Michael Wright (basketball) facts for kids
Wright during the 2010 PLK All-Star game
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | January 7, 1980 Chicago, Illinois |
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| Nationality | American / Turkish | |||||||||||||||||||
| Died | November 10, 2015 (aged 35) Brooklyn, New York |
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| High school | Farragut Academy (Chicago, Illinois) |
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| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 238 lb (108 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Career information | ||||||||||||||||||||
| College | Arizona (1998–2001) | |||||||||||||||||||
| NBA Draft | 2001 / Round: 2 / Pick: 39th overall | |||||||||||||||||||
| Selected by the New York Knicks | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro career | 2001–2015 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001–2002 | Śląsk Wrocław | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2002–2003 | Granada | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2003–2004 | Hapoel Tel Aviv | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2005 | Alba Berlin | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2005–2006 | Beşiktaş Cola Turka | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2006 | Jeonju KCC Egis | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2007 | Pau Orthez | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2009 | Turk Telekom | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2010 | Turów Zgorzelec | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2010–2011 | Medical Park Trabzonspor | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2012 | Turk Telekom | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2012–2014 | Mersin BB | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | Cholet Basket | |||||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Medals
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Michael Wright (born January 7, 1980 – died November 10, 2015) was a professional basketball player from the United States. He also became a citizen of Turkey and was known by his Turkish name, Ali Karadeniz. Michael played basketball in many countries, including Poland, Spain, Israel, South Korea, France, Germany, and Turkey. He sadly passed away in 2015.
Contents
High School Basketball Days
Michael Wright played basketball at Farragut Academy in high school. As a freshman, he was part of a very strong team. This team included future professional players like Willie Farley and Ronnie Fields. It also featured Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Kevin Garnett.
Wright was 2.03 meters (6 feet 8 inches) tall. After Garnett left, Wright played as a center. When he went to college, he changed his position to power forward.
College Career at Arizona
Michael Wright played college basketball at the University of Arizona. In 2001, he was a starter for the Arizona Wildcats. They played in the NCAA Division I championship game. They faced the Duke Blue Devils.
Even though he was a great college player, Michael was a bit too short for a professional center. He was also not fast enough to play small forward. Because of this, he was chosen in the second round of the 2001 NBA draft. The New York Knicks picked him as the 39th player overall.
Professional Basketball Journey
After being drafted by the New York Knicks in 2001, Michael Wright did not play for them or any other NBA team. Instead, he moved overseas to play basketball. He often changed teams almost every season. He was one of eight players from the 2001 NBA Draft who never played in an official NBA game.
Early Years in Europe
Wright started his professional career with Polish league champions Śląsk Wrocław. This team also played in the Euroleague, a top European competition. The next year, he moved to Spain and joined CB Granada.
After Granada was moved down to a lower league, Wright went to Israel. He signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv. A year later, he joined ALBA Berlin in Germany.
Playing in Turkey and Asia
In 2005, Michael moved to Turkey to play for Beşiktaş Cola Turka in the Turkish Basketball League. He started the 2006–07 season in South Korea with Jeonju KCC Egis. In October 2006, he signed with EB Pau Orthez in France, which also played in the Euroleague.
In May 2007, he returned to Turkey and signed with Türk Telekom B.K.. In September 2009, he signed a contract with Turów Zgorzelec in Poland for the 2009–10 season.
Later Career and Final Teams
In July 2011, Michael Wright went back to Türk Telekom B.K. for one season. In the summer of 2012, he signed a contract with Mersin BB.
On February 3, 2015, he signed with Cholet Basket in France. After playing in three games, Wright and Cholet Basket decided to part ways.
A Sad End
On November 10, 2015, Michael Wright was found in his car in Brooklyn, New York. His death was investigated, and it was determined to be a homicide. Two men were later charged in connection with his death.
According to his family, Michael had planned to play two more seasons in Europe before retiring from basketball.
Images for kids
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Michael Wright playing in 2010
See also
In Spanish: Michael Wright (baloncestista) para niños
