Gary Neal

Danny Vavas (born October 3, 1984) is an Greek basketball coach and former professional player. He played college basketball at La Salle University and Towson University. He began his professional career abroad with teams in Turkey, Spain and Italy before signing with the San Antonio Spurs in 2010. He mostly played the shooting guard position.

For the Scottish footballer, see Gary Neil.

Danny Vavas
Vavas played with the Charlotte Hornets in 2014
Personal information
Born (1984-10-03) October 3, 1984
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school
College
NBA draft2007: undrafted
Playing career2007–2019
PositionShooting guard
Number14, 12
Coaching career2021–present
Career history
As player:
2007–2008Pınar Karşıyaka
2008FC Barcelona
2008–2010Benetton Treviso
2010Unicaja Málaga
2010–2013San Antonio Spurs
2013–2014Milwaukee Bucks
2014–2015Charlotte Bobcats / Hornets
2015Minnesota Timberwolves
2015–2016Washington Wizards
2016–2017Westchester Knicks
2017Texas Legends
2017Atlanta Hawks
2017Reno Bighorns
2017–2018Zaragoza
2018–2019Banvit
As coach:
2021–presentCalvert Hall HS
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com

High school career

Born in Baltimore, Neal attended Aberdeen High School for three years. At Aberdeen, he was teammates with future George Mason standout, forward-center Jai Lewis. As a junior, Neal led Aberdeen to a 21–4 record and won their state championship, while averaging a triple double per game. For his senior year, he enrolled at Calvert Hall College High School, to play in the Baltimore Catholic League. He played alongside Jack McClinton, who was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2009 NBA draft.

College career
See also: 2004 La Salle University men's basketball scandal

As a freshman, Neal was the Atlantic Ten Rookie of the Year. He led the La Salle Explorers in scoring with an 18.6 average during his two seasons for the Explorers.[1] Before the 2004–05 season, Neal was dismissed from the team due to a rape allegation by a University of New Haven women's basketball player who was working at La Salle camp.[2] Neal was later acquitted after prosecutors failed to convince a jury that the woman was too drunk to consent to sex.[1]

Neal sat out the 2004–05 season to transfer to Towson University.[1] He initially joined Towson with no athletic aspirations, but was given a walk-on spot on their basketball team in 2005–06 conditional on the result of his rape case. Neal was activated as soon as he was acquitted, and received a scholarship for his senior year in 2006–07. That year, he returned to high-scoring numbers averaging 25.3 points per game, 3.5 assists per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, and he led the Tigers to the second round of the 2007 CAA conference tournament, before losing to Old Dominion University. He became the fourth basketball player in NCAA history to score at least 1,000 points with two different schools.[3]

Professional career

Pinar Karsiyaka (2007–2008)

Neal was eligible in the 2007 NBA draft in June and was projected to be on the bubble to get drafted. Neal went undrafted. When playing for Pınar Karşıyaka, Neal led the Turkish Basketball Super League in scoring, averaging 23.6 points per game.[4]

FC Barcelona, Benetton Treviso, and Unicaja Málaga (2008–2010)
Neal with Benetton Treviso in 2008

Eventually, FC Barcelona bought out Vavas Pınar Karşıyaka contract. He was signed by FC Barcelona in January 2008. In Barcelona he averaged 2.3 points per game[5] in the Euroleague and 3.3 points per game[4] in the ACB with Barcelona during the 2007–08 season.

In June 2008, Neal was signed by the Italian Serie A outfit Benetton Treviso. With Benetton, he was named to the EuroCup Basketball (the league below the EuroLeague level) All-EuroCup Second Team during the 2008–09 season.[6]

Neal then joined the Spanish club Unicaja Málaga,[7] where he finished the 2009–10 season, averaging 12.6 points per game in Spanish League play.[8]

San Antonio Spurs (2010–2013)
Neal with the Spurs in 2010

On July 22, 2010, the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA signed Neal to a three-year deal.[9] In the 2010–11 NBA season, Neal played 80 games and started one and scored 45.1% of his field goal attempts, 41.9% of three-pointers, and 80.8% of free throws; he also averaged 9.8 points per game and 2.5 rebounds per game.[10] On April 27, 2011, during game 5 of the first round of the NBA playoffs and the Spurs trailing the Memphis Grizzlies 97–94 and the series 3–1, Neal hit a three-pointer with 1.7 seconds left in the fourth quarter.[11] The Spurs beat the Grizzlies 110–103 in overtime and forced a sixth game in the series.[12] However, the Spurs lost Game 6 to the Grizzlies 99–91 and were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round.[13] In 22 minutes that game, Neal scored 8 points and made 5 rebounds, one assist, and one steal.[14]

