Derrick Byars
Encyclopedia
Derrick JaVaughn Byars (born April 25, 1984 in Memphis, Tennessee
) is an American professional basketball player for the Pro A
team Cholet Basket
. Collegiality, he played for Virginia
, and later for Vanderbilt
. He was drafted 42nd overall in the 2007 NBA Draft
.
in Memphis, where he played for head coach Wesley Henning and won two Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association
(TSSAA) Class AA State Championships.
As a sophomore (1999–2000), Byars was an honorable-mention All-State selection and led the Roadrunners to the Class AA State Championship. He averaged 16.4 points
, 6.5 rebounds
and 5.4 assists
per game.
As a junior
, he again earned honorable mention All-State honors and was named Ridgeway's Most Valuable Player. He averaged 20.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5 assists.
As a senior
(2001–02), he averaged 23.2 points, 10 rebounds and 4.5 assists and led Ridgeway to its second TSSAA Class AA State Championship in three years. He was a fourth-team Parade All-America selection, the Gatorade Player of the Year in Tennessee, the TSSAA Class AA Tournament Most Valuable Player and first-team All-State.
As impressive as he was on the court, Byars also excelled in the classroom, finishing high school
with a 3.9 GPA
.
at Virginia
. He started 16 of Virginia's 31 games his freshman season (2002–03) and averaged 6.5 points per game. In his sophomore season (2003–04), he started 18 of Virginia's 31 games and averaged 7.5 points per game.
After falling out with Gillen, Byars decided to transfer from Virginia. Vanderbilt, fresh off a run to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament
, was his first choice, but the Commodores had no scholarship positions available. Days before Byars was due to announce his transfer to Mississippi
, Vanderbilt reserve guard Adam Payton decided to transfer
to William & Mary, freeing up a scholarship for Byars.
He sat out the 2004–05 season as mandated by NCAA rules.
on November 30, 2005. A week later, he scored a season-high 25 points (including five 3-pointers) against Cincinnati
on December 10, 2005.
In his senior season (2006–07), Byars was named Southeastern Conference
Player of the Year by the league's coaches, who also unanimously selected him to their All-SEC first team. He led Vanderbilt to a 22–12 record (SEC East
: 10–6, 2nd) and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament
. He led the Commodores in scoring with 17.0 points per game and was ranked among the SEC's top 10 in four other statistical categories. During SEC play, Byars averaged 19.1 points per game, second-best in the SEC. He scored 20 points or more eight different times, including a career-high 32 points against South Carolina
on February 14, 2007. He followed that performance with 24 points in Vanderbilt's 83–70 victory over then-No. 1 Florida
, which earned him SEC player of the week honors for the second time that season.
Byars graduated from Vanderbilt on May 11, 2007 with a degree in sociology.
in the second round by the Portland Trail Blazers
. His rights were then traded to the Philadelphia 76ers
. He was waived by the 76ers on October 22, 2007. He was on the New Orleans Hornets and Orlando Magic
rosters for the 2008 Summer League. Byars return to the NBA Summer League was successful, as he led the Magic in scoring in their first game against the New Jersey Nets with 15 points on 6 of 13 shooting http://www.nba.com/media/magic/Game_3_Box_Score.pdf.
In late September, Byars was signed by the Oklahoma City Thunder
where he averaged 4.1 points and 14.8 minutes per game in the preseason.
Byars was invited to the Chicago Bulls
training camp in 2009 but was waived on the opening day of the season, October 28, 2009.
He will play for the Chicago Bulls
in the NBA Summer League
in 2010
.
team based in Cologne
, Germany
, having arrived at the end of October with a foot injury that had to be cured first. He averaged 6.3 points and 18 minutes per game in four games in the ULEB Cup
and 3.5 points in another 4 games in the Bundesliga. He was cut from the team again on December 21, 2007.
On November 2, 2009, Byars was introduced as the new small forward for ALBA Berlin
.
, a team that plays in the Ligue Nationale de Basketball
(LNB) in France
and is the defending 2007 national champion.
