Ronnie Price

Ronnie Price

Price in March 2010
Free agent
Position Point guard
Personal information
Born (1983-06-21) June 21, 1983
Friendswood, Texas
Nationality American
Listed height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight 190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school Clear Brook
(Friendswood, Texas)
College
NBA draft 2005 / Undrafted
Playing career 2005–present
Career history
2005–2007 Sacramento Kings
2007–2011 Utah Jazz
2011–2012 Phoenix Suns
2012–2013 Portland Trail Blazers
2013–2014 Orlando Magic
2014–2015 Los Angeles Lakers
2015–2016 Phoenix Suns
Career highlights and awards
  • NCAA Independent Player of the Year (2005)
  • 2× NCAA All-Independent Team (2004, 2005)

Ronald D'Wayne "Ronnie" Price (born June 21, 1983) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Price grew up in Friendswood, Texas and played college basketball for one year at Nicholls State and three years at Utah Valley State (now Utah Valley). Price was not drafted in the 2005 NBA draft and played for the Sacramento Kings from 2005 to 2008. Price then played for the Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Orlando Magic, and Los Angeles Lakers before returning to Phoenix for a second stint.

Early life and college career

Price was born and raised in Friendswood, Texas and graduated from Clear Brook High School in 2001 as an honor roll student with a 3.4 grade point average.[1] At 5-foot-7, Price was considered undersized as a senior and was not offered any basketball scholarships out of high school.[2] In 2001, Price enrolled at Nicholls State University of Thibodaux, Louisiana and walked on to the Colonels basketball team.[3] He grew to 6 feet by the beginning of his freshman season and averaged 11.3 points per game.[1][4] At 6-foot-1 by the end of his freshman year, Price transferred to Utah Valley State College (now Utah Valley University) in Orem, Utah.[5]

As a sophomore (2002–03), Price averaged 15.3 points per game, earning Honorable Mention honors in the NJCAA Region 18. UVSC became a four-year institution the following year, and Price decided to stay as the school transitioned to NCAA Division I basketball. He improved his scoring average to 20.2 points per game as a junior (2003–04), leading the Wolverines to the Division I Provisional National Championship. The Wolverines finished the season with a 23–5 record. Price scored a career-high 37 points in a game twice during the season.[6]

In his senior season (2004–05), Price averaged 24.3 points per game, ranking third in the nation in that category albeit unofficially due to Utah Valley's status as a provisional Division I member. For his efforts, he was named Division I Independent Player of the Year. He finished his senior year with a terrific performance, scoring a season-high 36 points (27 in the second half) in a 71–52 victory over Northern Colorado.[6]

Price was inducted into the Utah Valley University Hall of Fame on February 4, 2010 at halftime of Utah Valley's game against Texas–Pan American.[7]

Professional career

Sacramento Kings (2005–2007)

Price worked out for the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons after going undrafted in the 2005 NBA draft.[8] On August 3, 2005, Price signed a guaranteed two-year contract with the Sacramento Kings.[9] Price became the first player to enter the NBA directly from Utah Valley University.[10] He played sporadically in his rookie season: in 29 games, Price averaged 5.2 minutes and 2.1 points. On December 22 against the Dallas Mavericks, Price had his only game that season in double figures, with 11 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist in 18 minutes.[6]

In the 2006–07 season, Price got more playing time with 58 games and one start and averaged 9.7 minutes, 3.3 points, and 1.2 rebounds. On November 22, Price scored a career-high 16 points in a game against the Utah Jazz on November 22, 2006, including a dunk over Carlos Boozer that NBA.com panelists considered one of the most memorable plays of the season.[6][11] Price started his first NBA game on December 5 against the Phoenix Suns and scored 2 points in 13 minutes.[6]

Utah Jazz (2007–2011)

In July 2007, Price signed a free agent contract with the Jazz. He started the season as third-string point guard, behind Deron Williams and Jason Hart (Hart for the second time). Price eventually replaced Hart as the main backup to Williams. He played in 61 games in 2007–08, averaging 3.7 points per game. He made highlight reels again after a block he had on Luke Walton in game 4 of the second round of the 2008 NBA Playoffs against the L.A. Lakers. Walton appeared to have a breakaway layup or dunk when Price unexpectedly caught up with him at the last moment and blocked him soundly, despite their difference in height. This was after receiving 4 stitches and a large bandage above his right eye following a flagrant foul from Ronny Turiaf earlier in the game.

Phoenix Suns (2011–2012)

On December 13, 2011, Price signed a one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns to replace Zabian Dowdell.[12] Starting 8 of 36 games, Price averaged 3.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.9 steals.[13] Price had three games with double-figure scoring, including a season-high 18 points on January 13 against the New Jersey Nets.[14]

Portland Trail Blazers (2012–2013)

On July 18, 2012, Price signed with the Portland Trail Blazers.[15] Price played 39 games in the 2012–13 season for Portland and averaged 2.7 points, 1.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.7 steals.[13] On February 21, 2013, Price was released by the Trail Blazers to create roster space for Eric Maynor after the team traded draft rights to Georgios Printezis to the Oklahoma City Thunder.[16]

Orlando Magic (2013–2014)

On July 25, 2013, Price signed with the Orlando Magic.[17] On July 2, 2014, he was waived by the Magic.[18]

Los Angeles Lakers (2014–2015)

On September 24, 2014, Price signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.[19] On December 7, 2014, Price was moved into the starting line-up in place of Jeremy Lin.[20] On February 24, 2015, Price was ruled out for the rest of the 2014–15 season after undergoing surgery to remove a bone spur in his right elbow.[21]

During his time with the Lakers, Price recorded career-best numbers in points (5.1), assists (3.8), and steals (1.6).

