Sonny Weems
Encyclopedia
Clarence "Sonny" Weems is an American
basketball
player who plays for Zalgiris Kaunas
. Weems was selected by the Chicago Bulls
in the 2008 NBA Draft
and shortly thereafter traded to the Denver Nuggets
. Weems played collegiate basketball at the University of Arkansas
and the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. At 6'6" (1.98 m), Weems is able to play both guard and small forward
, although his skill set makes him more suited to play the former.
where he was named first team all-state as a senior after leading his team to the 5A state championship, and was also a 6-10 high jump
er in track and field
. In Weems' high school career, West Memphis posted a record of 68-10. Weems averaged over 20 points per game as sophomore and junior, and 14.0 rebounds per game as a senior.
After high school, Weems attended junior college
at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, and was named 3rd team All-American, as well as all-conference and all-region as a freshman. Ranked as the number one junior college player in the nation by Rivals.com and Street & Smith's, Weems took UAFS to the National Junior College Athletic Association
(NJCAA) National Championship in 2006. Weems was named Honorable Mention All-American and was selected for the all-tournament team. In two years at UAFS, Weems led the team to a 62-7 record and back-to-back Bi-State Conference
Eastern Division titles.
Weems signed with the Arkansas Razorbacks
as a junior, which was also Stan Heath
's final season as head coach. He averaged 11.8 points per game and was named to all-tournament teams at the Old Spice Classic and the SEC Tournament as he helped the Razorbacks to their third consecutive winning season and their second straight NCAA Tournament
appearance, losing to the USC Trojans
in the first round.
Weems played his senior season with a new head coach, John Pelphrey
, and earned first team All-SEC
with per game averages of 15.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists. Weems led the Razorbacks to their first NCAA tournament win in nine years with an upset victory of Indiana University
. He finished the game with 31 points, out-dueling the much heralded freshman Eric Gordon
, who was held to only eight points. After his team lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament, Weems later won the College Slam Dunk
Championship held at the Final Four
.
, but later decided not to attend. Instead, Weems worked out for several teams: the Memphis Grizzlies
, Orlando Magic
, Chicago Bulls
, Boston Celtics
, Golden State Warriors
, New Jersey Nets
, New Orleans Hornets, and Portland Trail Blazers
, receiving increased interest because of his high scores in speed and agility drills. Weems was selected with the 39th pick of the 2008 NBA Draft
by the Bulls, but he was traded almost immediately to the Denver Nuggets
for a second-round pick in the 2009 NBA Draft
in a three-team trade involving the Portland Trail Blazers.
affiliate Colorado 14ers
.
Weems averaged 18.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 10 games for the 14ers. On December 14, Weems led the 14ers with 20 points, including 9-of-14 field goals, in a 129-108 home win over Reno. Other notable Weems performances include a team-leading 24 points in a thrilling 99-98 loss to Sioux Falls
on December 17, a 26-point effort in a 111-104 loss to the Tulsa 66ers
on December 20, 25 points in a 99-95 victory over the 66ers on December 23, and 24 points and 10 rebounds in a 131-120 14ers win over Fort Wayne
on December 30. On January 6, 2009, Weems was recalled from the 14ers back to the Denver Nuggets.
with 3:31 remaining in a 106-88 loss to Orlando
.
On July 31, 2009, he was traded along with Walter Sharpe
and cash considerations to the Milwaukee Bucks
for Malik Allen
.
On August 18, 2009, Weems was traded to the Toronto Raptors
along with Amir Johnson
in exchange for Carlos Delfino
and Roko Ukić.
Weems has the distinction of assisting a slam dunk competitor in back to back All Star Games: J.R. Smith
in 2009 and DeMar DeRozan
in 2010.
On April 7, 2010, Weems was placed in the starting lineup and scored a then career-high 21 points to lead the Raptors, but the Raptors lost the game to the Boston Celtics
. His current career-high in points is 25 which he scored on November 17, 2010 against the Philadelphia 76ers
.
, on a one year contract.
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Denver
| 12 || 0 || 4.6 || .320 || .000 || .375 || .3 || .3 || .1 || .0 || 1.6
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
| align="left" | Toronto
| 69 || 19 || 19.8 || .515 || .133 || .688 || 2.8 || 1.5 || .6 || .4 || 7.5
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left" | Toronto
| 59 || 28 || 23.9 || .444 || .279 || .766 || 2.6 || 1.8 || .6 || .0 || 9.2
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 140 || 47 || 20.3 || .474 || .241 || .717 || 2.5 || 1.5 || .5 || .2 || 7.7
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
basketball
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 who plays for Zalgiris Kaunas
BC Žalgiris
BC Žalgiris is a professional basketball team that is based in Kaunas, Lithuania. It is one of the oldest teams in the Euroleague and plays domestically in the Lietuvos krepšinio lyga , and regionally in the VTB United League...
