Sonny Weems facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Sonny Weems

Weems playing for Anadolu Efes in 2018
No. 23 – Shenzhen Leopards
Small forward / shooting guard
Personal information
Born	(1986-07-08) July 8, 1986 (age 39) West Memphis, Arkansas, U.S.
High school	West Memphis (West Memphis, Arkansas)
Listed height	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight	205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
College	Arkansas–Fort Smith (2004–2006) Arkansas (2006–2008)
NBA Draft	2008 / Round: 2 / Pick: 39th overall
Selected by the Chicago Bulls
Pro career	2008–present
League	CBA
Career history
2008–2009	Denver Nuggets
2008–2009	→Colorado 14ers
2009–2011	Toronto Raptors
2011–2012	Žalgiris Kaunas
2012–2015	CSKA Moscow
2015–2016	Phoenix Suns
2016	Philadelphia 76ers
2016–2017	Maccabi Tel Aviv
2017–2018	Zhejiang Golden Bulls
2018	Anadolu Efes
2018–2022	Guangdong Southern Tigers
2022–2023	Shanxi Loongs
2023–2024	Guangdong Southern Tigers
2024	Shijiazhuang Xianglan
2024–Present	Shenzhen Leopards
Career highlights and awards
CBA Finals MVP (2020) 3× CBA champion (2019–2021) All-EuroLeague First Team (2014) 3× VTB United League champion (2013–2015) All-VTB United League First Team (2013) All-Russian League Second Team (2013) LKL All-Star (2012) LKL All-Star Day Slam Dunk champion (2012) LKF Cup winner (2012) First-team All-SEC (2008) LKL champion (2012) NJCAA third-team All-American (2005)

Clarence "Sonny" Weems (born July 8, 1986) is an American professional basketball player for the Shenzhen Leopards in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He plays the shooting guard and small forward positions.

Weems played college basketball for the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith and the University of Arkansas. He was picked by the Chicago Bulls in the 2008 NBA draft but was soon traded to the Denver Nuggets. He later played for the Toronto Raptors, Phoenix Suns, and Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA. Weems has also played for top teams in Lithuania, Russia, and China. In 2014, he was chosen for the All-EuroLeague First Team, a major honor in European basketball.

Early Life and Overcoming Challenges

When Sonny Weems was born, he had a condition called cleft feet. Doctors told his family that he might have trouble walking or running. As a young boy, he had to wear special corrective shoes at night, which were painful.

Despite these challenges, Weems grew up to be a talented athlete. In high school, he became a state champion in both the long jump and high jump. This showed his amazing determination and strength.

High School and College Career

Weems played basketball at West Memphis High School. As a senior, he led his team to a state championship. He was also a star in track and field, able to jump 6 feet 10 inches in the high jump.

After high school, Weems went to a junior college, the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. He was ranked as the best junior college player in the country. In 2006, he led his team to a national championship.

Success with the Arkansas Razorbacks

Weems then transferred to the Arkansas Razorbacks. In his senior year, he was named to the first team All-SEC. He led the Razorbacks to a big win in the NCAA tournament against Indiana University. In that game, he scored 31 points. Later that year, he won the College Slam Dunk Championship.

Professional Basketball Journey

Weems with the Toronto Raptors in 2012

Weems has played for many teams around the world. His career shows his skill and ability to adapt to different leagues.

Starting in the NBA

In the 2008 NBA draft, the Chicago Bulls selected Weems. However, he was immediately traded to the Denver Nuggets. He started his career playing for the Colorado 14ers, the Nuggets' team in the NBA Development League (now the G League). He played very well, averaging 18 points per game.

In January 2009, he was called up to the Nuggets and made his NBA debut. He later played for the Toronto Raptors, where he had some of his best NBA games. In November 2010, he scored a career-high 25 points against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Playing in Europe

In 2011, Weems moved to Europe to play for Žalgiris Kaunas in Lithuania. He was a star player, averaging 15.5 points per game in the EuroLeague, Europe's top basketball competition.

From 2012 to 2015, Weems played for CSKA Moscow, one of the best teams in Russia. He helped the team win the VTB United League championship three times. In 2014, he was named to the All-EuroLeague First Team, recognizing him as one of the five best players in the league that season.

Return to the NBA

In 2015, Weems returned to the NBA, signing with the Phoenix Suns. He later played briefly for the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016.

Success in China

Weems has had a very successful career in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He first played for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls, where he averaged an incredible 31.7 points per game.

From 2018 to 2022, he played for the Guangdong Southern Tigers. He led the team to three straight CBA championships from 2019 to 2021. In 2020, he was named the Finals MVP for his outstanding performance.

In January 2022, Weems was the target of unacceptable racial comments from some fans after a game. The CBA and other players, including Jeremy Lin, spoke out against this behavior, showing their support for Weems.

After playing for the Shanxi Loongs, Weems returned to the Guangdong Southern Tigers for the 2023-2024 season. In October 2024, he signed with the Shenzhen Leopards.

Giving Back to the Community

Weems is also known for his work off the court. In May 2020, he donated protective masks to his hometown of West Memphis, Arkansas, to help during the Coronavirus pandemic. He wanted to make sure that older people and families with low incomes received the masks first.

In June 2024, Weems helped lead a meeting called the Athletes Abroad Summit. The event was designed to help American athletes who play sports in other countries.

Career Statistics

NBA

Regular season

EuroLeague

Source: RealGM

See also

In Spanish: Sonny Weems para niños