Rick Rickert
Encyclopedia
Rick Rickert is an American-born basketball
player. He is a 2001 graduate of Duluth East High School
where he was a basketball star and highly recruited college prospect. He was named 2001 Minnesota Mr. Basketball
.
Rickert is currently playing for the German basketball team EnBW Ludwigsburg
.
, where after averaging 15 points and 5 rebounds per game in 2001-2002 he became the first Gopher player ever to win the Big Ten Freshmen of the Year award. After averaging 16 points and 6 rebounds his sophomore season Rickert declared for the 2003 NBA Draft
.
Despite his own beliefs that he would be taken in the first round, Rickert was not drafted until the 55th overall selection (26th in the second round) by the Minnesota Timberwolves
. Rickert failed to make the team and went to play in Slovenia. Since then, Rickert has played with: Krka Novo Mesto
(Adriatic League/Euroleague
), Timberwolves (NBA), Asheville Altitude (D-League), Panellinios B.C. Athens (Greece
), Lleida Bàsquet (Spain - 2nd Division
), Fayetteville Patriots
(D-League), Detroit Pistons
(NBA), Colorado 14ers
(D-League), the D-League All Star Team that traveled to China, representing the U.S. in the world tournament (D-League), and the New Zealand Breakers
(Australasian Basketball League).
Kevin Garnett punched Rickert during a 2004 pick-up game, leading to stitches and a chipped tooth.
In 2007, Rickert signed to play with the New Zealand Breakers
in the Australasian NBL
. In June 2008, he re-signed with the New Zealand Breakers. In the 2008-09 season, he averaged 13.6 points and 8.1 rebounds.
Rick played for the Harbour Heat
in the 2010 domestic NBL competition in New Zealand. The Heat made the Quarter finals where Rick scored 30 points.
Rick was signed to play with the Gold Coast Blaze
for the 2010-11 in the Australasian NBL, however, he did not receive clearance to play as a 'naturalized' player following Rick obtaining New Zealand citizenship (and the Blaze club did not sign him as one of only two import positions available) and he then moved away from Australia and moved to the German
basketball club EnBW Ludwigsburg
.
As of May 2011, Rickert played for the Bayamon Vaqueros in the Puerto Rico professional basketball league.
NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS, AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE: 2007-08
COLORADO 14ERS NBDL:2006-07
TEAM KRKA: SLOVENIA: 2003-04
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA: 2002-03
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA: 2001-02
HIGH SCHOOL: 2000-01
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. He is a 2001 graduate of Duluth East High School
East High School (Duluth, Minnesota)
East High School is the largest of three public secondary schools in Duluth, Minnesota. It educates students in grades nine through twelve. It first opened its doors in 1927, as a junior high school...
where he was a basketball star and highly recruited college prospect. He was named 2001 Minnesota Mr. Basketball
Minnesota Mr. Basketball
Minnesota Mr. Basketball is an annual award recognizing excellence in Minnesota boys' high school basketball. The female equivalent is Minnesota Miss Basketball. The award was established in 1975 and is given to the person chosen as the best high school boys' basketball senior in the U.S. state of...
.
Rickert is currently playing for the German basketball team EnBW Ludwigsburg
EnBW Ludwigsburg
EnBW Ludwigsburg is a basketball club based in Ludwigsburg, Germany that plays in the Basketball Bundesliga. Their home arena is Arena Ludwigsburg starting in 2009, after moving from Rundsporthalle Ludwigsburg.- Season by season :-Roster 2010–2011:...
.
Career
Rickert played collegiately for the University of MinnesotaMinnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball
The Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team represents the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers have played in the Big Ten since the conference began sponsoring basketball in 1905...
, where after averaging 15 points and 5 rebounds per game in 2001-2002 he became the first Gopher player ever to win the Big Ten Freshmen of the Year award. After averaging 16 points and 6 rebounds his sophomore season Rickert declared for the 2003 NBA Draft
2003 NBA Draft
The 2003 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2003 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and...
.
Despite his own beliefs that he would be taken in the first round, Rickert was not drafted until the 55th overall selection (26th in the second round) by the Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
. Rickert failed to make the team and went to play in Slovenia. Since then, Rickert has played with: Krka Novo Mesto
Krka Basketball Club
-Depth Chart:-In: Marko Đurković Curtis Stinson Jerome Jordan Jimmy Baxter Allan Ray...
