David Wesley
From Hoopedia
David Barakau Wesley (born November 14, 1970, in San Antonio, Texas) is an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association. He is expected to retire.
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Career
When Wesley left Baylor University in 1993, many player scouts considered him too small (at 6'1") to play as a shooting guard in the NBA, and doubted his ability to make the transition to point guard. He initially signed with the New Jersey Nets as an undrafted free agent, and has since played for the Boston Celtics, the Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets the the Houston Rockets and more recently, the Cleveland Cavaliers. Wesley long ago dispelled the initial doubts about his ability to succeed in the NBA: he has averaged almost 13 points and 4.6 assists per game over a 13-year career (through the 2005-06 season), including ten straight seasons with double-digit scoring averages (1995-96 through 2004-05). He has received praise as a tenacious man-to-man defender, and a reliable outside shooter.
Career Downward Slope
After going for a layup and hitting the bottom of the backboard in the 2006-07 season, he only played for 35 games and averaged career-lows of 2.1 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists. He also did not play any minutes during the playoffs. Wesley has stated after sitting on the bench that he may retire despite having a year (only partially guaranteed) left on his contract. On September 29, 2007, he was traded to the Hornets for Cedric Simmons. On October 29, 2007, the New Jersey Nets reacquired guard David Wesley from the New Orleans Hornets for swingman Bernard Robinson, center Mile Ilić and cash considerations. On November 1, 2007, not even a week after the Nets signed him, the New Jersey Nets waived him. A few days later, Wesley stated he didn't plan to play in the NBA anymore.
Personal
David Wesley was charged in 2000 with misdemeanor racing and reckless driving in the crash that killed his friend and teammate Bobby Phills. A Mecklenburg County Police report said Phills and Wesley were racing at more than 100 mph when Phills lost control and crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a car. The report said both Phills and Wesley were driving "in an erratic, reckless, careless, negligent and/or aggressive manner", and the men were "involved in a speed competition". Wesley was also driving with a suspended license at the time.
Trivia
- Wesley's cousin, retired NBA shooting guard Michael Dickerson, also played for the Rockets.
- Wesley is currently 26th in the league for all-time three-point shots made.
- With 11,769 career points, Wesley is the NBA's second-leading all-time scorer among undrafted players, trailing only Moses Malone.
