Nate Wolters

Nate Wolters (born May 15, 1991) is an American professional basketball player who last played for Panathinaikos of the Greek Basket League and the EuroLeague. He played college basketball for South Dakota State University and was an All-American for the Jackrabbits in 2013. He was selected by the Washington Wizards with the 38th overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft.[1]

Nate Wolters
Wolters with Crvena zvezda, 2017
Free agent
PositionPoint guard
Personal information
Born (1991-05-15) May 15, 1991
St. Cloud, Minnesota, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High schoolSt. Cloud Tech
(St. Cloud, Minnesota)
CollegeSouth Dakota State (2009–2013)
NBA draft2013: 2nd round, 38th overall pick
Selected by the Washington Wizards
Playing career2013–present
Career history
2013–2015Milwaukee Bucks
2015New Orleans Pelicans
2015Grand Rapids Drive
2015–2016Beşiktaş
2016–2017Crvena zvezda
2017Utah Jazz
2017→Salt Lake City Stars
2018Élan Chalon
2018–2019Žalgiris Kaunas
2019–2020Maccabi Tel Aviv
2020–2021UNICS Kazan
2021–2022Crvena zvezda
2022–2023Panathinaikos
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com

College career

Wolters, a 6'4" point guard from Technical Senior High School in St. Cloud, Minnesota, chose South Dakota State over Colorado State and North Dakota State[1] after averaging 24.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game as a senior.[2] As a freshman, Wolters played in all 30 games for the Jackrabbits, starting 11. For the season he averaged 10.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game and was named to The Summit League all-newcomer team.[2] In his sophomore season, Wolters moved into the starting lineup full-time and became one of the conference's top players. He averaged 19.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists. He led the league in assists and helped the team to a 19–12 record—the program's first winning season as a member of NCAA Division I.[1]

As a junior, Wolters led the team to more new territory. The team finished the 2011–12 season with a 27–7 record, finishing second in the Summit League regular season. The second-seeded Jackrabbits beat Western Illinois 52–50 in overtime to advance to their first Division I NCAA tournament. Wolters was named tournament Most Valuable Player.[3] In the NCAA Tournament, #14 seed South Dakota State played third-seeded Baylor in a tightly contested game, ultimately losing 68–60.[4] Individually, Wolters averaged 21.2 points, 5.9 assists (again leading the conference) and 5.1 rebounds per game. He was named first team all-conference and an honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press.[5]

Entering his senior season, Wolters was named preseason Summit League player of the year.[6] He also was named to the preseason watch lists for the Senior CLASS Award[7] and the Naismith College Player of the Year award. He also made the midseason lists for the Wooden Award (final 25 candidates)[8] and the Bob Cousy Award (final 20).[9] On January 18, 2013, Wolters surpassed the 2,000 point mark for his college career in a win against Western Illinois.[10] Wolters led the Jackrabbits to their second NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament in 2013. A No. 13 seed, they played No. 4 seed Michigan, losing 71–56.[11]

Professional career

Milwaukee Bucks (2013–2015)

Wolters was selected with the 38th overall pick in 2013 NBA draft by the Washington Wizards. He was later traded to the Philadelphia 76ers on draft night. The next day, he was again traded, this time to the Milwaukee Bucks.[12] In July 2013, he joined the Bucks for the 2013 NBA Summer League and went on to sign his rookie scale contract with the franchise on August 1.[13] As the only healthy point guard the Bucks had on opening night of the 2013–14 season, Wolters ended up playing 30 minutes in his NBA debut, recording nine points, one rebound, four assists, one steal and one block in a 90–83 loss to the New York Knicks.[14] With Luke Ridnour and Brandon Knight out injured, Wolters started seven of Milwaukee's first nine games and averaged 26.2 minutes per game in November. Wolters averaged 8.3 points and 2.7 assists in 17 games after the All-Star break and later started the last 24 games he played in during his rookie season, most of the time alongside Knight as former coach Larry Drew opted to start two point guards.[15] His season ended, however, with 13 games left in the regular season when he suffered a fractured left hand fighting through a screen at Golden State on March 20.[16]

His hand injury did not require surgery and didn't prevent Wolters from missing any time in the offseason as he re-joined the Bucks for the 2014 NBA Summer League.[16] He went on to play sparingly to begin the 2014–15 season under new head coach Jason Kidd and was eventually waived by the Bucks on January 9, 2015, to create roster space to sign veteran big man Kenyon Martin.[17]

New Orleans Pelicans (2015)