(Adriatic League/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...
), Timberwolves (NBA), Asheville Altitude (D-League), Panellinios B.C. Athens (Greece
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...
), Lleida Bàsquet (Spain - 2nd Division
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...
), Fayetteville Patriots
Fayetteville Patriots
The Fayetteville Patriots were a NBA Development League team based in Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States. Its logo design features a bald eagle's head and a basketball in the middle of a capital letter "P" with stars and stripes filling the rest of it.-Season By Season:- Franchise history...
(D-League), Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
(NBA), Colorado 14ers
Colorado 14ers
The Colorado 14ers were a team in the NBA Development League which began play in 2006-07. They were affiliated with the Denver Nuggets, New Jersey Nets and Toronto Raptors of the NBA. The 14ers played their home games at the Broomfield Event Center in the Denver suburb of Broomfield, Colorado. ...
(D-League), the D-League All Star Team that traveled to China, representing the U.S. in the world tournament (D-League), and the New Zealand Breakers
New Zealand Breakers
The New Zealand Breakers are a professional basketball team competing in the Australasian National Basketball League. The Breakers joined the NBL for the 2003/04 season as one of two expansion clubs. The club is based in the city of Auckland, New Zealand and play their home games at the North...
(Australasian Basketball League).
Kevin Garnett punched Rickert during a 2004 pick-up game, leading to stitches and a chipped tooth.
In 2007, Rickert signed to play with the New Zealand Breakers
New Zealand Breakers
The New Zealand Breakers are a professional basketball team competing in the Australasian National Basketball League. The Breakers joined the NBL for the 2003/04 season as one of two expansion clubs. The club is based in the city of Auckland, New Zealand and play their home games at the North...
in the Australasian NBL
National Basketball League (Australia)
The National Basketball League, also known as the iiNet NBL Championship for sponsorship reasons, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in Australasia....
. In June 2008, he re-signed with the New Zealand Breakers. In the 2008-09 season, he averaged 13.6 points and 8.1 rebounds.
Rick played for the Harbour Heat
Harbour Heat
The Harbour Heat are a New Zealand professional basketball team that competes in the National Basketball League . They play their home fixtures at the North Shore Events Centre in Auckland, Auckland Region.-Roster:-External links:...
in the 2010 domestic NBL competition in New Zealand. The Heat made the Quarter finals where Rick scored 30 points.
Rick was signed to play with the Gold Coast Blaze
Gold Coast Blaze
The Gold Coast Blaze is an Australian professional basketball team which competes in the National Basketball League . The Blaze competed in their inaugural season in 2007/08. The club is based on the Gold Coast and joins two other NBL clubs competing from Queensland...
for the 2010-11 in the Australasian NBL, however, he did not receive clearance to play as a 'naturalized' player following Rick obtaining New Zealand citizenship (and the Blaze club did not sign him as one of only two import positions available) and he then moved away from Australia and moved to the German
Basketball Bundesliga
The Basketball Bundesliga — commonly abbreviated BBL — is the highest level league of club basketball in Germany. The league comprises 18 teams. A BBL season is split into a league stage and a playoff stage...
basketball club EnBW Ludwigsburg
EnBW Ludwigsburg
EnBW Ludwigsburg is a basketball club based in Ludwigsburg, Germany that plays in the Basketball Bundesliga. Their home arena is Arena Ludwigsburg starting in 2009, after moving from Rundsporthalle Ludwigsburg.- Season by season :-Roster 2010–2011:...
.
As of May 2011, Rickert played for the Bayamon Vaqueros in the Puerto Rico professional basketball league.
Awards
NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS, AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE: 2007-08
- Australasian National Basketball League All Star
COLORADO 14ERS NBDL:2006-07
- NBDL All Star, played in Las Vegas All Star Game
- NBDL All Star World Games Player/Representative
TEAM KRKA: SLOVENIA: 2003-04
- Adriatic League All Star Team
- Leading Scorer for KRKA
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA: 2002-03
- All-Big Ten First Team by coaches
- All-Big Ten Second Team by media
- All-Big Ten Academic
- Selected Playboy All American
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA: 2001-02
- Big Ten Freshman of the year
- All-Big Ten Second Team by coaches
- All-Big Ten Second Team by media
HIGH SCHOOL: 2000-01
- McDonald’s High School All-American
- Mr. Basketball in the state of Minnesota