Kent Bazemore

Kenneth Lamont "Kent" Bazemore Jr. (born July 1, 1989) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). As a junior at Old Dominion University in 2010–11, Bazemore won the Lefty Driesell Award, an award given to the best defensive player in college basketball.

Kent Bazemore
Bazemore with the Atlanta Hawks in 2017
Free agent
PositionSmall forward / shooting guard
Personal information
Born (1989-07-01) July 1, 1989
Kelford, North Carolina, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High schoolBertie (Windsor, North Carolina)
CollegeOld Dominion (2008–2012)
NBA draft2012: undrafted
Playing career2012–present
Career history
2012–2014Golden State Warriors
2012–2014→Santa Cruz Warriors
2014Los Angeles Lakers
2014–2019Atlanta Hawks
2019–2020Portland Trail Blazers
2020Sacramento Kings
2020–2021Golden State Warriors
2021–2022Los Angeles Lakers
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com

College career

Bazemore, a 6'5" shooting guard from Kelford, North Carolina,[1] redshirted the 2007–08 season. As a freshman in 2008–09, Bazemore was a key rotation player for the Monarchs, averaging 4.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game[1] as ODU won the 2009 CollegeInsider.com Tournament. As a sophomore, he moved into the starting lineup and was a driving force for the Colonial Athletic Association regular-season and tournament champions. Bazemore averaged 8.4 points, 3.4 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. He was named to the CAA All-Defensive team that season.[2]

As a junior, Old Dominion repeated as tournament champions and made the 2011 NCAA tournament, losing to eventual national runner-up Butler 60–58. Bazemore averaged career highs of 12.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game and was named the CAA Defensive player of the year and second team All-Conference. He also gained national recognition, receiving the Lefty Driesell Award given to the nation's top defensive player.[3]

Prior to the 2011–12 season Bazemore was named the CAA preseason player of the year.[4] He was also named a preseason Mid-Major All-American by collegeinsider.com.[5] In his final season at ODU, Bazemore averaged 15.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.

At halftime of a game against state rival VCU on December 10, 2016, Old Dominion retired Bazemore's #24 Monarchs jersey and inducted him into the school's athletic Ring of Honor.[6]

Bazemore earned two college degrees from Old Dominion, in Human Services and Criminal Justice.[7]

Professional career

Golden State Warriors (2012–2014)

After going undrafted in the 2012 NBA draft, Bazemore joined the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Orlando Summer League and the Golden State Warriors for the Las Vegas Summer League. On July 26, he signed with Golden State.[8] During his rookie season, he was assigned multiple times to the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA Development League.[9] On March 15, 2013, he scored a season-high 14 points in a loss to the Chicago Bulls.[10]

In July 2013, Bazemore re-joined Golden State for the 2013 NBA Summer League, where he was named a Summer League All-Tournament Team Recipient. The Warriors won the Summer League championship. On February 1, 2014, he was reassigned to the Santa Cruz Warriors.[11] He was recalled by Golden State on February 2,[12] reassigned on February 11,[13] and recalled again February 12.[14]

Los Angeles Lakers (2014)

On February 19, 2014, Bazemore was traded, along with MarShon Brooks, to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Steve Blake.[15] On March 4, he tied his then career high of 23 points in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.[16] On April 7, he was ruled out of the rest of the season after suffering a torn tendon in his right foot.[17]

Atlanta Hawks (2014–2019)
Bazemore taking a free-throw for Atlanta in a game against Washington in 2015

On September 23, 2014, Bazemore signed with the Atlanta Hawks.[18] On March 28, 2015, he scored a season-high 20 points in a 115–100 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.[19]

On November 7, 2015, Bazemore scored a career-high 25 points in a 114–99 win over the Washington Wizards.[20] On December 14, 2015, he set a new career high with 28 points in a 100–88 loss to the Miami Heat.[21]

On July 7, 2016, Bazemore re-signed with the Hawks.[22] On November 8, 2016, he scored a season-high 25 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers. On January 23, 2017, he scored 25 points for a second time against the Los Angeles Clippers.[23]

On March 2, 2018, Bazemore scored a then career-high 29 points in a 114–109 loss to the Golden State Warriors.[24]

On October 24, 2018, Bazemore scored a career-high 32 points in a 111–104 win over the Dallas Mavericks.[25] On December 26, 2018, he tied a career high with 32 points in a 129–121 loss to the Indiana Pacers.[26]

On April 12, 2019, Bazemore exercised his $19.2 million player option for the 2019–20 season.[27]

Portland Trail Blazers (2019–2020)

