A. J. Hammons facts for kids
{{Infobox basketball biography | name = A. J. Hammons | image = File:A.J. Hammons.jpg | image_size = | caption = | position = Center | height_ft = 7 | height_in = 0 | weight_lb = 260 | birth_date = August 27, 1992 | birth_place = Gary, Indiana, U.S. | nationality = American | high_school =
- Carmel (Carmel, Indiana)
- {{nowrap|Oak Hill ([[Mouth of Wilson, Virginia)])}}
| college = Purdue (2012–2016) | draft_year = 2016 | draft_round = 2 | draft_pick = 46 | draft_team = Dallas Mavericks | career_start = 2016 | career_end = 2018 | years1 = 2016–2017 | team1 = Dallas Mavericks | years2 = 2016–2017 | team2 = →Texas Legends | years3 = 2017–2018 | team3 = Sioux Falls Skyforce | team4 = | years4 = | highlights =
- AP Honorable Mention All-American (2016)
- First-team All-Big Ten (2016)
- Second-team All-Big Ten (2015)
- Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (2016)
- 3× Big Ten All-Defensive Team (2014–2016)
- Big Ten All-Freshman Team (2013)
| bbr = hammoaj01 }}
Aaron Jarrell Hammons (born August 27, 1992) is an American former professional basketball player. He played as a center, which is a tall player who usually plays close to the basket. A. J. Hammons played college basketball for Purdue University. After college, he was chosen by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2016 NBA draft.
Contents
High School Basketball Journey
A. J. Hammons started his high school basketball career at Carmel High School in Indiana. In his second year, he averaged 8.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. This earned him an honorable mention award from the Associated Press.
Later, he moved to Oak Hill Academy. This school is famous for its basketball program. In his senior year, he averaged 7.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks per game. After graduating, experts like Scout.com and Rivals.com rated him as a four-star player. This meant he was considered one of the top young talents.
College Career at Purdue
A. J. Hammons played college basketball for the Purdue Boilermakers. In his first year, he was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. He averaged 10.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game.
In his second year, he continued to play well. He averaged 10.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game. He was recognized as Honorable Mention All-Big Ten. He also made the Big Ten All-Defensive Team for his strong defense.
As a junior, he was named second-team All-Big Ten. He also earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Defensive Team again.
His senior year was his best. Hammons averaged 15.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game. He also shot very well, making 59.2% of his shots. That season, he was named the 2016 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. He also made the first-team All-Big Ten. For the third time, he was named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team. He was even considered for the Naismith Trophy, which is given to the best college player. He was also a finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award. This award goes to the best college center.
Professional Basketball Career
Playing for the Dallas Mavericks (2016–2017)
On June 23, 2016, A. J. Hammons was chosen by the Dallas Mavericks. He was the 46th player picked in the 2016 NBA draft. A few weeks later, on July 8, 2016, he officially signed with the Mavericks. He then joined the team for the Las Vegas Summer League, where new players get to show their skills.
During his first year, he also spent time playing for the Texas Legends. This team is part of the NBA Development League. Players are sometimes sent to the G League to get more playing time and experience. With the Mavericks, he scored 9 points in three different games. He also had his best game for rebounds, grabbing 7 on April 7, 2017.
Time with the Sioux Falls Skyforce (2017–2018)
On July 7, 2017, Hammons was traded to the Miami Heat. A trade means one team sends a player to another team. In return, the Heat sent Josh McRoberts, a future draft pick, and money to the Mavericks.
However, Hammons did not play in any games for the Miami Heat. Instead, he spent most of his time playing for the Sioux Falls Skyforce. This team is the G League affiliate for the Miami Heat. On February 8, 2018, the Heat decided to release him from their team.
Personal Life
A. J. Hammons is the son of Tyrone and Alfreda Hammons. He also has a brother named Tyrone Jr. While in college, he studied organizational leadership and supervision.
See also
In Spanish: A. J. Hammons para niños
