Shaun Pruitt
Encyclopedia
Shaun Pruitt is an American
professional basketball player. Nickname is S-Dot. He recently played college basketball
at the University of Illinois
, and wore number 55. Pruitt graduated from West Aurora High School
in 2004 and was the first recruit to sign with new Illini coach Bruce Weber.
in Aurora, Illinois
his sophomore year. As a sophomore he missed much of the season with a broken right foot. As a junior Pruitt again missed time, but this time with a broken left leg for Illnios preseason #1 ranked team and nationally top 20 ranked team. He help lead West in a big win over Proviso East High School
and future NBA point guard Shannon Brown
at Northwestern University
. As a senior Pruitt was Illinois' Mr. Basketball runner-up behind Shaun Livingston
, and helped lead West Aurora to a 3rd place finish along with fellow D-1 recruits Justin Cerasoli and Jaeh Thomas. While at West he also played with other D-1 recruits Dameon Mason and Michael Binns. He finished his career as West's 15th all-time leading scorer with 820 points in 52 games.
In the 2004-2005 season, Pruitt played in 21 games averaging 1.4 points per game and totaling 19 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block in helping the Illni go 37-2, and make it to the NCAA Men's Championship game against University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
where they lost. Pruitt played with several future NBA players during his freshman season like Deron Williams
, and Luther Head
who were 1st round draft picks.
Sophomore Year
In the 2005-2006 season Pruitt moved into the starting line-up and started 32 games averaging 6.2 points per game. He totaled 169 rebounds, 15 assists, 15 blocks, and 13 steals in helping the Illni go 26-7 as a sophomore. Again Pruitt was left by two Fighting Illni greats Dee Brown and James Augustine.
Junior Year
In the 2006-2007 season Pruitt started 35 games and averaged 11.4 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game. He totaled 261 rebounds, 16 blocks, 10 steals, and 7 assists in helping the Illni go 23-12 as a junior. He had a career game against Indiana University
with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Pruitt was selected to the All-Big Ten Third team.
Senior Year
In the 2007-2008 season Pruitt was slected to the preseason All-Big Ten team. He started 34 games averaging 12.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He totaled 248 rebounds, 27 assists, 20 blocks, and 16 steals. He also shot a career best 56% from the free-throw line while leading the Illni to a 16-19 finish his senior year. Pruitt was selected to the All-Big Ten Third team. Pruitt finished his Illni career with 1058 career points, 697 career rebounds, 52 career blocks, 49 career assists, and 40 career steals.
and the Chinese Basketball Association
during the 2008-09 season. Pruitt went to training camp with the Golden State Warriors
for the 2009-10 preseason. He appeared in 5 preseason games, averaging 1.2 points and 2.2 rebounds per game in 9.4 minutes per contest, but was released on Oct 21, 2009. Pruitt signed with Peristeri BC
, and began playing in the Greek League
. Pruitt later played for the Gallitos de Isabela in the Puerto Rico league and averaged 19 points and 15 rebounds per game and was the league leader in rebounds.
Pruitt has played for the Phoenix Suns
in the NBA Summer League in 2010.
In September 2010 he signed with KK Cedevita Zagreb in Croatia
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball player. Nickname is S-Dot. He recently 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 the University of Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
, and wore number 55. Pruitt graduated from West Aurora High School
West Aurora High School
West Aurora High School, or WAHS, is a public four-year high school located in Aurora, Illinois. It is part of West Aurora Public School District 129. The school is also referred to as "West," and "West High,".- History :...
in 2004 and was the first recruit to sign with new Illini coach Bruce Weber.
High school
Pruitt played his freshman year at Providence St. Mel in Chicago, Illinois. He transferred to West Aurora High SchoolWest Aurora High School
West Aurora High School, or WAHS, is a public four-year high school located in Aurora, Illinois. It is part of West Aurora Public School District 129. The school is also referred to as "West," and "West High,".- History :...
in Aurora, Illinois
Aurora, Illinois
Aurora is the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and the 112th largest city in the United States. A suburb of Chicago, located west of the Loop, its population in 2010 was 197,899. Originally founded within Kane County, Aurora's city limits have expanded greatly over the past...
his sophomore year. As a sophomore he missed much of the season with a broken right foot. As a junior Pruitt again missed time, but this time with a broken left leg for Illnios preseason #1 ranked team and nationally top 20 ranked team. He help lead West in a big win over Proviso East High School
Proviso East High School
Proviso East High School is a public secondary school in Maywood, Illinois which serves the educational needs of Maywood and three other villages within Proviso Township, Cook County, Illinois: Broadview, Forest Park and Melrose Park. It is the original campus of Proviso Township High Schools...