Return to Phoenix (2015–2016)

On July 17, 2015, Price signed a one-year deal with the Phoenix Suns, returning to the franchise for a second stint.[22][23] Entering his second stint with the team, Price accepted a third-string point guard role behind young guards Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight, and embraced a part-time role in order to be more of a mentor.[24] On December 23, 2015, Price made a career-high six three-pointers and scored a career-high 20 points in a loss to the Denver Nuggets.[25] On January 15, 2016, he was ruled out for a month after undergoing surgery on his right big toe.[26] He returned to action on February 19 against the Houston Rockets.[27] Price played in a career-high 62 games for the Suns in 2015–16, and recorded a career-high 5.3 points per game.

On August 14, 2016, Price signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder.[28] However, he was later waived by the Thunder on October 24 after appearing in five preseason games.[29]

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
2005–06 Sacramento 29 0 5.2 .362 .222 1.000 .5 .4 .2 .0 2.1
2006–07 Sacramento 58 1 9.7 .390 .323 .673 1.2 .8 .5 .1 3.3
2007–08 Utah 61 3 9.6 .431 .347 .684 .8 1.3 .5 .0 3.7
2008–09 Utah 52 17 14.2 .379 .311 .756 1.3 2.1 .8 .1 4.0
2009–10 Utah 60 4 13.4 .405 .286 .695 1.2 2.1 .7 .2 4.3
2010–11 Utah 59 0 12.2 .352 .290 .744 1.0 .9 .7 .1 3.3
2011–12 Phoenix 36 8 14.4 .377 .295 .800 1.6 1.9 .9 .1 3.6
2012–13 Portland 39 0 13.1 .325 .256 .708 1.1 1.9 .7 .1 2.7
2013–14 Orlando 31 2 12.2 .304 .209 .692 1.4 2.1 .8 .1 2.4
2014–15 L.A. Lakers 43 20 22.8 .345 .284 .800 1.6 3.8 1.6 .1 5.1
2015–16 Phoenix 62 18 19.5 .384 .347 .756 1.6 2.4 1.2 .1 5.3
Career 530 73 13.5 .375 .305 .737 1.2 1.8 .8 .1 3.8

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2006 Sacramento 4 0 2.3 .000 .000 .000 .0 .3 .0 .0 .0
2008 Utah 12 0 5.7 .323 .214 .769 .3 .9 .5 .2 2.8
2009 Utah 2 0 8.0 .300 .000 1.000 1.5 2.5 .5 .0 4.0
2010 Utah 10 0 9.0 .292 .286 .500 1.0 1.4 .4 .1 2.0
Career 28 0 6.5 .294 .208 .696 .6 1.1 .4 .1 2.2

References

  1. 1 2 "Ronnie Price". Utah Valley State College. Archived from the original on March 2, 2005.
  2. ↑ The value of backup Suns point guard Ronnie Price goes beyond numbers
  3. ↑ Robinson, Doug (May 14, 2008). "The Price is right for Jazz". Deseret News. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Player Profiles: 2001-2002 Colonels". Nicholls State University Athletics. Archived from the original on October 22, 2002.
  5. ↑ "2002-2003 Player Roster (men's basketball)". Utah Valley State College. Archived from the original on March 19, 2003.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Ronnie Price biography". NBA. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  7. ↑ Ruff, Wesley. "Price honored as UVU wins". ABC 4 KTVX (Salt Lake CIty). Archived from the original on February 6, 2010.
  8. ↑ Buckley, Tim (May 19, 2005). "Price works out for Jazz". Deseret News. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  9. ↑ Amick, Sam. "Petrie mostly mum about dealings". Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on August 5, 2005.
  10. ↑ "Jazz guard Price to be inducted into UVU hall of fame". KSL. February 1, 2010. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  11. ↑ "2007 Mid-Season Awards -- Best Dunk". NBA. January 24, 2007. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  12. ↑ Associated Press (December 13, 2011). "Suns waive Zabian Dowdell". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  13. 1 2 "Ronnie Price". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  14. ↑ "Ronnie Price 2011-12 Game Log". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  15. ↑ Freeman, Joe (July 19, 2012). "Blazers add veteran point guard Ronnie Price". The Oregonian. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  16. ↑ Haynes, Chris (February 21, 2013). "Ronnie Price waived to make room for Eric Maynor". Comcast Sports Net Northwest. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  17. ↑ Magic Sign Ronnie Price
  18. ↑ Magic Waive Ronnie Price
  19. ↑ "Lakers Sign Ronnie Price". NBA.com. September 24, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2014.
  20. ↑ Jeremy Lin, Carlos Boozer benched by Lakers; Ronnie Price, Ed Davis start
  21. ↑ Ronnie Price (elbow) out for season
  22. ↑ "Suns Sign Teletovic, Weems, Price". NBA.com. July 17, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
  23. ↑ Sonny Weems, Ronnie Price to join Suns as backup guards
  24. ↑ Ronnie Price ideally fits, accepts Phoenix Suns role
  25. ↑ Foye scores 31 points, Nuggets bounce back to beat Suns
  26. ↑ Suns guard Ronnie Price has surgery on right big toe
  27. ↑ James Harden leads Rockets past free-falling Suns, 116-100
  28. ↑ "Thunder Signs Ronnie Price". NBA.com. August 14, 2016. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Thunder Waives Four". NBA.com. October 24, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
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