Taquan Dean
Encyclopedia
Taquan Dean is an American
professional basketball player.
and attended Neptune High School
in Neptune Township, New Jersey
.
Dean was a star college basketball
player for the University of Louisville
through 2006, where he majored in justice administration. Throughout his four year college career, he scored 1,657 career points, and made 361 three-point field goal
s. Considered a lock to be drafted in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft
after Louisville's great season and subsequent run through the NCAA Tournament, he decided to stay at Louisville for his senior season. This proved to be a mistake, draft stock wise, as Dean spent much of his senior season on the bench with an ankle injury.
in the 2006 NBA Draft
, and he signed with Angelico Biella of the Italian League
. After half of the season, he transferred again, this time to the Russian Super League
club Dynamo Moscow
. In 2007, he signed with the Italian 2nd Division
team Casale Monferrato
.
In July 2008, Dean played for the Phoenix Suns
in the Las Vegas NBA Summer League
. In 2008, he signed with the Spanish ACB club Murcia
. In 2009, he joined the Euroleague
club Unicaja Málaga by signing a one year contract. He moved for a short time to Saski Baskonia
before finishing the 2009/2010 season with Kavala BC. He has signed with Air Avellino for the 2010/2011 season.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball player.
Amateur career
He was born in Red Bank, New JerseyRed Bank, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 11,844 people, 5,201 households, and 2,501 families residing in the borough. The population density was 6,639.1 people per square mile . There were 5,450 housing units at an average density of 3,055.0 per square mile...
and attended Neptune High School
Neptune High School
Neptune High School is a comprehensive, four-year community public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grade from Neptune Township, in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Neptune Township Schools. Neptune Township Schools is one of New Jersey's...
in Neptune Township, New Jersey
Neptune Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 27,690 people, 10,907 households, and 6,805 families residing in the township. The population density was 3,366.8 people per square mile . There were 12,217 housing units at an average density of 1,485.4 per square mile...
.
Dean was a star 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....
player for the University of Louisville
Louisville Cardinals men's basketball
The Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team is the 18th winningest college basketball team in NCAA Division I history and has the 10th best winning percentage in college basketball history. Currently coached by Rick Pitino, the Cardinals of the University of Louisville have been to 37 NCAA...
through 2006, where he majored in justice administration. Throughout his four year college career, he scored 1,657 career points, and made 361 three-point field goal
Three-point field goal
A three-point field goal is a field goal in a basketball game, made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc radiating from the basket...
s. Considered a lock to be drafted in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft
2005 NBA Draft
The 2005 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 2005 in the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and non-North American leagues...
after Louisville's great season and subsequent run through the NCAA Tournament, he decided to stay at Louisville for his senior season. This proved to be a mistake, draft stock wise, as Dean spent much of his senior season on the bench with an ankle injury.
Pro career
He went undraftedUndrafted
An undrafted sportsperson or undrafted free agent is specific type of sportsperson who plays, or attempts to play, in a professional sports league without first being selected in a draft....
in the 2006 NBA Draft
2006 NBA Draft
The 2006 NBA Draft was held on June 28, 2006 at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City and was broadcast in the United States on ESPN. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players,...
, and he signed with Angelico Biella of the Italian League
Serie A (basketball)
Lega Basket Serie A is the highest level club competition in Italian professional basketball where play determines the national champion. The season consists of a home-and-away schedule of 30 games, followed by an eight-team playoff round. Quarterfinals and semifinals series are best-of-five, and...
. After half of the season, he transferred again, this time to the Russian Super League
Russian Basketball Super League
The Russian Basketball SuperLeague is a men's professional basketball league that was the pre-eminent league of Russian professional basketball until 2010...
club Dynamo Moscow
MBC Dynamo Moscow
MBC Dynamo Moscow is a Russian professional basketball team from Moscow, Russia.-Early Years:Created in 1923 when Russia was part of the Soviet Union, Dynamo is among the oldest sports clubs in the country. Its name was chosen because Dynamo means 'power in motion'. The club was backed by the...
. In 2007, he signed with the Italian 2nd Division
LegADue
Legadue or Lega2 is the second-highest division of professional club basketball in Italy since 2001-2002 season...
team Casale Monferrato
A.S. Junior Pallacanestro Casale
Associazione Sportiva Junior Pallacanestro Casale Monferrato, also known for sponsorship reasons as Fastweb Casale Monferrato is an Italian professional basketball team from the town of Casale Monferrato....
.
In July 2008, Dean 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 Las Vegas 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 2008, he signed with the Spanish ACB club Murcia
CB Murcia
Club Baloncesto Murcia, S.A.D., also known as UCAM Murcia by sponsorship reasons, is a professional basketball team based in Murcia, Region of Murcia, Spain. The team plays in ACB...
. In 2009, he joined 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...
club Unicaja Málaga by signing a one year contract. He moved for a short time to Saski Baskonia
Saski Baskonia
Saski Baskonia, S.A.D., known as Caja Laboral for sponsorship reasons, is a Spanish professional basketball club from the Basque city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain...
before finishing the 2009/2010 season with Kavala BC. He has signed with Air Avellino for the 2010/2011 season.