His club finished fourth in the 2007/08 regular season, and lost in the 2008 LNB final against Nancy
after beating regular season winner Le Mans in the semi-final.
Byars averaged 8 points and 3 rebounds in 24 minutes of playing time.
in France
.. However, he leaves the club in November, having played only two games, one in Pro A and one in Euroleague qualifying round
.
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
) is an American professional basketball player for the Pro A
Ligue Nationale de Basketball
The Ligue National de Basket is the top men's French professional basketball league. There are two divisions: French Pro A League and French Pro B League .-Pro A:...
team Cholet Basket
Cholet Basket
Cholet Basket is a professional basketball club that is based in Cholet, France. The club plays in the French Pro A League. Their home arena is La Meilleraie.- Establishment :...
. Collegiality, he played for Virginia
Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball program represents the University of Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference in the NCAA's Division I. The team is coached by Tony Bennett.-Statistics:-Retired numbers:-Retired jerseys:...
, and later for Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt Commodores men's basketball
The Vanderbilt Commodores men's basketball team represents Vanderbilt University in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference . The Commodores have won three SEC regular season titles . They have competed in ten NCAA Tournaments, making it to the Elite Eight once and the Sweet 16 six times...
. He was drafted 42nd overall in the 2007 NBA Draft
2007 NBA Draft
The 2007 NBA Draft was held on June 28, 2007 at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. It was broadcast on television in 115 countries. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...
.
High school career
Byars attended Ridgeway High SchoolRidgeway High School (Memphis, Tennessee)
Ridgeway High School is a Lame high school in Memphis, Tennessee and is part of the Memphis City Schools. Ridgeway High School first opened in 1971, hosting students from grades 7-12. The first class of graduates was in 1973 with approximately 175 students. Ridgeway High School now only houses...
in Memphis, where he played for head coach Wesley Henning and won two Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association
Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association
The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association is an organization which administers junior and senior high school sporting events in Tennessee.-Description:...
(TSSAA) Class AA State Championships.
As a sophomore (1999–2000), Byars was an honorable-mention All-State selection and led the Roadrunners to the Class AA State Championship. He averaged 16.4 points
Point (basketball)
Points in basketball are used to keep track of the score in a game. Points can be accumulated by making field goals or free throws ....
, 6.5 rebounds
Rebound (basketball)
A rebound in basketball is the act of successfully gaining possession of the basketball after a missed field goal or free throw. Rebounds in basketball are a routine part in the game, as all possessions change after a shot is successfully made...
and 5.4 assists
Assist (basketball)
In basketball, an assist is attributed to a player who passes the ball to a teammate in a way that leads to a score by field goal, meaning that he or she was "assisting" in the basket. There is some judgment involved in deciding whether a passer should be credited with an assist...
per game.
As a junior
Eleventh grade
Eleventh Grade is the eleventh, and for some countries final, grade of secondary schools. Students are typically 16 or 17 years of age, depending on the country and the students' birthdays.-Brazil:...
, he again earned honorable mention All-State honors and was named Ridgeway's Most Valuable Player. He averaged 20.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5 assists.
As a senior
Twelfth grade
Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all...
(2001–02), he averaged 23.2 points, 10 rebounds and 4.5 assists and led Ridgeway to its second TSSAA Class AA State Championship in three years. He was a fourth-team Parade All-America selection, the Gatorade Player of the Year in Tennessee, the TSSAA Class AA Tournament Most Valuable Player and first-team All-State.
As impressive as he was on the court, Byars also excelled in the classroom, finishing high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
with a 3.9 GPA
Grade (education)
Grades are standardized measurements of varying levels of comprehension within a subject area. Grades can be assigned in letters , as a range , as a number out of a possible total , as descriptors , in percentages, or, as is common in some post-secondary...
.
