Game Rosters Announced
  10. ↑ "Jazz Signs Jerel McNeal to a 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. March 27, 2013. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Jazz Signs Jerel McNeal for Remainder of Season". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 6, 2013. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  12. ↑ Utah Jazz waive guard Jerel McNeal
  13. ↑ Zhejiang fills out import roster, signs Jerel McNeal
  14. ↑ "Sevilla adds McNeal at point". Eurocupbasketball.com. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  15. ↑ Marcelus Kemp moves to Sevilla for a try out
  16. ↑ Two-Time NBA D-League All-Star Jerel McNeal Returns to Bakersfield
  17. ↑ Jam Guard Jerel McNeal Named 2015 NBA Development League Impact Player of the Year
  18. ↑ Suns Sign Jerel McNeal to 10-Day Contract
  19. ↑ Barnes' shot lifts Warriors to 107-106 win over Suns
  20. ↑ Suns sign Jerel McNeal

External links