Courtney Lee
Encyclopedia
Courtney Lee is an American
basketball
player for the Houston Rockets
of the NBA
. He was drafted by the Orlando Magic
with the 22nd pick overall in the 2008 NBA Draft
. He played college basketball
at Western Kentucky University
.
Lee attended Pike High School
in Indianapolis and played on their Indiana 4A state
championship winning team in 2003. He starred for the Indy Hornet's AAU team, winning several state championships and annually placing high at the AAU nationals.
to play for the Hilltoppers. In his first season, Lee set a WKU
record for freshman scoring with 461 points in 31 games. Lee was named First Team All-Sun Belt Conference for three consecutive seasons (2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08). As a senior at WKU, Lee was named Sun Belt Player of the Year
. He also helped lead the Hilltoppers to a Sweet 16 appearance in the 2008 NCAA Tournament while being ranked 28th nationally in scoring with 20.4 points per game. On January 27, 2008, Lee recorded a career high 33 points in a 77–68 win over Arkansas State.
Lee finished his collegiate career tied with Jim McDaniels
for all-time leading scorer of Western Kentucky University, with 2,238 points. In his four year career at WKU, he started 128 games, played an overall 3,957 minutes, made 82% of free throws, made 245 three point shots, had 242 steals, 281 assists and 78 blocked shots.
Lee's tattoo reading "R.I.P. Danny Rumph" is dedicated to his Western Kentucky teammate who died in May 2005 from an enlarged heart after hitting a game winning shot in a pick-up game in his hometown of Philadelphia.
in the 2008 NBA Draft
.
On February 14, 2009 Lee posted season-high numbers against the Los Angeles Clippers
. He finished the night with 21 points, including 9-of-10 field goals while making three 3-pointers.
Then on March 23, 2009 in a game against the New York Knicks
at Madison Square Garden
, Lee set a then-career high with 22 points. He made two critical free throws late in the fourth quarter to secure a comeback win for the Magic. Lee finished 6–8 from the field, 2–3 from behind the three point line, and 8–8 from the free throw line.
During the Magic's first round NBA playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers
, Lee scored 18 points in game 1 and a team-high 24 points in game 2, helping the team tie the series at 1–1.
On April 28, 2009 Lee was hit in the face by Dwight Howard
during Game 5 of the Magic's first round playoff series, suffering a fractured sinus. The following day it was announced that he would miss Game 6 of the series due to the injury. He then returned for the second round matchup against the Boston Celtics
but he was forced to wear a protective mask over his face for the remainder of the postseason.
In game 2 of the 2009 NBA Finals
, Lee missed a potential game-winning layup at the end of regulation that would have evened the series at 1.
, Lee was traded on June 25, 2009, along with Rafer Alston
and Tony Battie
, to the New Jersey Nets
for Vince Carter
and Ryan Anderson
.
During the 2009–10 season, Lee led the Nets
in steals (93), three point shots made (76), and free throw percentage (86.9%). On March 8, 2010, he recorded a career high 30 points in a 107–101 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies
.
in a four-team, five-player trade in which the Rockets sent Trevor Ariza
to the New Orleans Hornets. He was officially introduced by the Rockets on August 18, 2010.
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Orlando
| 77 || 42 || 25.2 || .450 || .404 || .830 || 2.3 || 1.2 || 1.0 || .2 || 8.4
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
| align="left" | New Jersey
| 71 || 66 || 33.5 || .436 || .338 || .869 || 3.5 || 1.7 || 1.3 || .3 || 12.5
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left" | Houston
| 81 || 1 || 21.3 || .439 || .408 || .792 || 2.6 || 1.2 || .7 || .2 || 8.3
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 229 || 109 || 26.4 || .441 || .380 || .834 || 2.8 || 1.4 || 1.0 || .2 || 9.6
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Orlando
| 21 || 16 || 26.2 || .435 || .273 || .885 || 1.9 || 1.3 || .9 || .1 || 8.0
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 21 || 16 || 26.2 || .435 || .273 || .885 || 1.9 || 1.3 || .9 || .1 || 8.0
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player for the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
of the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
. He was drafted by the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
with the 22nd pick overall in the 2008 NBA Draft
2008 NBA Draft
The 2008 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2008 at the Washington Mutual Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, including...
. He played college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
at Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA. It was formally founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a quarter-century earlier....
.
High school and college career
Pike High School
Pike High School is a public high school on the northwest side of Indianapolis, Indiana.-Academics:Pike High School serves students in grades 9–12 in the Metropolitan School District of Pike Township....
in Indianapolis and played on their Indiana 4A state
championship winning team in 2003. He starred for the Indy Hornet's AAU team, winning several state championships and annually placing high at the AAU nationals.
Western Kentucky University
In 2004, Lee was recruited by former Western Kentucky head coach Darrin HornDarrin Horn
-External links:*...
to play for the Hilltoppers. In his first season, Lee set a WKU
Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA. It was formally founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a quarter-century earlier....
record for freshman scoring with 461 points in 31 games. Lee was named First Team All-Sun Belt Conference for three consecutive seasons (2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08). As a senior at WKU, Lee was named Sun Belt Player of the Year
Sun Belt Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year
The Sun Belt Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year is a basketball award given to the most outstanding men's basketball player in the Sun Belt Conference. The award was first given following the 1976–77 season...