Virginia
Byars played for two seasons under then-Head Coach Pete GillenPete Gillen
Pete Gillen is an American former college basketball head coach of the Division I Xavier Musketeers, Providence Friars and Virginia Cavaliers and is a member of the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame...
at Virginia
Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball program represents the University of Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference in the NCAA's Division I. The team is coached by Tony Bennett.-Statistics:-Retired numbers:-Retired jerseys:...
. He started 16 of Virginia's 31 games his freshman season (2002–03) and averaged 6.5 points per game. In his sophomore season (2003–04), he started 18 of Virginia's 31 games and averaged 7.5 points per game.
After falling out with Gillen, Byars decided to transfer from Virginia. Vanderbilt, fresh off a run to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament
2004 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2004 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 16, 2004, and ended with the championship game on April 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio,...
, was his first choice, but the Commodores had no scholarship positions available. Days before Byars was due to announce his transfer to Mississippi
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
, Vanderbilt reserve guard Adam Payton decided to transfer
Transfer
Transfer may refer to:* Transfer * Transfer * Transfer DNA, the transferred DNA of the tumor-inducing plasmid of some species of bacteria such as Agrobacterium tumefaciens* Transfer...
to William & Mary, freeing up a scholarship for Byars.
He sat out the 2004–05 season as mandated by NCAA rules.
Vanderbilt
In his junior season (2005–06), Byars started all 30 games and finished second on the team in scoring at 12.4 points per game. He led the team with 3.2 assists per game. He was named SEC Player of the Week (28 November-4 December) after scoring 20 points on 7-of-8 shooting against OregonOregon Ducks
The Oregon Ducks refers to the sports teams of the University of Oregon, located in Eugene, Oregon. The Oregon Ducks are part of the Pacific-12 Conference in the Division 1 of the NCAA. With seventeen varsity teams, the Oregon Ducks are best known for their football team and Track and Field...
on November 30, 2005. A week later, he scored a season-high 25 points (including five 3-pointers) against Cincinnati
Cincinnati Bearcats
The Cincinnati Bearcats are the NCAA athletic teams representing the University of Cincinnati. Since July 1, 2005, the school's athletic teams have been members of the Big East Conference....
on December 10, 2005.
In his senior season (2006–07), Byars was named Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
Player of the Year by the league's coaches, who also unanimously selected him to their All-SEC first team. He led Vanderbilt to a 22–12 record (SEC East
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
: 10–6, 2nd) and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament
2007 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2007 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 NCAA schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball as a culmination of the 2006–07 basketball season...
. He led the Commodores in scoring with 17.0 points per game and was ranked among the SEC's top 10 in four other statistical categories. During SEC play, Byars averaged 19.1 points per game, second-best in the SEC. He scored 20 points or more eight different times, including a career-high 32 points against South Carolina
South Carolina Gamecocks
The University of South Carolina's 19 varsity sports teams are known as the "Gamecocks". The unique moniker is held in honor of Thomas Sumter, a South Carolina war hero who was given the name "The Carolina Gamecock" during the American Revolution for his fierce fighting tactics, regardless of his...
on February 14, 2007. He followed that performance with 24 points in Vanderbilt's 83–70 victory over then-No. 1 Florida
Florida Gators
The Florida Gators are the intercollegiate sports teams that represent the University of Florida located in Gainesville, Florida. The "Lady Gators" is an alternative nickname sometimes used by the Gators women's teams...
, which earned him SEC player of the week honors for the second time that season.
Byars graduated from Vanderbilt on May 11, 2007 with a degree in sociology.
NBA
Byars was chosen 42nd overall in the 2007 NBA Draft2007 NBA Draft
The 2007 NBA Draft was held on June 28, 2007 at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. It was broadcast on television in 115 countries. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...
in the second round by the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
. His rights were then traded to 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...
. He was waived by the 76ers on October 22, 2007. He was on the New Orleans Hornets and 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...
rosters for the 2008 Summer League. Byars return to the NBA Summer League was successful, as he led the Magic in scoring in their first game against the New Jersey Nets with 15 points on 6 of 13 shooting http://www.nba.com/media/magic/Game_3_Box_Score.pdf.
