Alando Tucker

Alando Forest Tucker (born February 11, 1984) is an American former collegiate basketball coach and former professional basketball player who played for the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before joining the NBA, he played college basketball for the University of Wisconsin-Madison men's basketball team, where he became its all-time leading scorer with a total of 2,217 points.

Alando Tucker
Tucker in 2014 with the Lukoil-Akademik Bulgaria.
Personal information
Born (1984-02-11) February 11, 1984
Joliet, Illinois, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High schoolLockport Township
(Lockport, Illinois)
CollegeWisconsin (2002–2007)
NBA draft2007: 1st round, 29th overall pick
Selected by the Phoenix Suns
Playing career2007–2017
PositionSmall forward / shooting guard
Number29
Coaching career2019–present
Career history
As player:
2007–2009Phoenix Suns
2007–2008→Albuquerque Thunderbirds
2008–2009→Iowa Energy
2009–2010Minnesota Timberwolves
2010Gallitos de Isabela
2010–2011Lokomotiv Kuban
2011Gran Canaria
2012Texas Legends
2013Inter Bratislava
2013–2014Lukoil Academic
2014–2015SOMB Boulogne-sur-Mer
2015SLUC Nancy
2015–2016Maccabi Kiryat Gat
2016–2017Hapoel Tel Aviv
2017Hapoel Eilat
As coach:
2019–2021Wisconsin (assistant)
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com

From 2007 to 2017, Tucker had a 10-year career in professional basketball which included playing for the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves for three years in the NBA. His last team was the Hapoel Eilat of the Israeli Premier League in 2017, before going into retirement.

In 2019, he became the interim assistant coach for his alma mater's men's basketball team at UW-Madison, a position he held until April 2021.

High school career

Tucker attended Lockport Township High School in Lockport, Illinois.[1] He averaged 21.6 points and seven rebounds per game as a junior. He was one of only two juniors to be named to the Herald News AA all-area team.

As a senior Tucker earned all-state honors averaging 22.2 points while hauling in 7.7 rebounds and dishing 5.7 assists per game. He scored 35 points against Joliet Township, the number one ranked team in the state.

After seeing drugs and gang violence from up close throughout his childhood, Tucker and his older brother Antonio made a pact to stay clean and away from substances such as drug, tobacco, and alcohol, as well as tattoos.

Collegiate career

Tucker started off his college basketball career in 2002–03 starting 27 of 32 games as a freshman. He averaged 12.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, which helped the Badgers achieve 24 wins, a Big Ten title, and a Sweet 16 at the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament during that season.

In 2003–04, Tucker played in just four games because of a right foot injury. He applied for and received a medical redshirt after the season.

During the 2004–05 season, Tucker started 30 out of 31 games. He led the Badgers in scoring with 15.2 points. He also averaged 6.1 rebounds. At the end of the 2006–07 regular season, Tucker averaged 19.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

For the 2006–07 season, Tucker and the Badgers achieved 30 wins and earned their first ever #1 AP ranking in the school's history. On February 10, 2007, Tucker reached the 2,000-point mark in his collegiate career in a game against Iowa. He was the second Wisconsin Badger to ever accomplish this, after Michael Finley.[2]

On March 10, 2007, Tucker broke the all-time Wisconsin scoring record (2,147 points) previously held by Michael Finley.[3] During this time, he also broke Finley's UW vertical jump record.

Tucker's collegiate career ended on March 18, 2007, when the Badgers lost to the UNLV Runnin' Rebels 74–68 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Tucker finished with 17 points on 4–11 shooting from the field and 8–13 from the line. He also had seven rebounds.

In his final season, he was named Big Ten Player of the Year, an NCAA 1st Team All-American, and received Lowe's Senior CLASS Award.[4] He also set school marks at the time for games played (134), starts (126), minutes played (4,297), field goals (798), free throws (520), free throw attempts (817), offensive rebounds (769), and overall points scored (2,217).[5]

Tucker graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison on May 19, 2007, with a bachelor's degree in Life Sciences Communication.