. He also helped lead the Hilltoppers to a Sweet 16 appearance in the 2008 NCAA Tournament while being ranked 28th nationally in scoring with 20.4 points per game. On January 27, 2008, Lee recorded a career high 33 points in a 77–68 win over Arkansas State.
Lee finished his collegiate career tied with Jim McDaniels
Jim McDaniels
James Ronald McDaniels is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'11" power forward/center, McDaniels averaged nearly 40 points per game as a senior at Allen County High School in Kentucky. From 1968 to 1971, he played at Western Kentucky University, leading his team to a third place...
for all-time leading scorer of Western Kentucky University, with 2,238 points. In his four year career at WKU, he started 128 games, played an overall 3,957 minutes, made 82% of free throws, made 245 three point shots, had 242 steals, 281 assists and 78 blocked shots.
Lee's tattoo reading "R.I.P. Danny Rumph" is dedicated to his Western Kentucky teammate who died in May 2005 from an enlarged heart after hitting a game winning shot in a pick-up game in his hometown of Philadelphia.
Orlando Magic
Lee was drafted 22nd overall by the Orlando MagicOrlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
in the 2008 NBA Draft
2008 NBA Draft
The 2008 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2008 at the Washington Mutual Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, including...
.
On February 14, 2009 Lee posted season-high numbers against the Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
. He finished the night with 21 points, including 9-of-10 field goals while making three 3-pointers.
Then on March 23, 2009 in a game against the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
, Lee set a then-career high with 22 points. He made two critical free throws late in the fourth quarter to secure a comeback win for the Magic. Lee finished 6–8 from the field, 2–3 from behind the three point line, and 8–8 from the free throw line.
During the Magic's first round NBA playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
, Lee scored 18 points in game 1 and a team-high 24 points in game 2, helping the team tie the series at 1–1.
On April 28, 2009 Lee was hit in the face by Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard
Dwight David Howard is an American basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association . Howard, who usually plays center but can also play power forward, had an outstanding high school career at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy...
during Game 5 of the Magic's first round playoff series, suffering a fractured sinus. The following day it was announced that he would miss Game 6 of the series due to the injury. He then returned for the second round matchup against the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
but he was forced to wear a protective mask over his face for the remainder of the postseason.
In game 2 of the 2009 NBA Finals
2009 NBA Finals
The 2009 NBA Finals was the National Basketball Association championship series for the 2008-09 season. The best-of-seven playoff was contested between the Los Angeles Lakers, champions of the Western Conference and defending Western Conference champions, and the Orlando Magic, champions of the...
, Lee missed a potential game-winning layup at the end of regulation that would have evened the series at 1.
New Jersey Nets
After spending his rookie year with the Orlando MagicOrlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
, Lee was traded on June 25, 2009, along with Rafer Alston
Rafer Alston
Rafer Jamel Alston is an American former professional basketball player who last played with Zhejiang Guangsha of the Chinese Basketball Association. He previously played for six NBA teams...
and Tony Battie
Tony Battie
Demetrius Antonio Battie is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Philadelphia 76ers.-High school and college career:...
, to the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
for Vince Carter
Vince Carter
Vincent Lamar "Vince" Carter is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns. He is a shooting guard who can also play small forward....
and Ryan Anderson
Ryan Anderson (basketball)
Ryan James Anderson is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic. Anderson previously played the power forward position at California....
.
During the 2009–10 season, Lee led the Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in steals (93), three point shots made (76), and free throw percentage (86.9%). On March 8, 2010, he recorded a career high 30 points in a 107–101 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
.
Houston Rockets
On August 11, 2010, Lee was traded to the Houston RocketsHouston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
in a four-team, five-player trade in which the Rockets sent Trevor Ariza
Trevor Ariza
Trevor Anthony Ariza is an American basketball player in the National Basketball Association who plays for the New Orleans Hornets. Primarily a small forward, he is listed at tall and 210 pounds.-Biography:...
to the New Orleans Hornets. He was officially introduced by the Rockets on August 18, 2010.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left" | Orlando
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
| 77 || 42 || 25.2 || .450 || .404 || .830 || 2.3 || 1.2 || 1.0 || .2 || 8.4
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
2009–10 NBA season
The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010....
| align="left" | New Jersey
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
| 71 || 66 || 33.5 || .436 || .338 || .869 || 3.5 || 1.7 || 1.3 || .3 || 12.5
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
2010–11 NBA season
The 2010–11 NBA season was the 65th season of the National Basketball Association . The 2011 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in six games, 4 games to 2, to win their first NBA title, and...
| align="left" | Houston
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
| 81 || 1 || 21.3 || .439 || .408 || .792 || 2.6 || 1.2 || .7 || .2 || 8.3
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 229 || 109 || 26.4 || .441 || .380 || .834 || 2.8 || 1.4 || 1.0 || .2 || 9.6
Playoffs
|-| align="left" | 2008–09
2009 NBA Playoffs
The 2009 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2008–09 season. The playoffs started on April 18, 2009 with ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
| align="left" | Orlando
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
| 21 || 16 || 26.2 || .435 || .273 || .885 || 1.9 || 1.3 || .9 || .1 || 8.0
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 21 || 16 || 26.2 || .435 || .273 || .885 || 1.9 || 1.3 || .9 || .1 || 8.0