Raja Bell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Raja Bell

Bell with the Phoenix Suns in 2007
Personal information
Born	(1976-09-19) September 19, 1976 (age 48) Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Nationality	American
High school	Miami Killian (Miami, Florida)
Listed height	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight	210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
College	Boston University (1994–1996) FIU (1997–1999)
NBA Draft	1999 / Undrafted
Pro career	1999–2013
Career history
1999–2000	Yakima Sun Kings
2001–2002	Philadelphia 76ers
2002–2003	Dallas Mavericks
2003–2005	Utah Jazz
2005–2008	Phoenix Suns
2008–2009	Charlotte Bobcats
2009–2010	Golden State Warriors
2010–2013	Utah Jazz
Career highlights and awards
NBA All-Defensive First Team (2007) NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2008) CBA All-Rookie Team (2000) First-team All-TAAC (1998) North Atlantic Conference Rookie of the Year (1995)
Career NBA statistics
Points	6,998 (9.9 ppg)
Rebounds	1,968 (2.8 rpg)
Assists	1,208 (1.7 apg)

Raja Dia Bell is a former professional basketball player from America. He was born on September 19, 1976. He played for several teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA). These teams included the Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Bobcats, and Golden State Warriors. Raja was known for his strong defense. He was even chosen twice for the NBA All-Defensive Team. After playing, he worked for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now, he hosts a podcast for The Ringer.

Early Life and College Basketball

Raja Bell was born on Saint Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He grew up in the Miami, Florida area. He went to Ponce de Leon Junior High School, Gulliver Academy, and Miami Killian Senior High School.

He started his college basketball career at Boston University. There, he was named Freshman of the Year for the America East Conference. After his second year, Bell left Boston University. He then transferred to Florida International University (FIU) in Miami. Bell was not chosen by any team in the 1999 NBA draft after college.

Raja Bell's Professional Career

Starting with the Yakima Sun Kings (1999–2000)

Raja Bell began his professional journey with the Yakima Sun Kings. This team was part of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). In 2000, he was selected for the CBA All-Rookie Team.

Playing for the Philadelphia 76ers (2001–2002)

Bell signed with the San Antonio Spurs in August 2000 but did not play for them. He later signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in April 2001. He played limited minutes in his first season. However, he played in 15 playoff games.

In Game 7 of the 2001 Eastern Conference Finals, Bell scored 10 points. This helped the 76ers win against the Bucks. He also played in all five games of the 2001 NBA Finals. In the 2001–02 NBA season, Bell played in 74 games. He averaged 3.4 points per game.

Time with the Dallas Mavericks (2002–2003)

In October 2002, Bell joined the Dallas Mavericks. He averaged 3.1 points in 15.6 minutes per game. He started in 32 of the 75 games he played. This was his first time starting so many games in the NBA.

Bell averaged 5.7 points and 3.0 rebounds in 17 playoff games. The Mavericks reached the Western Conference Finals that year.

Joining the Utah Jazz (2003–2005)

Bell signed with the Utah Jazz in September 2003. This was a very successful time for him. He played in all 82 games for the Jazz. He set new career highs with 11.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.

In the 2004–05 NBA season, he improved his stats even more. He averaged 12.3 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.

His Years with the Phoenix Suns (2005–2008)

In August 2005, Bell signed with the Phoenix Suns. He became a key player for the team. He started in all 79 games he played in the 2005–06 NBA season. He averaged 14.7 points per game.

Bell also made 44.2% of his three-point shots that season. He was supposed to be in the 2006 NBA Three-Point Shootout. However, he could not participate due to a family illness.

One famous moment happened in the 2006 NBA Playoffs. In a game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Bell fouled Kobe Bryant. Bell was ejected from the game. He explained that he was reacting to Bryant hitting him. Bell was suspended for one game. The Suns won that series in 7 games.

In the next round of the 2006 NBA Playoffs, Bell made a clutch three-pointer. It was in Game 5 against the Los Angeles Clippers. This shot tied the game and sent it to double-overtime. The Suns won and took a 3-2 lead in the series. Bell later got a calf injury in the Western Conference Finals. He missed some games but returned to help the Suns.

In January 2007, Bell was suspended for one game. This was for kicking Andrea Bargnani during a game. Bell finished the 2006–07 season with 205 three-point shots made. This tied him for the league lead.

Moving to the Charlotte Bobcats (2008–2009)

In December 2008, Bell was traded to the Charlotte Bobcats. This trade happened because the Suns wanted to change their team. Bell had a slower start to the season with the Suns.

Time with the Golden State Warriors (2009–2010)

In November 2009, Bell was traded to the Golden State Warriors. He played only one game for the Warriors. In that game, he scored 11 points and made all three of his three-point attempts. He was released from the team in March 2010. This trade helped Stephen Curry become the main point guard for the Warriors.

Returning to the Utah Jazz (2010–2013)

In July 2010, Bell signed a three-year contract to return to the Utah Jazz. However, his relationship with the team became difficult. He spent much of the 2012–13 season away from the team. On March 10, 2013, the Jazz released Bell.

Retirement from Basketball

On February 13, 2014, Raja Bell officially announced that he was retiring from basketball.

After His Playing Career

Working as an Executive

On October 1, 2014, the Cleveland Cavaliers hired Bell. He became the team's Director of Player Administration. He left this job in September 2015. He said he wanted to spend more time with his family.

Sports Media Work

In August 2020, Bell started hosting episodes of The Ringer NBA Show. He hosts it with Logan Murdock.

Personal Life and Family

In July 2004, Raja Bell married Cindy Greenman. On May 2, 2007, Cindy gave birth to their first child, Dia. This happened just hours before a playoff game. The Suns won that game. Their second child, Tai Brooklyn, was born on November 8, 2008.

Raja has a sister named Tombi Bell. Tombi is also a former WNBA basketball player. She played for the University of Florida. She also coached the Miami Hurricanes women's basketball team.

Raja Bell has been a vegetarian since he was two years old. He also does not eat eggs. In June 2024, Raja's son, Dia, decided to play football for the University of Texas at Austin. Dia is a top quarterback in high school.

NBA Career Statistics

Here are Raja Bell's statistics from his time in the NBA.

Regular Season Stats

Playoff Stats

See Also

In Spanish: Raja Bell para niños

• List of National Basketball Association career 3-point field goal percentage leaders