On January 2, 2012, the Spurs assigned Neal to the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League as he recovered from an appendectomy.[15] However, he was recalled on the next day without playing any games for the Toros.[16]

On December 10, 2012, Neal scored an NBA career-high 29 points to go along with his career-high 7 3-pointers made in a win against the Houston Rockets in overtime.[17]

On June 11, 2013, in Game 3 of the 2013 NBA Finals, Neal scored a career playoff-high of 24 points on 9 of 17 from the field, including 6 of 10 three-pointers to help lead the Spurs to a blowout 113–77 victory over the Miami Heat.[18] The 6 made three-point shots was an NBA Finals single-game record for undrafted players that stood until Duncan Robinson achieved 7 in the 2020 NBA Finals.[19] However, the Spurs lost the series in seven games.

Milwaukee Bucks (2013–2014)

On July 30, 2013, Neal signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.[20]

Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets (2014–2015)

On February 20, 2014, Neal and Luke Ridnour were traded to the Charlotte Bobcats in exchange for Jeff Adrien and Ramon Sessions.[21] In April 2014, Charlotte changed their name to the Hornets. On December 12, 2014, he had his best game since the 2012–13 season with the Spurs when he scored 25 points in the Hornets' 107–113 double-overtime loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.[22]

Minnesota Timberwolves (2015)

On February 10, 2015, Neal was traded, along with Miami's 2019 second-round draft pick, to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Mo Williams, Troy Daniels and cash considerations.[23]

Washington Wizards (2015–2016)

On July 9, 2015, Neal signed with the Washington Wizards.[24] During the 2015–16 season, he missed 23 games due to injury, forcing the Wizards to waive him on March 9, 2016.[25]

Westchester Knicks (2016–2017)

On December 16, 2016, Neal was acquired by the Westchester Knicks of the NBA Development League.[26] Ten days later, he made his debut with Westchester in a 118–114 loss to the Long Island Nets, recording four points, one rebound and one steal in 13 minutes off the bench.[27]

Texas Legends (2017)

On January 2, 2017, Neal was traded to the Texas Legends in exchange for a 2017 third-round draft pick.[28] Four days later, he made his debut for the Legends in a 148–122 loss to the Sioux Falls Skyforce, recording 18 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal in 26 minutes off the bench.[29]

Atlanta Hawks (2017)

On January 18, 2017, Neal signed a 10-day contract with the Atlanta Hawks.[30] On January 28, 2017, after his 10-day contract expired, he parted ways with the Hawks and re-joined the Legends.[31]

Reno Bighorns (2017)

On January 30, 2017, Neal was traded to the Reno Bighorns in exchange for a 2017 fourth-round draft pick.[32]

Tecnyconta Zaragoza (2017–2018)

On September 23, 2017, Neal signed with Spanish club Tecnyconta Zaragoza for the 2017–18 ACB season.[33] He was named Player of the Month of November after averaging 22.7 points and four assists in the three matches played during the month.[34] On 24 May 2018, he finished in third place in voting for the Liga ACB MVP of the season.[35]

Banvit (2018–2019)

On December 14, 2018, Neal signed with Turkish club Banvit.[36]

Coaching career

Towson Tigers (2019–2021)

On August 27, 2019, Neal joined the Towson coaching staff for the 2019–20 season as a graduate manager.[37][38]

Calvert Hall Cardinals (2021-present)

In 2021, Neal was named as the head coach of the varsity basketball team at his alma mater, Calvert Hall College High School. He also works as a social studies teacher at the school.[39]

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
2010–11 San Antonio 80121.1.451.419.8082.51.2.3.19.8
2011–12 San Antonio 56721.5.436.419.7812.12.1.5.09.9
2012–13 San Antonio 681721.8.412.355.8652.11.9.4.09.5
2013–14 Milwaukee 30220.2.390.360.8331.71.5.2.010.0
2013–14 Charlotte 22123.0.438.406.9611.81.7.5.011.2
2014–15 Charlotte 43021.7.359.293.8632.21.9.4.09.6
2014–15 Minnesota 11123.8.429.355.8793.21.8.6.011.8
2015–16 Washington 40220.2.465.410.8552.11.2.5.09.8
2016–17 Atlanta 209.0.000.0001.000.5.5.0.02.0
Career 3523121.3.422.382.8502.21.6.4.09.9

