Not all NBA players get drafted right out of high school or college. Some have to work their way through the developmental leagues until they get noticed by a team that decides to take a chance on them. Such is the case with Raja Bell, who played 52 games in the NBA's developmental league before being signed to a professional contract in 2001.
College Career
Bell became an all-conference basketball player for Florida International University, but not before a few bumps in the road. Bell spent two years at Boston University, but decided to transfer after his sophomore year. After sitting out a year due to NCAA transfer requirements, Bell became the leading scorer for FIU out of the gate. In his senior season, he averaged 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists to earn First Team All Sun Belt Conference honors in 1999.
Path to the NBA
Bell was not selected in the NBA draft, but was selected twenty-ninth overall in the Continental Basketball Association draft in 1999. He played in a total of 52 games for the Yakima Sun Kings, helping lead them to the CBA championship while averaging 18.7 points and 6 rebounds in the playoffs. Bell's play earned the attention of the Philadelphia 76ers, who signed him in April of 2001. Bell saw little playing time in the team's final five regular season games, but appeared in 15 playoff games, averaging 2.3 points and 8.3 minutes per game.
NBA Career
The following season, Bell cracked the starting lineup 12 times over the course of 74 games. The next season, as a free agent, Bell signed with the Dallas Mavericks, spending one season there while averaging just over 3 points per game. After being released by Dallas, Bell enjoyed his most successful season to that point after signing with the Utah Jazz. Bell appeared in 145 games for Utah over the next two seasons, averaging over 11 points per game. Phoenix would be Bell's next -- and most successful -- stop in the NBA, where he became a regular starter next to All-Star point guard Steve Nash. In Phoenix, Bell would reach career high averages of 14.7 points and 2.6 assists per game. Bell spent four full seasons in Phoenix before being traded to the Charlotte Bobcats, then to the Golden State Warriors. After only one game for the Warriors, he was released and returned to the Utah Jazz, signing a 3-year contract worth about $3 million per year.
Personal Life
Bell married long-time girlfriend Cindy Green in 2004 while a member of the Utah Jazz. Bell was born in St. Croix, Virgin Islands, but in the eighth grade moved to Miami, home of FIU and where Bell now lives during the off-season. Bell's sister, Tombi, played and coached college basketball at the University of Florida.
Member Comments