Axel Hervelle
Encyclopedia
Axel Hervelle is a Belgian
professional basketball player. Hervelle was drafted by the NBA club the Denver Nuggets
in the second round (52nd pick) of the 2005 NBA Draft
, becoming the first Belgian player ever to be drafted by an NBA team. He is a 2.05 m (6.7 ft) and 110 kg (242.5 lb) small forward
-power forward
.
. He first played with Verviers-Pepinster
in the Belgian League
for four years, averaging 11.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per game in 16 games during the 2003-04 season and becoming the team captain
at only 20 years old. Then he signed with the Spanish ACB League club Real Madrid
. In the 2005-06 season, he averaged 24 minutes, 8.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game over 32 games.
In 2009, his NBA Draft rights were traded to the Houston Rockets
in exchange for James White
.
.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
professional basketball player. Hervelle was drafted by the NBA club the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
in the second round (52nd pick) 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...
, becoming the first Belgian player ever to be drafted by an NBA team. He is a 2.05 m (6.7 ft) and 110 kg (242.5 lb) 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...
-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...
.
Pro career
Hervelle spent the early part of his career in BelgiumBelgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. He first played with Verviers-Pepinster
RBC Verviers-Pepinster
Royal Basket Club Verviers-Pepinster is a Belgian professional basketball club that is located in the Verviers-Pepinster area of the Province of Liege, Belgium. The club competes in the Basketball League Belgium. The team was founded in the year 1938. The team plays home games at the 4,000 seat...
in the Belgian League
Basketball League Belgium
The Basketball League Belgium , also known as the Ligue Ethias or Ethias League, is the highest professional basketball league in Belgium.-Teams:* Antwerp Giants* Belgacom Liège Basket* Dexia Mons-Hainaut* Generali Okapi Aalstar...
for four years, averaging 11.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per game in 16 games during the 2003-04 season and becoming the team captain
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
at only 20 years old. Then he signed with the Spanish ACB League club Real Madrid
Real Madrid Baloncesto
Real Madrid Baloncesto is a Spanish professional basketball team founded in 1932 as a division of the Real Madrid club. They play in the Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto ....
. In the 2005-06 season, he averaged 24 minutes, 8.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game over 32 games.
In 2009, his NBA Draft rights were traded to the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
in exchange for James White
James White (basketball)
James William White IV is an American professional basketball player. He is a 6'7", 200 lb. guard/forward. He earned the nickname 'Flight 75' due to his leaping ability....
.
Belgian national team
Hervelle has been a member of the senior Belgian national basketball teamBelgium national basketball team
The Belgian national basketball team is the basketball side that represents Belgium in international competitions. The country side has qualified 13 times for EuroBasket, having their best result as the 4th place in EuroBasket 1947, but haven't qualified since 1993 to the major European...
.