In late September, Byars was signed by the Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are a professional basketball franchise based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ; their home court is at Chesapeake Energy Arena....
where he averaged 4.1 points and 14.8 minutes per game in the preseason.
Byars was invited to the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
training camp in 2009 but was waived on the opening day of the season, October 28, 2009.
He will play for the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
in the NBA Summer League
NBA Summer League
The NBA Summer League is a period during which NBA teams come together to try out different summer rosters instead of their regular season line-ups. Typically, there is a mix of rookies and some of the younger bench players to see how well some players work with others...
in 2010
2010 in basketball
Tournaments include international , professional and amateur and collegiate levels.-Men's tournaments:* 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey** ** All-tournament team:*** Kevin Durant, *** Linas Kleiza,...
.
Germany
In December 2007, Byars played in eight games for the Köln 99ers, a Basketball BundesligaBasketball Bundesliga
The Basketball Bundesliga — commonly abbreviated BBL — is the highest level league of club basketball in Germany. The league comprises 18 teams. A BBL season is split into a league stage and a playoff stage...
team based in Cologne
Cologne
Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, having arrived at the end of October with a foot injury that had to be cured first. He averaged 6.3 points and 18 minutes per game in four games in the ULEB Cup
ULEB Cup
Eurocup Basketball is the second-tier level transnational professional basketball competition in Europe. The Eurocup is the level that is one tier below the Turkish Airlines Euroleague level...
and 3.5 points in another 4 games in the Bundesliga. He was cut from the team again on December 21, 2007.
On November 2, 2009, Byars was introduced as the new small forward for ALBA Berlin
ALBA Berlin
-Depth Chart:* Denotes injured player.-Championships:*German Championships: 8 *German Cups: 6 *Korać Cups: 1 -Notable players:- Season by season :-External links:...
.
France
On January 24, 2008, he was subsequently signed by Chorale Roanne BasketChorale Roanne Basket
Chorale Roanne Basket is a professional basketball club that is based in Roanne, France. The club plays in the Pro A. Their coach is Jean-Denys Choulet. Their home arena is Halle André Vacheresse...
, a team that plays in the Ligue Nationale de Basketball
Ligue Nationale de Basketball
The Ligue National de Basket is the top men's French professional basketball league. There are two divisions: French Pro A League and French Pro B League .-Pro A:...
(LNB) in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and is the defending 2007 national champion.
His club finished fourth in the 2007/08 regular season, and lost in the 2008 LNB final against Nancy
SLUC Nancy
The Stade Lorrain Université Club Nancy, usually abbreviated to SLUC Nancy, is a French professional basketball club. The club is based in the city of Nancy, in the region of Lorraine. The team plays in the French Pro A League....
after beating regular season winner Le Mans in the semi-final.
Byars averaged 8 points and 3 rebounds in 24 minutes of playing time.
NBDL
Derrick Byars later played in the NBA Developmental League for the Bakersfield Jam. He was named to the 2009 NBDL All-Star Game. He returned to the team briefly in 2011.Greece
In September 2010, he signed a one-year deal with the Greek club Panellinios Basket.Return to France
In August 2011 he signed a one-year contract with Cholet BasketCholet Basket
Cholet Basket is a professional basketball club that is based in Cholet, France. The club plays in the French Pro A League. Their home arena is La Meilleraie.- Establishment :...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.. However, he leaves the club in November, having played only two games, one in Pro A and one in Euroleague qualifying round
Euroleague 2011–12 qualifying rounds
This page describes the qualifying rounds for the Turkish Airlines Euroleague 2011–12.The Qualifying Rounds consisted of two Final-Eight tournaments, held in Vilnius and Charleroi. The two winning teams advanced to the Euroleague Regular Season-Teams:...
.
Awards and accomplishments
- All-SECSoutheastern ConferenceThe Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
First Team: (2007) - SECSoutheastern ConferenceThe Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
Co-Player of the Year: (2007)