Luke Ridnour facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Luke Ridnour

Ridnour during his tenure with the Timberwolves
Personal information
Born	(1981-02-13) February 13, 1981 (age 44) Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, U.S.
High school	Blaine (Blaine, Washington)
Listed height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight	175 lb (79 kg)
Career information
College	Oregon (2000–2003)
NBA Draft	2003 / Round: 1 / Pick: 14th overall
Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics
Pro career	2003–2015
Career history
2003–2008	Seattle SuperSonics
2008–2010	Milwaukee Bucks
2010–2013	Minnesota Timberwolves
2013–2014	Milwaukee Bucks
2014	Charlotte Bobcats
2014–2015	Orlando Magic
Career highlights and awards
Third-team All-American – SN (2003) Pac-10 Player of the Year (2003) 2× First-team All-Pac-10 (2002, 2003) Pac-10 Freshman of the Year (2001) McDonald's All-American (2000) Fourth-team Parade All-American (2000) Washington Mr. Basketball (2000)
Career statistics
Points	7,740 (9.3 ppg)
Rebounds	1,877 (2.3 rpg)
Assists	3,713 (4.5 apg)

Lukas Robin Ridnour (born February 13, 1981) is an American who used to play professional basketball. He played for 12 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before joining the NBA, he played college basketball for the Oregon Ducks.

Early Life and High School Basketball

Luke Ridnour was born in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He grew up in Blaine, Washington. His dad, Rob, was his basketball coach in high school. During his second year of high school, his dad gave him the gym keys. This meant Luke could practice basketball whenever he wanted, even late at night.

Luke helped his team at Blaine High School win two state championships. In 2000, the year he graduated, he was named a high school All-American. This is a special honor for top high school athletes.

College Career at Oregon

Luke Ridnour became a star player at the University of Oregon. He played with other great players like Luke Jackson and Fred Jones. Together, they led the Oregon Ducks to the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament twice. In 2002, they even made it to the "Elite 8," which means they were one of the top eight teams in the country.

Luke set a school record for assists in a season with 218. He also made 62 free throws in a row, which was a conference record. He averaged almost 20 points and 7 assists per game. Luke left Oregon after his junior year. He was named the Pac-10 Player of the Year that year.

Professional Basketball Career

Playing for the Seattle SuperSonics (2003–2008)

Luke Ridnour was chosen as the 14th player in the 2003 NBA draft by the Seattle SuperSonics. He didn't play much in his first year. But in the 2004–05 season, he became the team's main point guard.

In 2005, he took part in the NBA All-Star weekend. He played in the Rookie Challenge and the Skills Challenge. During the 2005 NBA Playoffs, Luke and the Sonics made it to the conference semifinals. They lost to the San Antonio Spurs, who later won the championship. On November 13, 2006, Luke scored his highest points in a game, with 32 points. This helped Seattle win against the New Jersey Nets.

Time with the Milwaukee Bucks (2008–2010)

On August 13, 2008, Luke was part of a big trade involving three teams. This trade sent him to the Milwaukee Bucks. This ended his five years with the Sonics (who became the Oklahoma City Thunder). On January 22, 2010, Luke scored 27 points in a game against the Toronto Raptors.

Playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves (2010–2013)

On July 21, 2010, Luke Ridnour signed a four-year contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. On February 22, 2012, he made a game-winning shot right at the buzzer against the Utah Jazz.

Back to Milwaukee (2013–2014)

On July 11, 2013, Luke was traded back to the Milwaukee Bucks. This was part of another three-team trade.

Short Stays with Other Teams (2014–2015)

On February 20, 2014, Luke was traded to the Charlotte Bobcats. Then, on July 25, 2014, he signed with the Orlando Magic. His last NBA game was on April 1, 2015.

Retirement from Basketball

In June 2015, Luke Ridnour became famous for being traded four times in just six days! He was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, then to the Charlotte Hornets, then to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and finally to the Toronto Raptors. Luke said in an interview that he found the whole situation "funny." He and his family were at home in Seattle while all these trades were happening. On July 9, 2015, the Raptors decided not to keep him.

On September 21, 2015, Luke announced he would not play in the 2015–16 season. On June 22, 2016, Luke Ridnour officially announced he was retiring from professional basketball.

NBA Career Statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Personal Life

Luke Ridnour is a Christian. He has talked about his faith. He said that even with success and fame, his relationship with God is what brings him true peace.

See also

In Spanish: Luke Ridnour para niños

• List of National Basketball Association career free throw percentage leaders