and future NBA point guard Shannon Brown
Shannon Brown
Shannon Brown is an American professional basketball player who plays at the shooting guard and point guard positions. He last played in the National Basketball Association for the Los Angeles Lakers. Brown attended Proviso East High School in Maywood, Illinois, was named Illinois Mr...
at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
. As a senior Pruitt was Illinois' Mr. Basketball runner-up behind Shaun Livingston
Shaun Livingston
Shaun Patrick Livingston is an American professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks.-Early years:Livingston was born in Peoria, Illinois. He led Concordia Lutheran Grade School, coached by Mr. Tom Ruppert, to LSA state titles in 1999 and 2000...
, and helped lead West Aurora to a 3rd place finish along with fellow D-1 recruits Justin Cerasoli and Jaeh Thomas. While at West he also played with other D-1 recruits Dameon Mason and Michael Binns. He finished his career as West's 15th all-time leading scorer with 820 points in 52 games.
College
Freshman YearIn the 2004-2005 season, Pruitt played in 21 games averaging 1.4 points per game and totaling 19 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block in helping the Illni go 37-2, and make it to the NCAA Men's Championship game against University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
where they lost. Pruitt played with several future NBA players during his freshman season like Deron Williams
Deron Williams
Deron Michael Williams , nicknamed D-Will, is an American basketball player currently with the New Jersey Nets of the National Basketball Association . Williams has also played for the Utah Jazz of the NBA and Beşiktaş of the Turkish Basketball League...
, and Luther Head
Luther Head
Luther Dale Head is an American professional basketball player. Standing 6'3" and weighing 185 lb , Head plays primarily shooting guard but played small forward as a college basketball star at the University of Illinois.-High school:Head attended Manley Academy in Chicago where he averaged over...
who were 1st round draft picks.
Sophomore Year
In the 2005-2006 season Pruitt moved into the starting line-up and started 32 games averaging 6.2 points per game. He totaled 169 rebounds, 15 assists, 15 blocks, and 13 steals in helping the Illni go 26-7 as a sophomore. Again Pruitt was left by two Fighting Illni greats Dee Brown and James Augustine.
Junior Year
In the 2006-2007 season Pruitt started 35 games and averaged 11.4 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game. He totaled 261 rebounds, 16 blocks, 10 steals, and 7 assists in helping the Illni go 23-12 as a junior. He had a career game against Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Pruitt was selected to the All-Big Ten Third team.
Senior Year
In the 2007-2008 season Pruitt was slected to the preseason All-Big Ten team. He started 34 games averaging 12.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He totaled 248 rebounds, 27 assists, 20 blocks, and 16 steals. He also shot a career best 56% from the free-throw line while leading the Illni to a 16-19 finish his senior year. Pruitt was selected to the All-Big Ten Third team. Pruitt finished his Illni career with 1058 career points, 697 career rebounds, 52 career blocks, 49 career assists, and 40 career steals.
Pro career
Pruitt played professionally overseas in the Czech Republic LeagueNational Basketball League (Czech Republic)
The Czech Republic National Basketball League , also called the Mattoni NBL for sponsorship reasons, is the top level professional basketball league in the Czech Republic. The league operates under a promotion and relegation system. The bottom two NBL teams from each season's standings are...
and the Chinese Basketball Association
Chinese Basketball Association
The Chinese Basketball Association , often abbreviated to the CBA, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in China.The league is commonly known as the CBA, and this acronym is often used even in Chinese...
during the 2008-09 season. Pruitt went to training camp with the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
for the 2009-10 preseason. He appeared in 5 preseason games, averaging 1.2 points and 2.2 rebounds per game in 9.4 minutes per contest, but was released on Oct 21, 2009. Pruitt signed with Peristeri BC
Peristeri BC
Peristeri B.C. , is a Greek professional basketball club that was founded on October 22, 1971. The club is located in Peristeri, Greece, which is a suburban municipality of the city of Athens...
, and began playing in the Greek League
A1 Ethniki
The Greek Basket League , commonly referred to as the Greek Basketball League or Greek Basketball Championship, is the highest professional basketball league in Greece. It is run by HEBA...
. Pruitt later played for the Gallitos de Isabela in the Puerto Rico league and averaged 19 points and 15 rebounds per game and was the league leader in rebounds.
Pruitt has played for the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
in the NBA Summer League in 2010.
In September 2010 he signed with KK Cedevita Zagreb in Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
.