A Career Week for Florida Gators in the NBA

Feb 10, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors power forward Marreese Speights (5) celebrates after scoring a three point basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Both Wizards guard Bradley Beal and Warriors forward Marreese Speights had career nights this past week. Not only were their performances special, but Bulls center Joakim Noah notched a triple-double and Grizzlies guard Nick Calathes has found his groove in the NBA as well. Here’s more on the 12 Gators on NBA squads heading into the All-Star Break in New Orleans:

Bradley Beal (2011-2012), Washington Wizards
Beal was a beast Tuesday night, scoring a career-high 37 points while shooting 15-24 from the floor. He was 5-of-7 from long-range and picked up 5 rebounds and two assists. On the week, Beal averaged 20.5 points, 4.3 assists, and 4 rebounds. Beal will participate in the NBA All-Star Weekend’s Rising Stars Challenge pitting Sophomores versus Rookies and the Three-Point Contest.

Matt Bonner (1999-2003), San Antonio Spurs
Bonner played in four games this past week, averaging 3.5 points and 4.3 boards in 16.5 minutes. Bonner will get a chance to rest this weekend as he will not be apart of the festivities.

Corey Brewer (2004-2007), Minnesota Timberwolves
Brewer had a solid week after missing last Wednesday’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Against the Portland Trailblazers Saturday, Brewer scored 26 points with 7 rebounds. He also had a good game against the Denver Nuggets last night when he scored 22 points and 5 steals.

Nick Calathes (2007-2009), Memphis Grizzlies
Calathes has found his NBA groove, scoring double-digits in all four games this week. He also added at least 5 assists in each game. Calathes averaged 14.3 points, 5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 2.5 steals during the week.

Mike Miller (1998-2000), Memphis Grizzlies
Miller played limited minutes with an illness last week, but didn’t miss a game. Miller averaged 2.5 points and 1.5 rebounds during the week. Miller will use the time off for All-Star Weekend to get healthy again.

Udonis Haslem (1998-2002), Miami Heat
Haslem has not seen action in Heat games since January 29 due to a coach’s decision.

Al Horford (2004-2007), Atlanta Hawks
Horford is out for the rest of the year after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair his right pectoral muscle.

David Lee (2001-2005), Golden State Warriors
Lee missed two out of four games this past week with a shoulder injury. But he returned for Monday and Wednesday’s games and recorded his 26th and 27th double-double. Lee averaged 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 assists in those two games. Lee will have the weekend to rest his ailing shoulder before action begins the next week.

Marreese Speights (2006-2008), Golden State Warriors
Speights went off Monday night against Philadelphia scoring a career-high 32 points with 8 boards and 3 blocks in a blowout win over the 76ers. He had no more than 4 points and 4 rebounds in the three other games he played in last week. On the season, Speights is averaging 6.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

Erik Murphy (2009-2013), Chicago Bulls
Murphy was kept out of the three Bulls games this week due to a coach’s decision. He hasn’t played since February 3.

Joakim Noah (2004-2007), Chicago Bulls
Noah had another solid week, putting together two double-doubles and a triple-double in back-to-back-to-back games.  He had 11 assists and 10 rebounds, while being held to 7 points in Thursday’s loss at Golden State. Noah rebounded Sunday with 20 points and 13 rebounds in win at the LA Lakers. He finished up the week strong, notching a triple-double against the Atlanta Hawks, scoring 19 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists. Noah was named an All-Star Reserve for the Eastern Conference so look for him to contribute in Sunday’s contest.

Chandler Parsons (2007-2011), Houston Rockets
Parsons notched a double-double with 18 points and 12 boards against the Wizards Wednesday night, but had a pedestrian week besides that. He averaged 15.3 points, 6 rebounds, and 5.3 assists over the week. Parsons will have the weekend off for the All-Star Game.

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