Raja Bell facts for kids
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Bell with the Phoenix Suns in 2007
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 19, 1976 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 |
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| 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 | |
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| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 6,998 (9.9 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 1,968 (2.8 rpg) |
| Assists | 1,208 (1.7 apg) |
Raja Dia Bell (born September 19, 1976) is an American former professional basketball player. He played as a shooting guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Raja Bell was known for his strong defense and three-point shooting. He was chosen twice for the NBA All-Defensive Team.
After his playing career, Bell worked as a director of player development for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He now hosts a podcast for The Ringer.
Contents
- Raja Bell's Early Life and College Years
- Raja Bell's Professional Basketball Career
- Starting with the Yakima Sun Kings (1999–2000)
- Playing for the Philadelphia 76ers (2001–2002)
- Time with the Dallas Mavericks (2002–2003)
- Joining the Utah Jazz (2003–2005)
- Success with the Phoenix Suns (2005–2008)
- Moving to the Charlotte Bobcats (2008–2009)
- Brief Time with the Golden State Warriors (2009–2010)
- Returning to the Utah Jazz (2010–2013)
- Raja Bell's Retirement from Basketball
- Raja Bell's Life After Playing
- Raja Bell's Personal Life and Family
- Images for kids
- See also
Raja Bell's Early Life and College Years
Raja Bell was born in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. He grew up in the Miami, Florida, area. He went to Ponce de Leon Junior High, Gulliver Academy, and Miami Killian Senior High School.
Bell started his college basketball career at Boston University. He was named Freshman of the Year in the America East Conference. After two years, he left Boston University. He then transferred to Florida International University (FIU) in Miami. Bell finished college in 1999 but was not chosen in the 1999 NBA draft.
Raja Bell's Professional Basketball 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). He helped the Sun Kings win a CBA championship in 2000. He was also named to the CBA All-Rookie Team that year.
Playing for the Philadelphia 76ers (2001–2002)
Bell joined the Philadelphia 76ers in April 2001. He first signed two short-term contracts. He then signed for the rest of the 2000–01 NBA season. He played limited minutes in regular season games. However, he played in 15 of the team's 23 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 signed with the Dallas Mavericks. He averaged 3.1 points in 15.6 minutes per game. For the first time, he started many games, beginning 32 of the 75 games he played.
Bell averaged 5.7 points and 3.0 rebounds in 17 playoff games. The Mavericks reached the Western Conference Finals in 2003.
Joining the Utah Jazz (2003–2005)
Bell signed with the Utah Jazz in September 2003. This was a very successful period for him. He played in all 82 of the Jazz's games. Even though he started only four games, he achieved career highs. He averaged 11.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. In the 2004–05 NBA season, his stats improved slightly. He averaged 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists.
Success with the Phoenix Suns (2005–2008)
Raja Bell signed with the Phoenix Suns in August 2005. Playing alongside Steve Nash, he became a very important player. He started in all 79 games he played during the 2005–06 Phoenix Suns season. He averaged 14.7 points per game.
Bell also made 44.2% of his three-point shots that season. This was a career high for him. He was supposed to be in the 2006 NBA Three-Point Shootout. However, he could not participate due to a family illness.
A well-known event in Bell's career happened in the 2006 NBA Playoffs. In Game 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers, Bell fouled Kobe Bryant. Bell was ejected from the game. He later explained he was reacting to an earlier hit from Bryant. Bell was suspended for one game. The Suns went on to win the series in 7 games.
In the next round of the 2006 NBA Playoffs, Bell showed his ability to perform under pressure. In Game 5 against the Los Angeles Clippers, he hit a three-pointer in overtime. This shot tied the game and sent it into double-overtime. The Suns won that game. In Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, Bell got a calf injury. This made him miss the next two games. He returned in Game 4 to help the Suns tie the series. However, they eventually lost to the Mavericks.
In January 2007, Bell was suspended for one game. This was for kicking Andrea Bargnani during a game against the Toronto Raptors. Bell finished the 2006–07 Phoenix Suns 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. He moved with Boris Diaw and Sean Singletary. In return, the Suns received Jason Richardson, Jared Dudley, and a draft pick. This trade happened after a slow start to the season for Bell. His role had changed under the new coach, Terry Porter.
Brief Time with the Golden State Warriors (2009–2010)
In November 2009, Bell was traded to the Golden State Warriors. He was traded along with Vladimir Radmanović. In exchange, the Warriors sent Stephen Jackson and Acie Law. Bell 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 clear the way for Stephen Curry to become the main point guard for Golden State.
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 after two seasons. By agreement, he spent much of the 2012–13 NBA season away from the team. He was still under contract during this time. On March 10, 2013, the Jazz released Bell from his contract.
Raja Bell's Retirement from Basketball
On February 13, 2014, Raja Bell officially announced his retirement from playing basketball.
Raja Bell's Life After Playing
Working as an Executive
On October 1, 2014, the Cleveland Cavaliers hired Raja Bell. He became the team's Director of Player Administration. He left this role in September 2015. He said he wanted to spend more time with his family.
Working in Sports Media
In August 2020, Bell started hosting episodes of The Ringer NBA Show. He hosts the show with Logan Murdock.
Raja Bell's Personal Life and Family
In July 2004, Raja Bell married his girlfriend, Cindy Greenman. On May 2, 2007, Cindy gave birth to their first child, Dia. This happened just hours before a playoff game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Suns won that game. His wife gave birth to their second child, Tai Brooklyn, on November 8, 2008.
Raja Bell has a sister named Tombi Bell. She was also a professional basketball player in the WNBA. She played college basketball at 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.
On June 17, 2024, Raja's son, Dia, announced his decision to play football for the University of Texas at Austin. Dia is considered one of the top high school quarterbacks in the 2026 recruiting class.
Images for kids
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Bell with the Phoenix Suns in 2007
See also
In Spanish: Raja Bell para niños