. Weems was selected by the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
in the 2008 NBA Draft
2008 NBA Draft
The 2008 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2008 at the Washington Mutual Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, including...
and shortly thereafter traded to 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...
. Weems played collegiate basketball at the University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
and the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. At 6'6" (1.98 m), Weems is able to play both guard and 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...
, although his skill set makes him more suited to play the former.
High school and college basketball
Weems played basketball at West Memphis High SchoolWest Memphis High School
West Memphis High School is a high school in West Memphis, Arkansas....
where he was named first team all-state as a senior after leading his team to the 5A state championship, and was also a 6-10 high jump
High jump
The high jump is a track and field athletics event in which competitors must jump over a horizontal bar placed at measured heights without the aid of certain devices in its modern most practiced format; auxiliary weights and mounds have been used for assistance; rules have changed over the years....
er in track and field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
. In Weems' high school career, West Memphis posted a record of 68-10. Weems averaged over 20 points per game as sophomore and junior, and 14.0 rebounds per game as a senior.
After high school, Weems attended junior college
Junior college
The term junior college refers to different educational institutions in different countries.-India:In India, most states provide schooling through 12th grade...
at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, and was named 3rd team All-American, as well as all-conference and all-region as a freshman. Ranked as the number one junior college player in the nation by Rivals.com and Street & Smith's, Weems took UAFS to the National Junior College Athletic Association
National Junior College Athletic Association
The National Junior College Athletic Association , founded in 1938, is an association of community college and junior college athletic departments throughout the United States. It is held as Divisions and Regions. The current NJCAA holds 24 separate regions.-History:The idea for the NJCAA was...
(NJCAA) National Championship in 2006. Weems was named Honorable Mention All-American and was selected for the all-tournament team. In two years at UAFS, Weems led the team to a 62-7 record and back-to-back Bi-State Conference
Bi-State Conference
Also known as '. Hosted by the National Junior College Athletic Association, also known as Region II is a junior college conference for many Tech and Community Colleges...
Eastern Division titles.
Weems signed with the Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas Razorbacks
The Razorbacks, also known as the Hogs, are the names of college sports teams at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The term Arkansas Razorbacks properly applies to any of the sports teams at the university. The Razorbacks take their name from the feral pig of the same name...
as a junior, which was also Stan Heath
Stan Heath
Stanley Heath, III is the head men's basketball coach at the University of South Florida Bulls...
's final season as head coach. He averaged 11.8 points per game and was named to all-tournament teams at the Old Spice Classic and the SEC Tournament as he helped the Razorbacks to their third consecutive winning season and their second straight NCAA Tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
appearance, losing to the USC Trojans
USC Trojans
The USC Trojans are the athletic teams representing the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. While the men's teams are nicknamed the Trojans, the women's athletic teams are referred to as either the Trojans or Women of Troy...
in the first round.
Weems played his senior season with a new head coach, John Pelphrey
John Pelphrey
John Leslie Pelphrey is an American college basketball coach and was the 14th head men's basketball coach at the University of Arkansas . After being named Kentucky's "Mr. Basketball" in 1987, he became a star college player at the University of Kentucky. Prior to coaching the Razorbacks, he...
, and earned first team All-SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
with per game averages of 15.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists. Weems led the Razorbacks to their first NCAA tournament win in nine years with an upset victory of 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...
. He finished the game with 31 points, out-dueling the much heralded freshman Eric Gordon
Eric Gordon
Eric Ambrose Gordon, Jr. , nicknamed "EJ", is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA. In high school, he was named "Mr. Basketball" of Indiana during his senior year while playing at North Central High School...
, who was held to only eight points. After his team lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament, Weems later won the College Slam Dunk
Slam dunk
A slam dunk is a type of basketball shot that is performed when a player jumps in the air and manually powers the ball downward through the basket with one or both hands over the rim. This is considered a normal field goal attempt; if successful it is worth two points. The term "slam dunk" was...
Championship held at the Final Four
Final four
Final Four isa sports term that is commonly applied to the last four teams remaining in a playoff tournament, most notably NCAA Division I college basketball tournaments. The term usually refers to the four teams who compete in the two games of a single-elimination tournament's semi-final round...
.
Professional career
Weems accepted an invitation to participate in the Portsmouth Invitational TournamentPortsmouth Invitational Tournament
The Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, or "PIT", is the United States' oldest amateur basketball tournament and the only postseason camp conducted for the top NCAA seniors only....
, but later decided not to attend. Instead, Weems worked out for several teams: the Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
, Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
, Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
, Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
, 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...