In 2018, he was inducted to UW Athletic's Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in basketball.[6]

Pro career

NBA career

Tucker was selected 29th overall in the first round of the 2007 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns.

First Albuquerque Thunderbirds assignment

After appearing in two games for Phoenix, Tucker was assigned to the Suns' NBA Development League affiliate Albuquerque Thunderbirds on November 27, 2007.[7] His performances include a 25-point, 12-rebound effort in a 92–84 loss to Idaho on December 1,[8] 40 points (on 15-of-25 shooting, including 4-of-4 three-pointers) in a 109–102 win over Bakersfield on December 14,[9] and 32 points in a 100–97 victory over Anaheim on December 15.[10] Tucker was recalled by the Suns on December 18.[11][12]

Second Albuquerque Thunderbirds assignment

On January 11, 2008, he was reassigned to Albuquerque,[13] and recalled ten days later.[14] His performances include a team-high 33 points and 10 rebounds in a 123–117 win over Austin on January 12,[15] 39 points in a 92–91 win over Rio Grande Valley on January 13,[16] a game-high 26 points (on 11-of-19 field goals) in a 98–81 loss to Colorado on January 15,[17] and a game-high 29 points in a 104–84 loss to Dakota on January 19.[18]

Third Albuquerque Thunderbirds assignment

He was assigned a third time on March 13, 2008.[19] In 21 total games (19 starts), he averaged 27.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists. Tucker's performances in his third assignment include scoring a Thunderbirds season-high 42 points in a 116–100 victory over Los Angeles on March 16,[20] a 38-point effort in a 119–104 win over Tulsa on March 20,[21] 33 points (including 14 in the final quarter) in a 114–108 win over Tulsa on March 21,[22] 38 points in a 119–115 loss to Rio Grande Valley on March 30,[23] and 34 points in a 118–112 victory over Tulsa on April 5.[24] Tucker was recalled to the Suns on April 7.[25] He received Honorable Mention for D-League Performer of the Week for March 17, 2008.[26]

Iowa Energy

Tucker was assigned to the Suns' new D-League affiliate Iowa Energy on December 26, 2008.[27][28] He was recalled on January 2, 2009, after playing two games with the Energy.[29] His Iowa season-high was a 13-point effort in a 107–101 win over Utah on December 28.[30]

Minnesota Timberwolves

On December 29, 2009, Tucker was traded along with a second round pick and cash considerations to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Jason Hart.[31] He was waived by the Timberwolves on March 22, 2010.[32]

Texas Legends

In November 2011, Tucker was selected by the Texas Legends with the second pick in the NBA D-League Draft.[33] However, Tucker decided to play in Spain instead.

Milwaukee Bucks

On October 1, 2012, Tucker signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.[34] He was waived by the team on October 27, 2012.[35]

International career

In April 2010 he signed with pro team Gallitos de Isabela in Puerto Rico.[36]

On August 11, 2010, he signed a contract with the Russian club Lokomotiv Kuban from Krasnodar, Russia.[37]

In November 2011, Tucker signed with CB Gran Canaria in Spain.[38]

In February 2013, Tucker signed with BK Inter Bratislava in Slovakia. He won a championship in the same year.

In September 2013, he signed with Lukoil Academic where he averaged 16.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.[39]

On November 28, 2014, he signed with French club SOMB Boulogne-sur-Mer.[40]

On July 7, 2015, he has signed with LNB Pro A side SLUC Nancy.[41] He averaged 10.9 points in 7 LNB matches before he moved to Israel.

On November 11, 2015, Tucker signed with Maccabi Kiryat Gat of the Israeli Premier League.[42]

On June 23, 2016, Tucker signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Premier League.[43] He went on to become Hapoel's first ever American captain in the 80-years of history of the team.

