Walt Lemon Jr.
| File:Walt Lemon.jpg Lemon with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants | |
| Free agent | |
|---|---|
| Position | Point guard |
| Personal information | |
| Born | July 26, 1992 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Julian (Chicago, Illinois) |
| College | Bradley (2010–2014) |
| NBA draft | 2014: undrafted |
| Playing career | 2014–present |
| Career history | |
| 2014 | EGIS Körmend |
| 2015 | Crailsheim Merlins |
| 2015–2016 | Fort Wayne Mad Ants |
| 2016–2017 | Istanbulspor Beylikduzu |
| 2017 | Rethymno Cretan Kings |
| 2017–2018 | Fort Wayne Mad Ants |
| 2018 | New Orleans Pelicans |
| 2018 | Maine Red Claws |
| 2018–2019 | Windy City Bulls |
| 2019 | Chicago Bulls |
| 2019–2020 | Fort Wayne Mad Ants |
| 2020 | Hapoel Tel Aviv |
| 2021 | Ezzahra Sports |
| 2021–2022 | Fort Wayne Mad Ants |
| 2022 | Ottawa BlackJacks |
| 2022–2023 | Club Africain |
| 2023 | Club San Carlos |
| 2023 | Mineros de Zacatecas |
| 2023–2024 | Al-Arabi |
| 2024–2025 | Shanxi Loongs |
| Career highlights | |
| |
| Stats at NBA.comLua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Stats at Basketball ReferenceLua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Stats at Basketball ReferenceLua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Women's Basketball Hall of Fame | |
Walter Lemon Jr. (born July 26, 1992) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Shanxi Loongs of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He played college basketball for four years with the Bradley Braves.[1]
High school career
[edit | edit source]Lemon attended Julian High School where he averaged 19 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals per game as a senior, earning him a third-team 3A all-state pick by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association and a second-team All-Chicago Public League.[2][3][4]
College career
[edit | edit source]After graduating, Lemon went to Bradley between 2010-2014, where he averaged 18 points and 3 rebounds as a senior. When he graduated he ranked among Bradley's all-time top 10 in career points (1721, 7th), assists (367, 10th) and steals (222, 3rd) and had several awards, including the MVC Men's Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2014, Bradley's first player ever to win the award.[2] He was named to the All‑Missouri Valley Conference Second Team in 2013 and 2014.[5]
Professional career
[edit | edit source]Körmend (2014)
[edit | edit source]After going undrafted in the 2014 NBA draft, Lemon joined the Golden State Warriors for the 2015 NBA Summer League. On September 10, 2014, he signed with Hungarian team EGIS Körmend for the 2014–15 season.[6] On December 23, 2014, he parted ways with the club after appearing in 12 league games.[7]
Crailsheim Merlins (2015)
[edit | edit source]On February 6, 2015, he signed with the Crailsheim Merlins of Germany for the rest of the season.[8] In eight games for the Merlins, he averaged 6.4 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.
Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2015–2016)
[edit | edit source]On October 31, 2015, Lemon was selected by the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the second round of the 2015 NBA Development League draft.[9]
İstanbulspor Beylikdüzü (2016)
[edit | edit source]On July 15, 2016, Lemon signed with İstanbulspor Beylikdüzü of the TBL.[10]
Rethymno Cretan Kings (2017)
[edit | edit source]On February 20, 2017, Lemon Jr. signed with the Greek team Rethymno Cretan Kings.[11]
Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2017–2018)
[edit | edit source]On November 2, 2017, Lemon was included in the opening night roster for Fort Wayne Mad Ants.[12] Lemon was later named G League Player of the Month for November.[13]
New Orleans Pelicans (2018)
[edit | edit source]On February 21, 2018, the New Orleans Pelicans signed Lemon to a 10-day contract.[14] He made his NBA debut two days later in a 124–123 overtime win over the Miami Heat, playing in four minutes that night. Lemon signed his second 10-day contract on March 4. After the expiration of his second 10-day contract, Lemon returned to Fort Wayne.[15]
Maine Red Claws (2018)
[edit | edit source]On July 25, Lemon signed a two-way contract with the Boston Celtics. During this time, he was expected to split his playing time between the Celtics and their NBA G League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws. On November 29, 2018, Lemon was waived by the Celtics without appearing in a game for the parent club.[16]
Windy City Bulls (2018–2019)
[edit | edit source]On December 8, 2018, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants announced that they had acquired the right of Alex Hamilton and a first round pick in the 2019 NBA G League draft from the Windy City Bulls in exchange for the right to Lemon.[17]
On January 16, 2019, Lemon was suspended for one game without pay and fined for directing inappropriate language toward a game official.[18]
Chicago Bulls (2019)
[edit | edit source]On March 29, 2019, the Chicago Bulls announced that they had signed Lemon.[19] On March 30, 2019, Lemon made his debut with the Bulls, scoring 19 points with 6 assists and four steals. In his third game in a Chicago Bulls uniform, in a game against the Wizards in Washington, D.C., on April 3, 2019, Lemon led all players with 24 points in a very efficient 11 of 16 from the floor while leading all players with eight assists. In the final minute of the game, Lemon hit one go ahead basket and afterwards a go-ahead free throw. On the other end of the floor Lemon played hard, tenacious defense to secure the victory for the Bulls, 115–114.
Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2019–2020)
[edit | edit source]On October 10, 2019, the Indiana Pacers announced that they had signed Lemon.[20] This comes after the release of 2x Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year JaKeenan Gant. Terms of the contract weren't released.[21] On October 16, 2019, Lemon was waived by the Indiana Pacers.[22] On October 26, 2019, Lemon was included in the training camp roster for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.[23] On November 6, 2019, Lemon was included in the opening night roster of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.[24] He averaged 20.3 points, 6.8 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game.[25]
Hapoel Tel Aviv (2020)
[edit | edit source]On August 15, 2020, Lemon signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Premier League.[26] He averaged 10.6 points, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game.[27]
Ezzahra Sports (2021)
[edit | edit source]On September 11, 2021, Lemon signed with Ezzahra Sports of the Championnat National A.[27]
Return to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2021–2022)
[edit | edit source]On December 30, 2021, Lemon signed with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G League,[28] averaging 12.3 points and 6.2 assists in 32 games.[29]
Ottawa BlackJacks (2022)
[edit | edit source]On May 2, 2022, Lemon signed with the Ottawa BlackJacks of the CEBL.[29]
Club Africain (2022–2023)
[edit | edit source]On September 22, 2022, Lemon signed with Club Africain in Tunisia.[30]
Al-Arabi (2023–2024)
[edit | edit source]In December 2023, Lemon signed with Al-Arabi of the Qatari Basketball League (QBL) for the remainder of the 2023–24 season in Qatar.[31] He guided Al-Arabi to their third Qatari Cup. He scored a game-high 24 points in the final against Al Ahli Doha.[32]
Shanxi Loongs (2024–2025)
[edit | edit source]In December 2024, Lemon signed with the Shanxi Loongs of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).[33]
Career statistics
[edit | edit source]| 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 |
NBA
[edit | edit source]Regular season
[edit | edit source]| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | New Orleans | 5 | 0 | 7.0 | .438 | 1.000 | .667 | .4 | 1.0 | .0 | .2 | 3.4 |
| 2018–19 | Chicago | 6 | 3 | 27.8 | .437 | .400 | .727 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 1.8 | .2 | 14.3 |
| Career | 11 | 3 | 18.4 | .437 | .500 | .714 | 2.6 | 3.2 | 1.0 | .2 | 9.4 | |
College
[edit | edit source]| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–11 | Bradley | 31 | 5 | 20.0 | .419 | .324 | .660 | 2.4 | .9 | .9 | .4 | 6.4 |
| 2011–12 | Bradley | 32 | 25 | 30.7 | .471 | .345 | .667 | 3.1 | 2.5 | 1.3 | .5 | 12.6 |
| 2012–13 | Bradley | 35 | 34 | 34.3 | .451 | .330 | .761 | 4.2 | 3.8 | 2.1 | .4 | 15.6 |
| 2013–14 | Bradley | 32 | 31 | 35.5 | .424 | .290 | .746 | 3.1 | 3.9 | 2.4 | .1 | 18.0 |
| Career | 130 | 95 | 30.3 | .442 | .321 | .719 | 3.2 | 2.8 | 1.7 | .3 | 13.2 | |
Personal life
[edit | edit source]He is the son of Walter Sr. and Katrina Lemon and is one of three siblings. Earning a spot on the Bradley Athletic Director's Honor Roll three times, Lemon earned his bachelor's degree in psychology.[2] Growing up in Chicago, he always wanted to be like Derrick Rose and it shows in his game with flashy passes and hard cuts to the basket.
References
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- ^ WALTER LEMON JR. LOOKS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH THE WINDY CITY BULLS - “IT’S BEEN ABOUT PLAYING TOGETHER, UNSELFISH BASKETBALL AND THAT HAS TO START WITH ME.” - WALTER LEMON JR..Retrieved November 14, 2019.
- ^ WGN (Chicago) Walter Lemon Jr. completes memorable day by helping the Bulls to a win.Retrieved November 14, 2019.
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External links
[edit | edit source]- 1992 births
- Living people
- 21st-century American sportsmen
- Al-Arabi SC basketball players
- American expatriate basketball people in Canada
- American expatriate basketball people in China
- American expatriate basketball people in Germany
- American expatriate basketball people in Greece
- American expatriate basketball people in Hungary
- American expatriate basketball people in Israel
- American expatriate basketball people in Turkey
- American men's basketball players
- Basketball players from Chicago
- BC Körmend players
- Bradley Braves men's basketball players
- Chicago Bulls players
- Club Africain basketball players
- Club San Carlos players
- Crailsheim Merlins players
- Ezzahra Sports players
- Fort Wayne Mad Ants players
- Maine Red Claws players
- Mineros de Zacatecas (basketball) players
- New Orleans Pelicans players
- Ottawa Blackjacks players
- Point guards
- Rethymno B.C. players
- Shanxi Loongs players
- Undrafted NBA players
- Windy City Bulls players