Eight Longhorns on NBA Opening Day Rosters
AUSTIN, Texas - A total of eight former University of Texas men's basketball players will be on NBA rosters as the league commences the 2013-14 regular season on Tuesday night.
The Longhorns' eight players are LaMarcus Aldridge (Trailblazers), D.J. Augustin (Raptors), Avery Bradley (Celtics), Kevin Durant (Thunder), Jordan Hamilton (Nuggets), Cory Joseph (Spurs), Tristan Thompson (Cavaliers) and P.J. Tucker (Suns).
The 2013-14 NBA season begins on Tuesday with three night games – Orlando at Indiana, Chicago at Miami and Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers.
LaMarcus Aldridge Blazers - F - 6-11 - 8th season - age: 28
Selected to the NBA All-Star Game for a second consecutive season in 2012--13. Begins his eighth season in Portland, holding a career average of 18.3 points per game. Averaging more than 20 points per game in each of the last three seasons. Has played his entire professional career with the Blazers, but was originally selected by the Bulls in the first round (second pick overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft.
D.J. Augustin Pacers - G - 6-0 - 6th season - age: 25
Playing his first season with the Raptors after spending last year with the Indiana Pacers and his first four years with the Charlotte Bobcats (9th pick of the 2008 NBA Draft). The former All-American and Bob Cousy Award winner averaged double-digit points per game and over six assists per game in his last two seasons with the Bobcats. Through his first five seasons in the league, he is averaging 9.6 ppg and 4.0 apg.
Avery Bradley Celtics - G - 6-2 – 4th season - age: 22
Begins his fourth season with the Celtics. Started in 50 games last season and totaled 461 points (9.2 per game). Selected by Boston as the 19th pick of the 2010 NBA Draft.
Kevin Durant Thunder - F - 6-9 - 7th season - age: 25
Has finished in the top two of the NBA in scoring in each of the last four seasons. Represented the Thunder at the NBA All-Star Game for a fourth consecutive year in 2012-13. Reached the NBA Finals in 2011-12. Four-time All-NBA First Team and 2012 NBA All-Star MVP. Boasts career averages of 28.1 points per game on 47.5 percent shooting from the field - 28.6 points per game during the playoffs. Consensus National Player of the Year during his freshman season at Texas.
Jordan Hamilton Nuggets - G-F - 6-7 – 3rd season - age: 23
Played in a career-high 40 games in 2012-13 - averaged 9.9 minutes per game and 5.2 points per game. Selected by Dallas as the 24th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft (traded to Denver on draft night).
Cory Joseph Spurs - G - 6-3 – 3rd season - age: 22
Begins his third season with the Spurs after averaging 4.5 points per game in 28 contests last season. After his freshman season at UT, was one of three Longhorns selected in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft as the 29th pick by the Spurs.
P.J. Tucker Suns - F - 6-6 – 3rd season - age: 28
After taking a five-year hiatus from the NBA to play overseas, Tucker played 79 games and averaged 6.4 points per game for the Suns in his first season back in the league. Declared himself eligible for the NBA Draft after his junior year.
Tristan Thompson Cavaliers - C - 6-9 – 3rd season - age: 22
The fourth pick of the 2011 NBA Draft started all 82 games as a second-year player last season for the Cavaliers. Averaged nearly a double-double, posting 11.7 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.
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