The NBA season began with former University of Memphis standouts scattered throughout the league. Much has changed for a few former Tigers since the NBA All-Star Break, with trades, signings and one devastating injury.
Derrick Rose, by far the most notable former Tiger in the NBA, suffered another major knee injury, the Chicago Bulls announced on Tuesday. The former MVP has a medial meniscus tear in his right knee, which is the same injury that sidelined him all but 10 games last year.
The 26-year-old Chicago native has struggled to stay on the court since winning the MVP award in 2011. After playing only 39 games in the 2011-12 season, Rose went down with a torn ACL in his left knee during the playoffs. Since then he has played only 56 games in three years.
Rose seemed to have put the injuries past him. He was averaging 18.4 points, five assists and 3.1 rebounds per game this season. He’s played in more games this season (46) then in any season since his 2010-11 MVP campaign, when he played in all but one game.
With the latest injury, Rose will face surgery to repair the meniscus again. This will be his third knee surgery in three years.
Not only is this a devastating situation for Rose and the Chicago Bulls, but so many questions surround his latest injury woes and his future.
How long will he be out? Will the Bulls take a chance on him again and hope he can make another return? And ultimately, will he ever be the player that he once was?
Only time will tell, but in the meantime his fans and teammates can just hope for the best.
Since the All-Star Break, there have also been a few former Tigers involved in trades.
Will Barton, drafted 40th overall to the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2012 Draft, was traded to the Denver Nuggets prior to the trade deadline.
Before being traded, Barton averaged only three points and 1.1 rebounds in just 10 minutes per game with the Trail Blazers. Since being traded though, The Nuggets seem to be giving the 24-year-old more of an opportunity to show off his talent.
In the two games Barton played in a Denver jersey, he’s only averaged 23.5 minutes per game off the bench, but he’s taken full advantage of the opportunity. Barton averaged 11.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and two assists per game with Denver.
Another former Tiger, Shawne Williams has bounced around the league this season. He began the year with the Miami Heat, but just before the trade deadline Miami traded Williams to the New Orleans Pelicans. Since then, New Orleans released the former No. 17 pick in the 2006 Draft.
Williams didn’t stay without a team for too long though. The Detroit Pistons claimed the 29-year-old small forward off waivers Tuesday. Williams has averaged 6.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game this season.
Earl Barron, 33, was just signed to a ten-day contract with the Phoenix Suns. Barron, a member of the Memphis Tigers from 1999-2003, dominated the NBA developmental league this season, before being called up to the Suns. The 7-foot 250-pound power forward averaged 20.5 points and 10.9 rebounds in the d-league.
After five years of struggling to stay with a team, fan favorite and Tiger great, Chris Douglas-Roberts or CDR began the season with the Los Angeles Clippers. He seemed to finally be on track to play in a contributing role and get solid minutes, but high hopes never panned out for the 6-7 wing. CDR only played 12 games before being traded to Boston in January and ultimately being released.
Two Tigers who stayed put all season are Tyreke Evans and Joey Dorsey.
Evans, a member of the 2009 Sweet-Sixteen Tigers, played a strong season for the New Orleans Pelicans. He currently averages 16.6 points, 6.3 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game.
Dorsey played a reserve center role for the Houston Rockets all year. The 6’9 275 pound center signed a two-year deal with Houston back in July. He currently averages 2.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.
