Michael Wright (basketball)
Encyclopedia
Michael Wright is an American-Turkish
professional basketball
player, currently with Turkish
team Turk Telekom
. He has Turkish passport by the name Ali Karadeniz.
Wright played his high school basketball at Farragut Academy, where, as a freshman
, he was part of one of the best teams in the country, which boasted future professionals Willie Farley
and Ronnie Fields
, as well as Boston Celtics
superstar Kevin Garnett
. At 2.01 m (6 ft 7 ¼ in), Wright played center
after Garnett's departure, and moved to power forward
in college
.
At the University of Arizona
, Wright started for the Wildcats in the 2001 NCAA Division I
championship against the Duke Blue Devils
. However, undersized for that position at the pro level, and too slow to be a small forward
,he dropped to the second round of the 2001 NBA Draft
where he was drafted by the New York Knicks
.
After not joining the Knicks or any other NBA team post-draft, Wright moved overseas and switched teams almost every season. He started with Polish league champions Śląsk Wrocław, that also participated in the Euroleague
, moving to Spain
's CB Granada
the following year.
After the team was relegated to the LEB
(Spain's second division), Wright moved to Israel
and signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv
, and a year later with ALBA Berlin
.
In 2005, Wright moved to Turkey
's Beşiktaş
. He started the 2006-07 season in South Korea
with Jeonju KCC Egis
, in October
signed with French
and Euroleague's EB Pau Orthez.
In May 2007 he moved back to Turkey and signed for Türk Telekom B.K.
. In September 2009 he has signed a contract with Turów Zgorzelec
from Poland
for 2009-10 season.
In July 2011 he returned to Türk Telekom B.K.
for one season with an option for a second one.
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
professional 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, currently with Turkish
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
team Turk Telekom
Türk Telekom B.K.
Türk Telekom Basketbol Kulübü is a professional basketball club of based in Ankara, Turkey. It is branch of the Türk Telekom GSK. Their home arena is the Ankara Arena with a capacity of 10,400 seats which was opened in April 2010...
. He has Turkish passport by the name Ali Karadeniz.
Wright played his high school basketball at Farragut Academy, where, as a freshman
Freshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
, he was part of one of the best teams in the country, which boasted future professionals Willie Farley
Willie Farley
Willie Deshon Farley is an American professional basketball player best known for playing as a member of the Adelaide 36ers in the Australian NBL. A shooting guard, he is 6'4" tall and weighs 92 kg...
and Ronnie Fields
Ronnie Fields
Ronnie Fields is an American professional basketball player.-High school:Ronnie Fields played at Farragut Academy in Chicago from 1992–1996 and was a teammate of Kevin Garnett during the 1995 season. Fields had a 50-inch vertical leap...
, as well as 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...
superstar Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett
Kevin Maurice Garnett is an American professional basketball player who currently plays power forward for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association . After a high school basketball career at Farragut Career Academy which included winning a national player of the year award, he...
. At 2.01 m (6 ft 7 ¼ in), Wright played center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
after Garnett's departure, and moved to power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
in college
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 the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
, Wright started for the Wildcats in the 2001 NCAA Division I
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
championship against the Duke Blue Devils
Duke Blue Devils
Duke University's 26 varsity sports teams, known as the Blue Devils, compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The name comes from the French "les Diables Bleus" or "the Blue Devils," which was the nickname given during World War I to the Chasseurs Alpins, the French Alpine light infantry...
. However, undersized for that position at the pro level, and too slow to be a small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
,he dropped to the second round of the 2001 NBA Draft
2001 NBA Draft
The 2001 NBA Draft took place on June 27, 2001 in New York City, New York. Kwame Brown became the first high school player drafted with the first overall pick...
where he was drafted by 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...
.
After not joining the Knicks or any other NBA team post-draft, Wright moved overseas and switched teams almost every season. He started with Polish league champions Śląsk Wrocław, that also participated in the Euroleague
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
, moving to Spain
Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto
The Liga ACB, known as the Liga Endesa for sponsorship reasons, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in Spain. It was founded in 1956 with the name of Liga Nacional. The league changed its name to the current one in 1983. The league is rated as one of the three "A" level European...
's CB Granada
CB Granada
Club Baloncesto Granada, S.A.D. is a professional basketball team based in Granada, Andalusia. It plays in the LEB Oro. The team was founded in 1994 and has had notable players during its history, as Curtis Borchardt, Darvin Ham, Giorgos Sigalas, Scott Padgett, Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Richard...
the following year.
After the team was relegated to the LEB
Liga Española de Baloncesto
Liga Española de Baloncesto is the second league of the Spanish basketball league system behind the ACB. It is run by the FEB. The Liga Española de Baloncesto is divided into two categories and they are sponsored by Adecco. The names of the two leagues are Adecco Oro and Adecco Plata.The LEB league...
(Spain's second division), Wright moved to Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
and signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv
Hapoel Tel Aviv (basketball)
Hapoel Tel Aviv B.C. is an Israeli basketball club. The second most successful side in Israeli basketball, The club Owned by Hapoel Tel Aviv Supporters Trust and is currently in Liga Leumit, the Second tier.-History:...
, and a year later with 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:...
.
In 2005, Wright moved to Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
's Beşiktaş
Besiktas Cola Turka
Beşiktaş Milangaz is a professional basketball team of Beşiktaş J.K., which is a sports club from İstanbul, Turkey. Their home arena is the Sinan Erdem Dome with a capacity of 16,000 seats...
. He started the 2006-07 season in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
with Jeonju KCC Egis
Jeonju KCC Egis
The Jeonju KCC Egis is a professional basketball club in the Korean Basketball League.-Trophies:*Champions : 5** 1997/98, 1998/99, 2003/04, 2008/2009, 2010/2011*Regular season titles : 3** 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000...
, in October
October 2006
October 2006 was a month that began on a Sunday.The month was marked by a nuclear test by North Korea that prompted that passing of Resolution 1718 by the United Nations Security Council....
signed with French
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 Euroleague's EB Pau Orthez.
In May 2007 he moved back to Turkey and signed for Türk Telekom B.K.
Türk Telekom B.K.
Türk Telekom Basketbol Kulübü is a professional basketball club of based in Ankara, Turkey. It is branch of the Türk Telekom GSK. Their home arena is the Ankara Arena with a capacity of 10,400 seats which was opened in April 2010...
. In September 2009 he has signed a contract with Turów Zgorzelec
Turów Zgorzelec
PGE Turów Zgorzelec is a Polish professional basketball team that is based in Zgorzelec. The club plays in the Polska Liga Koszykówki and the Eurocup. The club's home court is Centrum Sportowe .- History :...
from Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
for 2009-10 season.
In July 2011 he returned to Türk Telekom B.K.
Türk Telekom B.K.
Türk Telekom Basketbol Kulübü is a professional basketball club of based in Ankara, Turkey. It is branch of the Türk Telekom GSK. Their home arena is the Ankara Arena with a capacity of 10,400 seats which was opened in April 2010...
for one season with an option for a second one.