NBA Update

Update on Former Tar Heels in the NBA

Jan. 17, 2006

After 11 weeks of the NBA regular season several former Tar Heels have made major contributions for their teams. With the addition of the four Carolina players taken in the top 15 picks of the 2005 NBA draft, the league now boasts ten players with roots at the University of North Carolina.

Update on former Tar heels in the NBA:

Vince Carter, New Jersey Nets - Leads the team and ranks 11th overall in the NBA in points per game with an average of 25.2. He scored 51 points against the Miami Heat on December 23, tying a career-high that he previously set in 2000 with the Toronto Raptors against the Phoenix Suns. Carter posted 34 points and 6 rebounds last week in the Nets' loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The team currently sits in first place in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference and will look to end a three-game losing streak when they travel to Philadelphia to face the 76ers on Wednesday night.

Raymond Felton, Charlotte Bobcats - Since the Bobcats selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft he has averaged 22.9 minutes per game with an average of 7.6 points and 3.8 assists. Felton has started at guard in each of the team's last five games. As starter in these games he has averaged 11.6 points. In last week's game against the Milwaukee Bucks, he scored 19 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out six assists. The Bobcats return to action on Wednesday when they travel to Indiana to face the Pacers.

Brendan Haywood, Washington Wizards - Has started at center in 34 of the team's 36 games. Heading into week 12, he averages 8.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Haywood recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds in the Wizards' most recent victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. He currently ranks in the top 20 in the NBA in offensive rebounds and blocks. The Wizards will look to build on a four-game winning streak when they face the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.

Antawn Jamison, Washington Wizards - Leads the team and ranks ninth overall in the NBA in rebounds per game with an average of 9.6. He averages 18.2 points per game heading into the 12th week of play. Jamison ranks 10th in the NBA in double-doubles with 16, which includes his most recent outing against the Philadelphia 76ers in which he scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. The Wizards return to action against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.

Sean May, Charlotte Bobcats - Since the Bobcats selected him with the 13th pick in the 2005 NBA draft he has averaged 8.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He recorded his first career double-double when his posted 15 points and 10 rebounds against the Orlando Magic on November 15. May has not played in a game since December 20 due to the re-aggravation of a knee injury. In September May underwent successful arthroscopic surgery to remove damaged cartilage in his right knee.

Rashad McCants, Minnesota Timberwolves - Since being selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 14th pick in the 2005 NBA draft, he has averaged 4.5 points per game. McCants has scored 14 points on two occasions. In the Timberwolves' most recent victory against the Denver Nuggets, he scored 11 points and tied a season-high in rebounds with 6. The Timberwolves return to action against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.

Jeff McInnis, New Jersey Nets - Signed with the Nets as a free agent on August 11, 2005 to begin his 11th season in the NBA. He currently averages 5.3 points and 1.9 assists per game. McInnis scored a season-high 16 points against the Houston Rockets on November 16. The division-leading Nets return to action against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.

Jerry Stackhouse, Dallas Mavericks - In his 13th NBA season he averages 11.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. He posted 20 points last week in his top scoring performance of the season. The outing included a last second jumper to win the game against the Boston Celtics by a score of 104-102. Stackhouse missed the first 26 games of the season with a sore right knee. The Mavericks return to action against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

Rasheed Wallace, Detroit Pistons - Returned for his 14th NBA season and has started at forward in each of the Pistons' 34 games. He averages 14.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game for the 30-5 Pistons. In the January 12th rematch of last year's NBA Championship between the Pistons and the San Antonio Spurs, Wallace led all scorers with 27 points to guide his Pistons to an 83-68 victory. The outing marked his fifth double-double of the season. The Pistons return to action against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

Marvin Williams, Atlanta Hawks - Since the Hawks selected him as the second overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft he has averaged 6.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. He currently averages 22.3 minutes per game. Williams posted a career-high 26 points against the Miami Heat on December 20. In the 11th week of play he scored 10 points to help the Hawks to a 94-83 victory over the Houston Rockets. The Hawks return to action on Wednesday night when they host the defending Eastern Conference Champion Detroit Pistons.