Will Solomon
Encyclopedia
William "Will" James Solomon (born July 20, 1978 in Hartford, Connecticut
) is an American
professional basketball
player who is currently playing for the Cherkassky Mavpy in Ukraine
. He has also played with the Sacramento Kings
of the NBA
.
in East Hartford, Connecticut
. He held several records and is in several clubs in their schools basketball program such as "1000 Career Points", "All State", "All Conference", and the only member of the "NBA Draft" club. He went to Clemson where he continued his basketball career.
after his junior year at Clemson University
. He was selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies
in the second round thirty-second overall pick. Solomon played for the Grizzlies in the 2001–02 season
and averaged 5.2 ppg in 62 games.
After only one year in the NBA Solomon decided to move to Europe and was signed by Aris Thessaloniki
in 2003. That year he won the FIBA Europe
European Challenge Cup.
After a year in Greece
Solomon moved to Israel
and played for Hapoel Jerusalem
, with whom he won another European title, the ULEB Cup
. In Israel he was often nicknamed "The Fish" (Ha-dag, הדג), as in Hebrew his last name resembles "Salmon
" much more than King Solomon, which is pronounced "Shlomo".
For 2004–05 he moved to Turkey
and was signed by Efes Pilsen S.K.. He then played for the first time in his career in the Euroleague
. With the help of Solomon, Efes Pilsen won the Turkish Championship that year.
Solomon moved back to Israel the following season and was signed by Maccabi Tel Aviv
, who were the European champions the previous two seasons and were close to winning a third consecutive Euroleague title before losing in the final. After this, he returned to İstanbul
and joined Fenerbahçe Ülker
, that enjoyed a high budget and a Euroleague
spot after the Ülker Food Group
decided to close their own team and move their entire support of funds and players to Fenerbahçe
's basketball team. Nicknamed 'King Solomon' by the Fenerbahçe fans, he helped the team win two championships.
Solomon also played point guard
for the Washington Wizards
summer league team in Las Vegas
during the NBA's offseason in 2006.
On July 28, 2008, Solomon was signed by the Toronto Raptors
.
On February 19, 2009, Solomon was traded to the Sacramento Kings
in a three-team deal that sent Patrick O'Bryant
to the Raptors from the Boston Celtics
and a conditional second round pick in 2014 to the Celtics. Shortly after being traded to the Sacramento Kings
Will Solomon was waived
On 9 April 2009, the Turkish champions Fenerbahçe Ülker
reached an agreement with him in order to make him come back to his former team but he was released from his contract on November 7, 2009.
In August 2010 he returned to Israel and signed a one year contract with pro club Hapoel Jerusalem B.C. .
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional 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 is currently playing for the Cherkassky Mavpy in Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
. He has also played with the Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
of the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
.
Amateur career
Solomon was first noticed at East Hartford High SchoolEast Hartford High School
East Hartford High School is the public high school of East Hartford, Connecticut, along with its next-door neighbor, Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy , a college-preparatory high school for grades 9-12. East Hartford High is notably diverse for a suburban school, having a 34% black,...
in East Hartford, Connecticut
East Hartford, Connecticut
East Hartford is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 51,252 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
. He held several records and is in several clubs in their schools basketball program such as "1000 Career Points", "All State", "All Conference", and the only member of the "NBA Draft" club. He went to Clemson where he continued his basketball career.
Pro career
Solomon declared himself eligible for the 2001 NBA Draft2001 NBA Draft
The 2001 NBA Draft took place on June 27, 2001 in New York City, New York. Kwame Brown became the first high school player drafted with the first overall pick...
after his junior year at Clemson University
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
. He was selected by the Vancouver 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...
in the second round thirty-second overall pick. Solomon played for the Grizzlies in the 2001–02 season
2001-02 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-Yearly awards:*Most Valuable Player: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs*Rookie of the Year: Pau Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies*Defensive Player of the Year: Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons...
and averaged 5.2 ppg in 62 games.
After only one year in the NBA Solomon decided to move to Europe and was signed by Aris Thessaloniki
Aris BC
Aris Basketball Club is the professional basketball team of the Thessaloniki-based Greek sport club Aris Thessaloniki. Aris BC was founded in 1922, eight years after the founding of Aris Thessaloniki....
in 2003. That year he won the FIBA Europe
FIBA Europe
FIBA Europe is a zone within the International Basketball Federation which includes all 49 national European basketball federations.-Division A:-Division B: -Division C:...
European Challenge Cup.
After a year in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
Solomon moved to Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
and played for Hapoel Jerusalem
Hapoel Jerusalem
Hapoel Jerusalem is a sport organization in Jerusalem, Israel as a local branch of the Hapoel movement. The branch was established in the 1920s and represents the city in more sports than any other sport organization in Jerusalem...
, with whom he won another European title, the ULEB Cup
ULEB Cup
Eurocup Basketball is the second-tier level transnational professional basketball competition in Europe. The Eurocup is the level that is one tier below the Turkish Airlines Euroleague level...
. In Israel he was often nicknamed "The Fish" (Ha-dag, הדג), as in Hebrew his last name resembles "Salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
" much more than King Solomon, which is pronounced "Shlomo".
For 2004–05 he moved to Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
and was signed by Efes Pilsen S.K.. He then played for the first time in his career in 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...