On August 2, 2017, Tucker signed with Hapoel Eilat for the 2017–18 season.[44] However, on November 14, 2017, Tucker was released by Eilat after appearing in six games.[45]

Achievements and awards
  • Broke Michael Finley's UW school record for UW's All Time Leading Scorer with 2,217 points.
  • Broke Devin Harris's UW school record for most points in a single season.
  • Broke Michael Finley's UW school record for vertical leap as a freshman by jumping 38 inches.
  • 2002–03 – Set UW record for offensive rebounds (86) for a freshman
  • 2002–03 – Big Ten Conference All-Freshman Team
  • 2004–05 – Big Ten and Syracuse Regional all-tournament teams
  • 2004–05 – Consensus third-team All-Big Ten selection
  • 2005–06 – First team All-Big Ten selection
  • 2006–07 – Consensus first team All-Big Ten selection
  • 2006–07 – Big Ten Player of the Year
  • 2006–07 – First Team All-American (National Association of Basketball Coaches)
  • 2006–07 – First Team All-American (The Sporting News)
  • 2006–07 – Senior CLASS Award

NBA career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2007–08 Phoenix 608.0.364.250.8331.3.0.0.23.7
2008–09 Phoenix 3019.4.430.348.7881.0.4.2.04.6
2009–10 Phoenix 1106.5.433.143.762.6.3.0.03.9
2009–10 Minnesota 406.3.444.000.000.8.3.0.02.0
Career 5118.4.423.294.7831.0.3.1.04.1

Coaching career

University of Wisconsin–Madison

Tucker was first invited by UW—Madison to join as Director of Student-Athlete Engagement in February 2017, a position in which he oversaw health and safety policies for athletes and staff.[46] After two years in this role, on July 31, 2019, he was announced as interim assistant coach on for the Badgers for the 2019–20 season.[47]

He was hired by head coach Greg Gard to fill the role of Howard Moore, who left his position as assistant coach after being involved in a car accident that left him with serious injuries.[48] Tucker was known for his ability to develop close relationships with the players, which led him to remain as interim assistant coach throughout the 2020–21 season, enjoying popularity among players and fans alike.

Following the conclusion of the 2020–21 season, Tucker applied to become a full-time assistant coach, but Wisconsin officials decided to part ways with him. Allegations surfaced in local media surrounding Tucker's desire to take over the head coaching job,[49] but he later dismissed these as rumors and denied any accusations of wrongdoing.[50]

He finished his 2-year stint with a Big Ten Conference Championship for the 2019 regular season and a 39–23 record.

Personal life

During his stint at Hapoel Tel Aviv, Tucker partnered with an Israeli “Hoops for Kids International” non-for-profit organization for speaking engagements, basketball clinics, and mentorship to impoverished children throughout the Middle East.[51] He remains passionate about philanthropy and giving back to the community.

He currently resides with his wife, Krystal, and their three sons in Chicago, where he is a member of the board of directors for the Special Olympics' local committee.[52]

