|
Raja Bell (born September 19, 1976 in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands) is a basketball shooting guard who currently plays for the Utah Jazz. After spending his college career at Florida International University, Bell went undrafted, and had to get into the NBA the “hard way”.
He signed as a free agent with the San Antonio Spurs on August 2, 2000, but didn’t play a single game in a Spurs uniform. He was eventually released, and signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on April 16, 2001. He played in only five of the Sixers’ games in the 2000-01 regular season, but saw action in 15 of the team’s 23 playoff games as the 76ers advanced all the way to the NBA Finals.
Bell played in 74 games with the Sixers in the 2001-02 season, averaging 3.4 points per game, and played in three of the team’s five playoff games as the Sixers suffered a five-game playoff series loss to the Boston Celtics.
On October 1, 2002, Bell signed as a free agent with the Dallas Mavericks, and he averaged 3.1 points in 15.6 minutes per game. For the first time in his NBA career, he gained extensive starting experience, starting in 32 of the 75 games he played.
Bell averaged 5.7 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in 17 postseason games with the 2002 Mavericks as the team advanced to the Western Conference Finals.
On September 26, 2003, Bell signed with the Utah Jazz, and enjoyed what has so far been his most successful season. Bell played in all 82 of the Jazz’s games, and despite starting in only four of them, he posted career highs with 11.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 24.6 minutes per game. In the 2004-2005 season he slightly improved upon these stats with 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, despite playing in only 63 games.
Note: July 5th 2005, reported that Raja Bell, a free agent, has signed with the Phoenix Suns. Official announcement to follow.
|
Bookmark this site!