, New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, New Orleans Hornets, and Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
, receiving increased interest because of his high scores in speed and agility drills. Weems was selected with the 39th pick of the 2008 NBA Draft
2008 NBA Draft
The 2008 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2008 at the Washington Mutual Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, including...
by the Bulls, but he was traded almost immediately to 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...
for a second-round pick in the 2009 NBA Draft
2009 NBA Draft
The 2009 NBA Draft was held on June 25, 2009, the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...
in a three-team trade involving the Portland Trail Blazers.
NBA Development League
On December 10, 2008, the Nuggets, for whom he had yet to play because of a sports hernia surgery and then a groin strain, assigned Weems to their Development LeagueNBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
affiliate 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. ...
.
Weems averaged 18.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 10 games for the 14ers. On December 14, Weems led the 14ers with 20 points, including 9-of-14 field goals, in a 129-108 home win over Reno. Other notable Weems performances include a team-leading 24 points in a thrilling 99-98 loss to Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls Skyforce
The Sioux Falls Skyforce is a professional basketball team that plays in the NBA Development League. They are based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States. The team plays at the Sioux Falls Arena. The Skyforce began in the CBA in 1989...
on December 17, a 26-point effort in a 111-104 loss to the Tulsa 66ers
Tulsa 66ers
The Tulsa 66ers are an NBA Development League team based in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the minor league affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Their logo design is a basketball behind mountains with a road leading up to them, all on a U.S...
on December 20, 25 points in a 99-95 victory over the 66ers on December 23, and 24 points and 10 rebounds in a 131-120 14ers win over Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne Mad Ants
The Fort Wayne Mad Ants are a team of the NBA Development League, located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Allen County War Memorial Coliseum is the home venue for the team. The team is the first minor league basketball franchise to play in Fort Wayne since the Fort Wayne Fury...
on December 30. On January 6, 2009, Weems was recalled from the 14ers back to the Denver Nuggets.
NBA
Weems scored 4 points in his NBA regular season debut with the Nuggets on January 17, 2009, when he substituted for Anthony CarterAnthony Carter
Anthony Bernard Carter is an American professional basketball player who last played for the New York Knicks.-Early life:...
with 3:31 remaining in a 106-88 loss to Orlando
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
.
On July 31, 2009, he was traded along with Walter Sharpe
Walter Sharpe
Walter L. Sharpe III is an American professional basketball player.-Early career:Sharpe played his prep basketball at Parker High School in Birmingham, Alabama, his place of birth. He was later signed by Mississippi State University...
and cash considerations to the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
for Malik Allen
Malik Allen
Malik Omar Allen is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Orlando Magic.After four years at Villanova University Allen went undrafted in the 2000 NBA Draft. He began his career in the ABA with the San Diego Wildfire and in the International Basketball League with...
.
On August 18, 2009, Weems was traded to the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
along with Amir Johnson
Amir Johnson
Amir Jalla Johnson is an American professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the NBA. He plays the position of power forward.-NBA career:...
in exchange for Carlos Delfino
Carlos Delfino
Carlos Francisco Delfino is an Argentine professional basketball player. He also has Italian citizenship. Delfino plays at the small forward and shooting guard positions. He stands tall and weighs . He is also noted for his defensive skills...
and Roko Ukić.
Weems has the distinction of assisting a slam dunk competitor in back to back All Star Games: J.R. Smith
J.R. Smith
Earl Smith III, known as J. R. Smith , is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in China...
in 2009 and DeMar DeRozan
DeMar DeRozan
DeMar Darnell DeRozan is an American professional basketball player, selected ninth overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors of the NBA. DeRozan played college basketball at USC for the Trojans...
in 2010.
On April 7, 2010, Weems was placed in the starting lineup and scored a then career-high 21 points to lead the Raptors, but the Raptors lost the game to the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
. His current career-high in points is 25 which he scored on November 17, 2010 against the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
.
Zalgiris
On July 8, 2011, Weems signed with his current team, Zalgiris KaunasBC Žalgiris
BC Žalgiris is a professional basketball team that is based in Kaunas, Lithuania. It is one of the oldest teams in the Euroleague and plays domestically in the Lietuvos krepšinio lyga , and regionally in the VTB United League...
, on a one year contract.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left" | Denver
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...
| 12 || 0 || 4.6 || .320 || .000 || .375 || .3 || .3 || .1 || .0 || 1.6
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
2009–10 NBA season
The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010....
| align="left" | Toronto
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
| 69 || 19 || 19.8 || .515 || .133 || .688 || 2.8 || 1.5 || .6 || .4 || 7.5
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
2010–11 NBA season
The 2010–11 NBA season was the 65th season of the National Basketball Association . The 2011 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in six games, 4 games to 2, to win their first NBA title, and...
| align="left" | Toronto
| 59 || 28 || 23.9 || .444 || .279 || .766 || 2.6 || 1.8 || .6 || .0 || 9.2
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 140 || 47 || 20.3 || .474 || .241 || .717 || 2.5 || 1.5 || .5 || .2 || 7.7