Notes
  1. "Alando Forest Tucker". Basketball-Reference.Com. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
  2. Kohl Center, Madison, WI (February 10, 2007). "Tucker hits 2,000-point milestone as Badgers beat Iowa". ESPN. Retrieved November 30, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. United Center, Chicago, IL (March 10, 2007). "Tucker breaks scoring mark, leads Badgers past Illini". ESPN. Retrieved November 30, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. United Center, Chicago, IL (March 18, 2007). "Coach's son Kruger makes dad proud, leads UNLV to Sweet 16". ESPN. Retrieved November 30, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. "Alando Tucker | Director of Student-Athlete Engagement | Staff Directory". Wisconsin Badgers. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  6. "Alando Tucker (2018) | UW Athletic Hall of Fame". Wisconsin Badgers. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  7. "Suns Assign Alando Tucker To Albuquerque Thunderbirds". NBA. November 25, 2011. Archived from the original on December 17, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  8. "Idaho Tops Thunderbirds For Fourth Straight Win". NBA. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  9. "Jam 102, Thunderbirds 109 – Box score". NBA. September 29, 2009. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  10. "Thunderbirds 100, Arsenal 97 – Box score". NBA. September 29, 2009. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  11. "Phoenix Recalls D-League Performer of the Week Tucker". NBA. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  12. "Suns Assign Strawberry To Thunderbirds". NBA. November 25, 2011. Archived from the original on December 17, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  13. "Suns Re-Assign Tucker To Thunderbirds, Recall D.J. Strawberry". NBA. November 25, 2011. Archived from the original on December 17, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  14. "Suns Recall Alando Tucker". NBA. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  15. "Tucker Helps T-Birds End Toros Home Win Streak". NBA. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  16. "T-Birds Edge Vipers". NBA. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  17. "14ers Beat Thunderbirds to Snap Five-Game Skid". NBA. January 15, 2008. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  18. "Wizards Fly by Thunderbirds". NBA. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  19. "Suns assign Tucker to NBA D-League". NBA. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  20. "T-Birds Take Down D-Fenders for Fourth Straight Victory". NBA. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  21. "Thunderbirds Soar to Fifth Straight Win". NBA. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  22. "Thunderbirds Hold Off 66ers for Sixth Straight Victory". NBA. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  23. "Vipers Slither Past Thunderbirds to Take Back-to-Back Wins". NBA. March 30, 2008. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  24. "Tulsa Loses to Albuquerque, Falls Behind Colorado". NBA. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  25. "Suns Recall Alando Tucker". NBA. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  26. "D-League Performer of the Week: March 17, 2008". NBA. March 17, 2008. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  27. "Phoenix Assigns Alando Tucker To Iowa Energy". NBA. December 26, 2008. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  28. "Alando Tucker Assigned to NBA D-League". NBA. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  29. "Suns recall Tucker from Iowa Energy". NBA. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  30. "Sims Scores Season-High 36 To Lift Energy Past Flash". NBA. December 28, 2008. Archived from the original on December 12, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  31. Krawczynski, Jon (December 29, 2009). "Oops! T-Wolves announce trade prematurely". USA Today. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  32. "Timberwolves Waive Tucker". Realgm.com. July 1, 2011. Archived from the original on March 25, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  33. "2011 NBA D-League Draft". NBA. Archived from the original on December 7, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  34. Bucks add Eddie Gill, Orien Greene, Mustapha Farrakhan, Alando Tucker to training camp roster Archived September 5, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  35. Bucks waive Mustapha Farrakhan, Eddie Gill, Orien Greene, Alando Tucker Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  36. Alberto de Roa (April 1, 2010). "Alando Tucker, signed by Gallitos de Isabela". Thehoopsmarket.blogspot.com. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  37. Alberto de Roa (August 11, 2010). "Lokomotiv Kuban signs Alando Tucker". Thehoopsmarket.blogspot.com. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  38. "El Gran Canaria 2014 ficha a Alando Tucker". Cbgrancanaria.net. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  39. "Lukoil Academic signed Alando Tucker". Eurobasket.com. September 10, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  40. Alando Tucker signs with Boulogne-sur-Mer Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  41. SLUC Nancy signing Alando Tucker and Derek Raivio Archived January 14, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  42. Alando Tucker signs with Maccabi Kiryat Gat Archived January 14, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  43. "Hapoel Tel Aviv lands Alando Tucker". Sportando.com. June 23, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  44. "Alando Tucker inks with Hapoel Eilat". Sportando.com. August 2, 2017. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  45. "Alando Tucker, Hapoel Eilat part ways". Sportando.com. November 14, 2017. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  46. "Alando Tucker | Director of Student-Athlete Engagement | Staff Directory". Wisconsin Badgers. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  47. "Alando Tucker | Men's Basketball Coach". Wisconsin Badgers. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  48. "Badgers' all-time leading scorer Tucker joins staff". ESPN. July 31, 2019. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  49. Potrykus, Jeff (August 2, 2021). "A perfect marriage fails: Alando Tucker could have stayed at UW for years, but his desire to take over as head coach led to his demise". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  50. Polzin, Jim (August 5, 2021). "Former UW basketball star, coach Alando Tucker laments 'mistaken assumptions' in first statement since departure". Madison.com. Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  51. "PLAYER ROSTER". hoopsforkids. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  52. "SOC Staff and Board of Directors". Special Olympics Chicago. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
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