On June 24, 2019, Bazemore was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Evan Turner.[28] He made his debut for the team on October 23, logging four points and five steals in a 100–108 loss to the Denver Nuggets.[29]

Sacramento Kings (2020)

On January 20, 2020, Bazemore was traded, alongside Anthony Tolliver and two future second-round picks, to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Trevor Ariza, Wenyen Gabriel and Caleb Swanigan.[30] Bazemore made his debut for the team two days later, scoring seven points in a 106–127 loss to the Detroit Pistons.[31]

Return to Golden State (2020–2021)

On December 1, 2020, Bazemore signed a one-year contract with the Golden State Warriors to join the team for a second stint.[32] He made his debut for the team on December 22, logging two points, two rebounds and two assists in a 99–125 loss to the Brooklyn Nets.[33] On February 17, 2021, Bazemore scored a season-high 26 points, alongside eight rebounds, three assists and three steals, in a 120–112 overtime win over the Miami Heat.[34]

Return to the Lakers (2021–2022)

On August 6, 2021, Bazemore signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.[35] On January 28, 2022, he scored a season-high 13 points in a 114–117 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.[36]

On September 21, 2022, Bazemore signed with the Sacramento Kings.[37] He was waived on October 13.[38]

On August 8, 2023, the Golden State Warriors held a free agent workout with Bazemore.[39]

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
2012–13 Golden State 6104.4.371.294.614.4.4.3.12.0
2013–14 Golden State 4406.1.371.256.528.9.5.3.12.3
L.A. Lakers 231528.0.451.371.6443.33.11.3.313.1
2014–15 Atlanta 751017.7.426.364.6003.01.0.7.45.2
2015–16 Atlanta 756827.8.441.357.8155.12.31.3.511.6
2016–17 Atlanta 736426.9.409.346.7083.22.41.3.711.0
2017–18 Atlanta 656527.5.420.394.7963.83.51.5.712.9
2018–19 Atlanta 673524.5.402.320.7263.92.31.3.611.6
2019–20 Portland 432125.8.347.327.8064.02.31.4.77.9
Sacramento 25023.1.418.384.7334.91.31.2.410.3
2020–21 Golden State 671819.9.449.408.6923.41.61.0.57.2
2021–22 L.A. Lakers 391414.0.324.363.7651.8.9.6.23.4
Career 65731020.6.413.356.7243.21.81.0.58.2

Play-in
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021 Golden State 2225.0.318.400.3334.01.53.5.510.0
Career 2225.0.318.400.3334.01.53.5.510.0

Playoffs
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013 Golden State 901.8.125.000.000.6.2.1.0.2
2015 Atlanta 16218.9.423.214.6773.3.8.7.65.4
2016 Atlanta 101032.5.364.262.6826.61.91.4.611.9
2017 Atlanta 6025.0.396.292.7143.83.3.7.89.8
Career 411219.4.379.254.6483.61.3.8.56.5

College
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2008–09 Old Dominion 35916.3.433.265.4293.11.5.9.24.5
2009–10 Old Dominion 362926.7.486.300.4864.23.41.9.58.4
2010–11 Old Dominion 343330.7.481.408.6625.12.92.2.912.3
2011–12 Old Dominion 353231.5.407.321.6326.13.12.1.315.4
Career 14010326.3.447.334.5814.62.71.8.510.1

Personal life

Bazemore is a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.[40] While with the Warriors, Bazemore was noted for his celebrations while on the team's bench, which became a fixture on YouTube and were included in the NBA 2K14 video game.[41][42] Kent married Samantha Serpe in Asheville, North Carolina in 2017 [43]

Role in Stephen Curry endorsement contract

In March 2016, ESPN writer Ethan Sherwood Strauss published a story about how Under Armour successfully signed away Stephen Curry from Nike in the 2013 offseason, and revealed that Bazemore played a significant role in the signing.

During the 2012 offseason, when Bazemore was an undrafted rookie trying to make the Warriors roster, his agent contacted Under Armour and convinced the company to take a chance on Bazemore as an endorser, noting that rising Warriors stars Curry and Klay Thompson had endorsement deals set to expire in the near future. Under Armour signed Bazemore to a deal, mainly providing massive amounts of branded merchandise—enough to allow Bazemore to provide clothing to several Warriors staff members. Once Bazemore made the team, he and his fellow North Carolinian Curry bonded over their common origins and shared work ethic. Bazemore then sold Curry on signing with Under Armour, which he did following several missteps by Nike. According to Strauss, "UA owes him [Bazemore] now. Big time." As a result, Bazemore has a six-figure deal with the company, an unusually high amount for a player of his stature in the league. The company also recognized Bazemore's role in luring Curry by signing an apparel deal with Old Dominion for seven times the amount that the school had previously received from Nike. His deal with Under Armour enabled him to provide most of the funding for ODU's new basketball practice facility.[44]