On January 14, 2015, Wolters signed a 10-day contract with the New Orleans Pelicans.[18] Two days later, he made his debut for the Pelicans in a 96–81 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, recording two rebounds and one assist in six minutes off the bench.[19] On January 24, 2015, he signed a second 10-day contract with the Pelicans.[20] Following the conclusion of his second 10-day contract on February 3, the Pelicans decided against signing him for the rest of the season.[21]

Grand Rapids Drive (2015)

On March 6, 2015, Wolters was acquired by the Grand Rapids Drive of the NBA Development League.[22] The next day, he made his D-League debut in a 105–96 loss to the Sioux Falls Skyforce, recording five points, two rebounds and four assists in 21 minutes off the bench.[23] On March 29, 2015, Wolters recorded his first career triple-double after posting 24 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in a 108–107 win over the Maine Red Claws.[24]

Beşiktaş (2015–2016)

In July 2015, Wolters joined the Los Angeles Clippers for the 2015 NBA Summer League. However, a fractured middle finger on his left hand ended his summer league stint early after appearing in just three games.[25]

On July 24, 2015, Wolters signed with Turkish team Beşiktaş Sompo Japan for the 2015–16 season.[26] On March 24, 2016, he parted ways with Beşiktaş.[27] In 21 Turkish national league games, he averaged 11.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.

On September 15, 2016, Wolters signed with the Denver Nuggets,[28] but was waived on October 22 after appearing in four preseason games.[29]

Crvena zvezda (2016–2017)

On October 24, 2016, Wolters signed a one-year deal with Serbian team Crvena zvezda.[30]

Utah Jazz (2017)

On September 13, 2017, Wolters signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz. Under the terms of the deal, he split time between the Jazz and their NBA G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars.[31] On December 22, 2017, he was waived by the Jazz after appearing in five games.[32]

Élan Chalon (2018)

On January 17, 2018, Wolters signed with Élan Chalon in France.[33]

Žalgiris Kaunas (2018–2019)

On July 8, 2018, Wolters joined Žalgiris Kaunas of the Lithuanian Basketball League, signing a one-year deal with an option for another one.[34] Wolters helped Žalgiris reach the 2019 EuroLeague Playoffs, where they eventually were eliminated by Fenerbahçe. He also helped Žalgiris win their 9th consecutive LKL championship.

Maccabi Tel Aviv (2019–2020)

On June 23, 2019, Wolters signed a two-year deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Premier League and the EuroLeague.[35] He averaged 7.5 points and 2.6 assists per game in Euroleague.[36]

BC UNICS (2020–2021)

On July 25, 2020, Wolters signed with Russian club UNICS Kazan of the VTB United League and the EuroCup.[37] He averaged 8.3 points and 3.0 assists per game.[38]

Return to Crvena zvezda (2021–2022)

On August 10, 2021, Wolters returned to Crvena zvezda for a second stint with the Serbian club.[38] He won the ABA League and Serbian Cup in the 2021–22 season with them. He received the Radivoj Korać Cup MVP Award.[39] In June 2022, Walters went to the U.S. upon the club's approval on personal matters, excluding him for the Serbian League season.[40]

Panathinaikos (2022–2023)

On July 15, 2022, Wolters signed a one-year contract with Panathinaikos of the Greek Basket League and the EuroLeague.[41] In 23 EuroLeague games (17 starts), he averaged 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists, playing around 21 minutes per contest. Additionally, in 14 domestic league matches, he averaged 6 points, 3 rebounds and 2.6 assists, playing around 17 minutes per contest. Wolters suffered multiple injuries throughout the season and was eventually excluded from the club's final roster for the Greek Basket League play-offs, thus ending his stint with the Greens prematurely. On July 2, 2023, Wolters was officially released from the Greek powerhouse.

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  PIR  Performance Index Rating
 Bold  Career high

Regular season
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013–14 Milwaukee 583122.6.437.290.6562.63.2.6.37.2
2014–15 Milwaukee 11012.9.387.000.2501.5.9.5.02.3
2014–15 New Orleans 10010.6.286.000.5001.81.1.3.21.7
2017–18 Utah 503.8.167--.4.2.0.0.4
Career 843118.8.423.261.6352.22.5.5.25.5

EuroLeague
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2016–17 Crvena zvezda 27115.1.435.380.7812.12.2.7.07.16.8
2018–19 Žalgiris 281922.9.512.368.6942.83.8.8.011.211.6
Career 552019.1.481.373.7352.53.0.7.09.29.3

College
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2009–10 South Dakota State 301224.3.388.364.8313.42.81.1.210.1
2010–11 South Dakota State 313133.2.447.404.7964.66.01.3.219.4
2011–12 South Dakota State 343435.8.448.241.7835.15.91.7.021.2
2012–13 South Dakota State 333338.1.485.379.8135.55.81.7.122.2
Career 12811033.0.451.342.8034.75.21.5.118.4