. With the help of Solomon, Efes Pilsen won the Turkish Championship that year.
Solomon moved back to Israel the following season and was signed by Maccabi Tel Aviv
Maccabi Tel Aviv (basketball)
Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv B.C. is a professional Israeli basketball club based in Tel Aviv. The team plays in three leagues: the Euroleague, the Israeli Basketball Super League, and the Adriatic League....
, who were the European champions the previous two seasons and were close to winning a third consecutive Euroleague title before losing in the final. After this, he returned to İstanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
and joined Fenerbahçe Ülker
Fenerbahçe Ülker
Fenerbahçe Ülker is the professional men's basketball department of Fenerbahçe S.K., a major multisport club based in Istanbul, Turkey. The department has been sponsored by the Ülker since 2006. In 2006 Fenerbahçe S.K...
, that enjoyed a high budget and a 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...
spot after the Ülker Food Group
Ülker
Ülker is a major Turkish manufacturer of food products, which are exported internationally, to 110 countries.The company's core products are cookies, crackers, and chocolates, although Ülker has expanded to other product categories....
decided to close their own team and move their entire support of funds and players to Fenerbahçe
Fenerbahçe Ülker
Fenerbahçe Ülker is the professional men's basketball department of Fenerbahçe S.K., a major multisport club based in Istanbul, Turkey. The department has been sponsored by the Ülker since 2006. In 2006 Fenerbahçe S.K...
's basketball team. Nicknamed 'King Solomon' by the Fenerbahçe fans, he helped the team win two championships.
Solomon also played point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
for the Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
summer league team in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
during the NBA's offseason in 2006.
On July 28, 2008, Solomon was signed by 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...
.
On February 19, 2009, Solomon was traded to the Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
in a three-team deal that sent Patrick O'Bryant
Patrick O'Bryant
Patrick Fitzgerald O'Bryant is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for Kavala B.C. in Greece. The , center was selected out of Bradley University by the Golden State Warriors with the 9th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft...
to the Raptors from 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...
and a conditional second round pick in 2014 to the Celtics. Shortly after being traded to the Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
Will Solomon was waived
On 9 April 2009, the Turkish champions Fenerbahçe Ülker
Fenerbahçe Ülker
Fenerbahçe Ülker is the professional men's basketball department of Fenerbahçe S.K., a major multisport club based in Istanbul, Turkey. The department has been sponsored by the Ülker since 2006. In 2006 Fenerbahçe S.K...
reached an agreement with him in order to make him come back to his former team but he was released from his contract on November 7, 2009.
In August 2010 he returned to Israel and signed a one year contract with pro club Hapoel Jerusalem B.C. .
Career highlights
GreeceGreece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
-
- Aris ThessalonikiAris BCAris Basketball Club is the professional basketball team of the Thessaloniki-based Greek sport club Aris Thessaloniki. Aris BC was founded in 1922, eight years after the founding of Aris Thessaloniki....
- European Challenge CupEuroCup ChallengeThe EuroCup Challenge was the 4th tier level transnational professional club basketball competition in Europe. It was run and organized by FIBA Europe.-Promotion to FIBA EuroCup:...
Champion: 1 (2003) IsraelIsraelThe State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
- European Challenge Cup
- Hapoel Jerusalem
- ULEB CupULEB CupEurocup Basketball is the second-tier level transnational professional basketball competition in Europe. The Eurocup is the level that is one tier below the Turkish Airlines Euroleague level...
Champion: 1 (2004)
- ULEB Cup
- Maccabi Tel Aviv
- Israeli LeagueLigat WinnerLigat HaAl , or the Israeli Basketball Super League, is the top tier of league basketball competition in Israeli basketball, making it Israel's primary basketball competition. For sponsorship reasons, the league is also referred to as Ligat Loto , lit...
: 1 (2006) - Israel CupIsraeli Basketball State CupThe Israeli Basketball State Cup is the second most important basketball competition in Israel, after Ligat HaAl. The tournament began in the 1955-56 season, and is run by the Israel Basketball Association....
Champion: 1 (2006) TurkeyTurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
- Israeli League
- Efes Pilsen
- Turkish Basketball LeagueTurkish Basketball LeagueThe Turkish Basketball League is the top men’s professional basketball league in Turkey, which is also called Turkish Premier Basketball League . There is also a Turkish Second Basketball League consisting of 2 divisions .-History:The first basketball game played in Turkey was at the Robert...
: 1 (2005) - Allstar match player of Turkey: 1 (2005)
- Turkish Basketball League
- FenerbahçeFenerbahçe ÜlkerFenerbahçe Ülker is the professional men's basketball department of Fenerbahçe S.K., a major multisport club based in Istanbul, Turkey. The department has been sponsored by the Ülker since 2006. In 2006 Fenerbahçe S.K...
- Turkish Basketball League: (2007, 2008Turkish Basketball League 2007-2008The 2007-08 Turkish Basketball League is the 42nd edition of the top-flight professional basketball league in Turkey. Beşiktaş Cola Turka finished first in the regular season and Fenerbahçe Ülker won the playoffs.-Regular season standings:...
)
- Turkish Basketball League: (2007, 2008
- Aris Thessaloniki