References
  1. "Kent Bazemore Player Profile". RealGM.com. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
  2. Kent Bazemore Profile Archived February 22, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, accessed November 19, 2011
  3. ODU's Bazemore named Driesell National Defensive Player of the Year, accessed November 19, 2011
  4. Drexel picked to win CAA men's basketball championship in 2011-12 accessed November 19, 2011
  5. The 2011-12 Lou Henson preseason All-America team, accessed November 19, 2011
  6. Brown, Mitch (December 10, 2016). "Monarchs drop a heartbreaker to VCU 67-64 on Bazemore Night". wtkr.com. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  7. Kent Bazemore: From Small-Town Kid to Big-Time Student-Athlete Game-Changer
  8. "Warriors Sign Rookie Free Agent Kent Bazemore". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. July 26, 2012. Retrieved July 26, 2012.
  9. 2012-13 NBA Assignments Archived March 27, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  10. Kent Bazemore 2012-13 Game Log
  11. Warriors Assign Bazemore and Brooks to Santa Cruz Warriors of NBA D-League
  12. Warriors Recall Bazemore & Brooks From Santa Cruz Warriors of NBA D-League
  13. Warriors Assign Bazemore, Brooks, and Kuzmic to Santa Cruz Warriors of NBA D-League
  14. Warriors Recall Bazemore, Brooks & Kuzmic From Santa Cruz Of NBA D-League
  15. "Lakers Acquire Bazemore and Brooks". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 19, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
  16. Notebook: Pelicans 132, Lakers 125
  17. Kent Bazemore Injury Update
  18. Hawks Sign Free Agent Guard Kent Bazemore
  19. "Hornets beat Hawks backups 115-100". NBA.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2015. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
  20. "Hawks beat Wizards 114-99 for 7th straight win". NBA.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  21. "Bloodied but undaunted, Heat snap skid against Hawks 100-88". NBA.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  22. Hawks Re-Sign Kent Bazemore
  23. Kent Bazemore 2016-17 Game Log
  24. "Curry tweaks ankle, has 28 as Warriors top Hawks". ESPN.com. March 2, 2018. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  25. "Bazemore scores 32 points, Hawks rally to beat Mavs 111-104". ESPN.com. October 24, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  26. "Young, Sabonis, Evans power Pacers past Hawks 129-121". ESPN.com. December 26, 2018. Retrieved December 27, 2018.
  27. "Hawks' Kent Bazemore: Plans to exercise option". CBSSports.com. April 12, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  28. "Trail Blazers Acquire Kent Bazemore From Atlanta in Exchange for Evan Turner". NBA.com. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  29. "JOKIC POWERS DENVER PAST PORTLAND 108-100". NBA.com. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  30. "Kings Acquire Kent Bazemore, Anthony Tolliver, 2024 and 2025 Second-Round Draft Selections". NBA.com. January 20, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  31. "ROSE, JACKSON LEAD PISTONS TO 127-106 ROUT OF REELING KINGS". NBA.com. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  32. "Warriors Sign Kent Bazemore". NBA.com/warriors. December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  33. "DURANT RETURNS WITH 22 AND A 125-99 NETS ROUT OF WARRIORS". NBA.com. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  34. "CURRY AND HIS SUPPORTING CAST RALLY WARRIORS PAST HEAT IN OT". NBA.com. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  35. "Lakers Sign Kent Bazemore". NBA.com. August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  36. "BRIDGES, HORNETS HOLD OFF SHORT-HANDED LAKERS, 117-114". NBA.com. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  37. "Kings Sign Kent Bazemore and Quinn Cook". NBA. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  38. "Kings Waive Kent Bazemore and Quinn Cook". NBA. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  39. @ShamsCharania (August 9, 2023). "The Warriors are holding free-agent workouts with veterans Dion Waiters, Tony Snell, Kent Bazemore, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Harry Giles and Trey Burke at facility over next two weeks, sources tell me and @anthonyVslater. GS has multiple round of workouts to identify signings" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  40. "About Kent | KentBazemore20.com". Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
  41. "Warriors rookie Kent Bazemore's bench celebrations are great". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  42. Augustine, Bermie. "Kent Bazemore turns starring role on Warriors bench into feature in NBA 2K14". New York Daily News. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  43. "Stunning Art Deco Inspired Biltmore Estate Wedding in North Carolina | Junebug Weddings". October 10, 2017.
  44. Strauss, Ethan Sherwood (March 24, 2016). "You won't believe how Nike lost Steph to Under Armour". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
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