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Old Tigers still roaring

The University of Memphis basketball team finished its season last week with a loss in the Elite Eight. Several former Tigers, however, continue to play in the NBA and overseas. Here's a look at what they're doing.

Rodney Carney

Carney, a forward for the Philadelphia 76ers, suffered a torn rotator cuff and labrum in his right arm in early March. However, the injury did not require surgery, and Carney missed only six games before returning to the Sixers lineup. The former Tiger standout and 16th overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft is averaging 6.5 points through 65 games this season, including 35 starts. Carney scored a career-high 25 points in 46 minutes in a 116-97 loss at Golden State in December. He is schedule to make $1,439,760 million in 2007.

Shawne Williams

Williams did not see any action in the Indiana Pacers' first 22 games this season, but things seem to be turning around for the former 17th pick in the 2006 NBA draft. Williams is averaging double-digit minutes in eight of the team's last 10 games. He scored a career-high 19 points in a 118-94 loss at New Jersey on Thursday. In 38 games, Williams is averaging 3.1 points and 1.5 rebounds in 10.4 minutes of playing time. The documentary "Strictly for the Streets: A Shawne Williams Story" is also on the way and will recount the life of Williams and his road to glory. Williams is scheduled to make $1,367,760 million in 2007.

Darius Washington, Jr.

Things have spiraled downhill for the 22-year-old former Tiger point guard since he signed with an agent two days before the 2006 NBA Draft, consequently ending his career at Memphis after his sophomore year. Washington did not get drafted and failed to make an NBA roster as a free agent. He was later drafted by the Austin Toros of the Developmental League but chose to sign with PAOK BC in Greece instead. Washington averaged 13 points per game before he hurt his arm in an auto accident in December. He was released by PAOK two months later for conduct detrimental to the team, according to the PAOK team Web site.

Antonio Burks

Burks, 27, was a second round pick of the Orlando Magic in 2004 but was immediately traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. He averaged three points in 24 games during his rookie season and just two points in 57 games the following year for the Grizzlies. He signed with the Miami Heat in 2006 but was waived before the start of the 2006-07 season. In November he inked a one-year contract with Serbian powerhouse K.K. Crvena Zvezda. Burks has averaged nine points in 18 games so far this season for the team.

Earl Barron

After graduating from Memphis in 2002, Barron signed with Tuborg Pilsener in Turkey in 2003. He then joined a team in the Philippines before heading back to the United States to play in the NBA Developmental League. In the 2004-05 season for the Huntsville Flight, Barron averaged 12 points and five rebounds and earned All-NBA Developmental Honorable Mention honors. After three seasons in the D-League, Barron signed with the Miami Heat for the 2005-06 season and remains with the Heat today. In 32 career games, Barron averages two points per game and one rebound. He also has an NBA Championship ring with the Heat.


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