D. J. Strawberry

Darryl Eugene Strawberry

Nickname(s)	D. J.
Position	Point guard Shooting guard
Height	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight	205 lb (93 kg)
Team	Hapoel Migdal Jerusalem
Born	June 15, 1985 (1985-06-15) (age 26) New York City, New York
Nationality	American
High school	Mater Dei
College	Maryland
Draft	2nd round, 59th overall, 2007 Phoenix Suns
Pro career	2007–present
Career history	Phoenix Suns (2007-08) Albuquerque Thunderbirds (2007-08) Fortitudo Bologna (2008-09) Reno Bighorns (2010-11) BC Lietuvos Rytas (2011)
Awards	LKL All-Star (2011)

Darryl Eugene "D. J." Strawberry, Jr. (born June 15, 1985 in New York City) is an American professional basketball player. He is the son of former Major League Baseball player Darryl Strawberry.

High school

A graduate of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, Strawberry built a reputation for hard-nosed defense. During his senior year, he was involved in a nationally-televised matchup against St. Vincent - St. Mary High School of Akron, Ohio, where he was assigned the task of defending their star player and future NBA superstar LeBron James. Strawberry was lauded for his efforts, which included holding James to a 33% shooting performance (0-for-8 from beyond the three-point line) and forcing him into seven turnovers.

College

At 6-feet 5-inches tall, Strawberry assumed the role of a swingman for the Maryland Terrapins, and he was much valued for his on-the-ball defense. He averaged nearly 2 steals per game, leading his team in that category. He was also valued for his off-the-bench intensity; it is felt that Maryland's absence from the 2005 NCAA Tournament was due in no small part to a season-ending ACL injury Strawberry suffered in mid-January of that year.

While he was primarily a swingman, a lack of depth pressed Strawberry into the role of point guard during his junior year. He had various degrees of success in this new role, leading the team in both assists (4.0) and turnovers per game (2.9).

Strawberry received Honorable Mention All-ACC Freshman honors. During his junior year, he received Honorable Mention All-ACC Defensive Team honors, becoming the eighth player in Maryland history to lead the team in both steals and assists. In his senior season, Strawberry was voted to second team All-ACC.

Professional career

Strawberry was drafted by the Phoenix Suns with the 59th selection in the 2007 NBA Draft. He was signed on August 28, 2007 to a two-year contract.^[1]

NBA D-League (2007-2008)

On December 18, 2007, it was announced he was assigned to the Albuquerque Thunderbirds of the NBA D-League.^[2] He was named Performer of the Week for the week ending January 6. Strawberry was recalled to the Suns in place of another rookie, Alando Tucker, on January 10, 2008.^[3]

2008-2009 season

On August 25, 2008, he was traded to the Houston Rockets for Sean Singletary,^[4] but was waived on October 24. At the end of that month, he joined Italian club Fortitudo Bologna.^[5]

In April, 2009, he suffered a meniscus injury to his left knee, ending his season in Italy. He then returned to the United States for surgery, and in July, 2009 he began a 6-month program in Los Angeles.

2009-present

In January 2010, Strawberry joined the Reno Bighorns of the NBA D-League.^[6]

Strawberry was included in the Los Angeles Lakers 2010 Summer League roster.^[7]

On September 17, 2010, he was signed by the New Orleans Hornets to a non-guaranteed one-year deal.^[8] He was waived on October 20. Afterwards, Strawberry re-signed with the Reno Bighorns.^[9]

In January 2011 he signed with BC Lietuvos Rytas in Lithuania until the end of 2010-11 season.^[10]

Strawberry then joined Hapoel Migdal Jerusalem.^[11]

NBA career statistics

Legend
GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field-goal percentage	3P%	3-point field-goal percentage	FT%	Free-throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high

Regular season

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2007–08	Phoenix	33	0	8.2	.315	.240	.474	.8	.9	.4	.2	2.2
Career		33	0	8.2	.315	.240	.474	.8	.9	.4	.1	2.2

Playoffs

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2007–08	Phoenix	1	0	5.0	.000	.000	.000	1.0	.0	.0	.0	.0
Career		1	0	5.0	.000	.000	.000	1.0	.0	.0	.0	.0

References

1. ^ Suns sign D.J. Strawberry
2. ^ Phoenix recalls D-League performer of the week Tucker
3. ^ Tucker heads to D-League, Strawberry is recalled
4. ^ Suns trade Strawberry to Rockets for rookie guard Singletary
5. ^ Fortitudo Bologna lands D.J. Strawberry
6. ^ Reno Bighorns announce they have acquired two new players
7. ^ http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/10summerleague.html
8. ^ http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ssf/2010/09/new_orleans_hornets_add_two_pl.html
9. ^ "Bighorns Re-Sign D.J. Strawberry". KOLOTV.com. http://www.kolotv.com/sports/headlines/110735169.html. Retrieved 28 November 2010. 
10. ^ L. RYTAS tops backcourt with Strawberry
11. ^ Hapoel strengthen their roster with Strawberry

External links

• Maryland Terrapins profile
• NBA.com draft prospect profile
• Draft Express profile
• ESPN profile

Persondata
Name	Strawberry, D. J.
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	June 15, 1985
Place of birth	New York City, New York
Date of death
Place of death