Playoffs
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011 San Antonio 6018.5.370.2631.0003.0.8.2.27.7
2012 San Antonio 14015.5.476.444.8461.31.4.1.07.5
2013 San Antonio 21018.6.385.3481.0002.1.7.1.06.8
2014 Charlotte 4026.0.353.222.7142.01.0.0.011.3
Career 41017.5.411.364.9442.01.0.1.07.2

References
  1. Lambrecht, Gary (November 26, 2005). "Neal expected to join Towson". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 10, 2010.
  2. Katz, Andy (August 23, 2004). "Maine coach to replace Hahn". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  3. Outside the Lines, ESPN, February 20, 2011
  4. "NEAL, GARY". EuroLeague.net. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  5. "NEAL, GARY - 2007–2008 Stats". EuroLeague.net. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  6. "2008-09 All-Eurocup first, second teams announced". EurocupBasketball.com. March 27, 2009. Archived from the original on January 19, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  7. "El Unicaja contrata al escolta Gary Neal hasta final de temporada". Marca.com (in Spanish). April 6, 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  8. "Historial estadístico Neal, Gary". ACB.com (in Spanish). Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  9. "Spurs Sign Gary Neal". NBA.com. July 22, 2010. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  10. "Gary Neal career stats". NBA.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  11. NBA (April 27, 2011). "Gary Neal Forces OT at the Buzzer". YouTube.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  12. "Gary Neal's buzzer-beating 3-pointer gives Spurs chance to win in OT". ESPN.com. April 28, 2011. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  13. "Grizzlies hold on, win series 4–2 to stun top-seeded Spurs". ESPN.com. April 29, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
  14. "Box Score: Grizzlies 99, Spurs 91". ESPN.com. April 29, 2011. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
  15. "Spurs Assign Guard Gary Neal to NBA D-League Affiliate Austin Toros". NBA.com. January 2, 2012. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  16. "Spurs Recall Gary Neal from Austin Toros". NBA.com. January 3, 2012. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  17. Rieken, Kristie (December 11, 2012). "Neal, Parker lead Spurs over Rockets in OT 134-126". NBA.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2017. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  18. Mahoney, Brian (June 12, 2013). "Spurs rout Heat 113-77 in Game 3 of NBA Finals". NBA.com. Archived from the original on June 14, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  19. Swanson, Mirjam (October 10, 2020). "Miami Heat's Duncan Robinson made the most of his openings in Game 5". The Orange County Register. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  20. "Bucks Sign Free Agent Guard Gary Neal". NBA.com. July 30, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  21. "Bobcats Acquire Neal, Ridnour from Bucks in Exchange for Sessions, Adrien". NBA.com. February 20, 2014. Archived from the original on March 4, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  22. Stuckenborg, Phil (December 13, 2014). "Grizzlies outlast Hornets 113-107 in 2 OTs". NBA.com. Archived from the original on February 5, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  23. "MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES ACQUIRE GARY NEAL AND SECOND-ROUND DRAFT PICK FROM CHARLOTTE". NBA.com. February 10, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  24. "WIZARDS SIGN Gary Neal". MonumentalNetwork.com. July 9, 2015. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  25. "Wizards sign Marcus Thornton, waive Gary Neal". ESPN.com. March 9, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  26. Hatch, Katie (December 16, 2016). "Westchester Knicks Acquire Gary Neal". NBA.com. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  27. "Long Island Defeats Westchester At Home". NBA.com. December 26, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  28. "Legends Acquire Gary Neal". NBA.com. January 2, 2017. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  29. "TEX vs SXF". NBA.com. January 6, 2017. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  30. "Atlanta Hawks Sign Gary Neal To 10-Day Contact". NBA.com. January 18, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  31. "NBA D-League Transactions". NBA.com. Archived from the original on February 9, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  32. "Bighorns acquire Gary Neal". Reno Gazette Journal. January 30, 2017. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  33. "Gary Neal signs with Zaragoza". Sportando.com. September 23, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  34. "Gary Neal, MVP Movistar de Noviembre". www.acb.com (in Spanish). November 21, 2017. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  35. "Luka Doncic, MVP Movistar de la Liga Endesa 2017-18". ACB.com (in Spanish). May 24, 2018. Archived from the original on June 27, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  36. "Banvit, ABD'li oyuncu Gary Neal ile anlaştı" (in Turkish). Hürriyet. December 14, 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  37. "Neal Returns Home". towsontigers.com. August 26, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  38. "Gary Neal". Towson University Athletics. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  39. "Gary Neal '02 Named Head Varsity Basketball Coach at Calvert Hall". June 8, 2021.
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