Source: RealGM

See also

References
  1. Norlander, Matt (November 20, 2012). "The next cult hero: How Nate Wolters put himself, South Dakota State on the map". CBSSports.com. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  2. "Nate Wolters bio". GoJacks.com. South Dakota State athletic. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  3. "SDSU Wins First Summit League Men's Crown". TheSummitLeague.org. The Summit League. March 7, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  4. "Baylor withstands South Dakota State's challenge". ESPN.com. March 15, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  5. "Morrison and Wolters Receive AP All-America Awards". TheSummitLeague.org. The Summit League. March 26, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  6. "South Dakota State, Wolters Headline Preseason Poll Results". TheSummitLeague.org. The Summit League. October 17, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  7. "Men's and women's basketball candidates announced for the 2012-13 Senior CLASS Award". SeniorClassAward.com. Senior CLASS Award. October 31, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  8. "John R. Wooden Award Presented By Wendy's 2012-13 Midseason Top 25". WoodenAward.com. Wooden Award. Archived from the original on December 11, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  9. "Final 20 Candidates Announced for 2013 Bob Cousy Award". HoopHall.com. Naismith Memorial Basketball HOF. January 10, 2013. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  10. Tanner, Mike (January 18, 2013). "Wolters Tops 2,000 Career Points". KNSIRadio.com. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  11. "Glenn Robinson III leads No. 4 Michigan past No.13 South Dakota State". ESPN.com. March 22, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  12. "Bucks Acquire Draft Rights to Nate Wolters". NBA.com. June 28, 2013. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  13. "Bucks Sign Second Round Pick Nate Wolters". NBA.com. August 1, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  14. "Notebook: Knicks 90, Bucks 83". NBA.com. October 30, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  15. "Nate Wolters 2013-14 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  16. Gruman, Andrew (October 24, 2014). "Bucks player profile: Nate Wolters". FoxSports.com.com. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  17. "Bucks Sign Kenyon Martin to a 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. January 9, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  18. "Pelicans Sign Nate Wolters to 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. January 14, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  19. "Noel has double-double in 76ers' 96-81 win over Pelicans". NBA.com. January 16, 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  20. "Pelicans Sign Nate Wolters to Second 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. January 24, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  21. Eichenhofer, Jim (February 4, 2015). "Monty Williams says Pelicans added Toney Douglas for depth, experience". NBA.com. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  22. "Drive Acquires Nate Wolters". OurSportsCentral.com. March 6, 2015. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  23. "FOURTH QUARTER EXPLOSION LEADS SKYFORCE PAST DRIVE". NBA.com. March 7, 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  24. "Grand Rapids Drive 107 - Maine Red Claws 108". G-League Stats. March 29, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  25. "FRACTURED FINGER ENDS WOLTERS' STRONG SUMMER LEAGUE". NBA.com. July 8, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  26. "Nate Wolters officially signs with Besiktas". Sportando.com. July 24, 2015. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  27. "Besiktas, Nate Wolters officially part ways". Sportando.com. March 24, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  28. "Nuggets Sign Four Players to Contracts". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. September 15, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  29. "Nuggets waive Nate Wolters and Robbie Hummel". InsideHoops.com. October 22, 2016. Archived from the original on October 23, 2016. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  30. "KK Crvena Zvezda inks Nate Wolters". Sportando.com. October 24, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  31. "Jazz Sign Nate Wolters to a Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. September 13, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  32. Bolerjack, Nick (December 22, 2017). "Jazz Waive Nate Wolters". NBA.com. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
  33. "Nate Wolters À L'Elan Chalon". elanchalon.com (in French). January 17, 2018. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  34. "Zalgiris inks point guard Wolters". EuroLeague.net. July 8, 2018. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
  35. "Maccabi signs Wolters to two-year deal". EuroLeague.net. June 23, 2019. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  36. Skerletic, Dario (July 25, 2020). "Nate Wolters joins Unics Kazan". Sportando. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  37. "Nate Wolters signs a one-year deal with UNICS". Eurohoops. July 25, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  38. Borghesan, Ennio Terrasi (August 10, 2021). "Crvena Zvezda welcomes back Nate Wolters". Sportando. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  39. "VOLTERS JE NAJBOLJI: Plejmejker Crvene zvezde dobio MVP priznanje". novosti.rs. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  40. "Crvena zvezda bez Nejta Voltersa u napad na triplu krunu". mozzartsport.com. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  41. Panathinaikos officially adds Nate Wolters
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