Walt Lemon Jr. Explained

Walt Lemon Jr.
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lb:180
League:Qatari Basketball League
Team:Al-Arabi
Position:Point guard
Nationality:American
Birth Date:1992 7, mf=yes
Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois
High School:Julian (Chicago, Illinois)
College:Bradley (2010–2014)
Draft Year:2014
Career Start:2014
Years1:2014
Team1:EGIS Körmend
Years2:2015
Team2:Crailsheim Merlins
Years3:2015–2016
Team3:Fort Wayne Mad Ants
Years4:2016–2017
Team4:Istanbulspor Beylikduzu
Years5:2017
Team5:Rethymno Cretan Kings
Years6:2017–2018
Team6:Fort Wayne Mad Ants
Team7:New Orleans Pelicans
Years8:2018
Team8:Maine Red Claws
Years9:2018–2019
Team9:Windy City Bulls
Team10:Chicago Bulls
Years11:2019–2020
Team11:Fort Wayne Mad Ants
Years12:2020–2021
Team12:Hapoel Tel Aviv
Years13:2021
Team13:Ezzahra Sports
Years14:2021–2022
Team14:Fort Wayne Mad Ants
Years15:2022–2023
Team15:Club Africain
Years16:2023-2024
Team16:Mineros de Zacatecas
Highlights:
  • Qatari Cup winner (2024)
  • Third-team All NBA G League (2018)
  • 2× Second-team All-MVC (2013, 2014)
  • 2× MVC All-Defensive Team (2013, 2014)
  • 2× MVC Most-Improved Team (2012, 2013)
Bbr:lemonwa01
Years17:2024–present
Team17:Al-Arabi

Walter Lemon Jr. (born July 26, 1992) is an American professional basketball player who last played for Mineros de Zacatecas of Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP). He played college basketball for four years with the Bradley Braves.[1]

High school career

Lemon attended Julian High School where he averaged 19 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals per game as a senior, earning him a third-team 3A all-state pick by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association and a second-team All-Chicago Public League.[2] [3] [4]

College career

After graduating, Lemon went to Bradley where he averaged 18 points and 3 rebounds as a senior. When he graduated he ranked among Bradley's all-time top 10 in career points (1721, 7th), assists (367, 10th) and steals (222, 3rd) and had several awards, including the MVC Men's Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2014, Bradley's first player ever to win the award.

Professional career

Körmend (2014)

After going undrafted in the 2014 NBA draft, Lemon joined the Golden State Warriors for the 2015 NBA Summer League. On September 10, 2014, he signed with Hungarian team EGIS Körmend for the 2014–15 season.[5] On December 23, 2014, he parted ways with the club after appearing in 12 league games.[6]

Crailsheim Merlins (2015)

On February 6, 2015, he signed with the Crailsheim Merlins of Germany for the rest of the season.[7] In eight games for the Merlins, he averaged 6.4 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.

Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2015–2016)

On October 31, 2015, Lemon was selected by the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the second round of the 2015 NBA Development League Draft.[8]

İstanbulspor Beylikdüzü (2016)

On July 15, 2016, Lemon signed with İstanbulspor Beylikdüzü of the TBL.[9]

Rethymno Cretan Kings (2017)

On February 20, 2017, Lemon Jr. signed with the Greek team Rethymno Cretan Kings.[10]

Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2017–2018)

On November 2, 2017, Lemon was included in the opening night roster for Fort Wayne Mad Ants.[11] Lemon was later named G League Player of the Month for November.[12]

New Orleans Pelicans (2018)

On February 21, 2018, the New Orleans Pelicans signed Lemon to a 10-day contract.[13] He made his NBA debut two days later in a 124–123 overtime win over the Miami Heat, playing in four minutes that night. Lemon signed his second 10-day contract on March 4. After the expiration of his second 10-day contract, Lemon returned to Fort Wayne.[14]

Maine Red Claws (2018)

On July 25, Lemon signed a two-way contract with the Boston Celtics. During this time, he was expected to split his playing time between the Celtics and their NBA G League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws. On November 29, 2018, Lemon was waived by the Celtics without appearing in a game for the parent club.[15]

Windy City Bulls (2018–2019)

On December 8, 2018, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants announced that they had acquired the right of Alex Hamilton and a first round pick in the 2019 NBA G League draft from the Windy City Bulls in exchange for the right to Lemon.[16]

On January 16, 2019, Lemon was suspended for one game without pay and fined for directing inappropriate language toward a game official.[17]

Chicago Bulls (2019)

On March 29, 2019, the Chicago Bulls announced that they had signed Lemon.[18] On March 30, 2019, Lemon made his debut with the Bulls, scoring 19 points with 6 assists and four steals. In his third game in a Chicago Bulls uniform, in a game against the Wizards in Washington, D.C., on April 3, 2019, Lemon led all players with 24 points in a very efficient 11 of 16 from the floor while leading all players with eight assists. In the final minute of the game, Lemon hit one go ahead basket and afterwards a go-ahead free throw. On the other end of the floor Lemon played hard, tenacious defense to secure the victory for the Bulls, 115–114.

Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2019–2020)

On October 10, 2019, the Indiana Pacers announced that they had signed Lemon.[19] This comes after the release of 2x Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year JaKeenan Gant. Terms of the contract weren't released.[20] On October 16, 2019, Lemon was waived by the Indiana Pacers.[21] On October 26, 2019, Lemon was included in the training camp roster for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.[22] On November 6, 2019, Lemon was included in the opening night roster of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.[23] He averaged 20.3 points, 6.8 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game.[24]

Hapoel Tel Aviv (2020–2021)

On August 15, 2020, Lemon signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Premier League.[25] He averaged 10.6 points, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

Ezzahra Sports (2021)

On September 11, 2021, Lemon signed with Ezzahra Sports of the Championnat National A.[26]

Return to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2021–2022)

On December 30, 2021, Lemon signed with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G League,[27] averaging 12.3 points and 6.2 assists in 32 games.[28]

Ottawa BlackJacks (2022)

On May 2, 2022, Lemon signed with the Ottawa BlackJacks of the CEBL.

Club Africain (2022–2023)

Lemon signed with Club Africain in Tunisia in 2022.

Al-Arabi (2024–present)

In December 2023, Lemon signed with Al-Arabi of the Qatari Basketball League (QBL) for the remainder of the 2023–24 season in Qatar.[29] He guided Al-Arabi to their third Qatari Cup. He scored a game-high 24 points in the final against Al Ahli Doha.[30]

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans| 5 || 0 || 7.0 || .438 || 1.000 || .667 || .4 || 1.0 || .0 || .2 || 3.4|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Chicago| 6 || 3 || 27.8 || .437 || .400 || .727 || 4.5 || 5.0 || 1.8 || .2 || 14.3|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 11 || 3 || 18.4 || .437 || .500 || .714 || 2.6 || 3.2 || 1.0 || .2 || 9.4

College

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2010–11| style="text-align:left;"| Bradley| 31 || 5 || 20.0 || .419 || .324 || .660 || 2.4 || .9 || .9 || .4 || 6.4|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2011–12| style="text-align:left;"| Bradley| 32 || 25 || 30.7 || .471 || .345 || .667 || 3.1 || 2.5 || 1.3 || .5 || 12.6|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2012–13| style="text-align:left;"| Bradley| 35 || 34 || 34.3 || .451 || .330 || .761 || 4.2 || 3.8 || 2.1 || .4 || 15.6|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2013–14| style="text-align:left;"| Bradley| 32 || 31 || 35.5 || .424 || .290 || .746 || 3.1 || 3.9 || 2.4 || .1 || 18.0|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 130 || 95 || 30.3 || .442 || .321 || .719 || 3.2 || 2.8 || 1.7 || .3 || 13.2

Personal life

He is the son of Walter Sr. and Katrina Lemon and is one of three siblings. Earning a spot on the Bradley Athletic Director's Honor Roll three times, Lemon earned his bachelor's degree in psychology. Growing up in Chicago, he always wanted to be like Derrick Rose and it shows in his game with flashy passes and hard cuts to the hoop.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Walt Lemon, Jr. Player Profile . Basketball.realgm.com. April 11, 2015.
  2. Web site: Walt Lemon, Jr. bio. BradleyBraves.com. November 14, 2015.
  3. https://www.nba.com/bulls/gleague/walter-lemon-jr-looks-make-difference-windy-city-bulls-0 WALTER LEMON JR. LOOKS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH THE WINDY CITY BULLS - “IT’S BEEN ABOUT PLAYING TOGETHER, UNSELFISH BASKETBALL AND THAT HAS TO START WITH ME.” - WALTER LEMON JR.
  4. https://wgntv.com/2019/04/03/walter-lemon-jr-completes-memorable-day-by-helping-the-bulls-to-a-win/ WGN (Chicago) Walter Lemon Jr. completes memorable day by helping the Bulls to a win
  5. Web site: Walter Lemon jr signs with Kormend . Sportando.com . September 10, 2014 . April 11, 2015.
  6. Web site: Walter Lemon jr. leaves Kormend . Sportando.com . December 23, 2014 . April 11, 2015.
  7. Web site: Helmstetter . Klaus . Spiel gegen Trier: Merlins holen Walter Lemon Jr. an Bord . Swp.de . February 6, 2015 . April 11, 2015 . German.
  8. Web site: Mad Ants select: Lemon. JournalGazette.net. October 31, 2015. October 31, 2015.
  9. Web site: Walter Lemon Jr. is a newcomer at Istanbulspor. Eurobasket.com. July 15, 2016. September 24, 2016.
  10. News: Rethymno BC inks Walter Lemon jr. 20 February 2017. 20 February 2017.
  11. News: Mad Ants Announce 2017-18 Opening Night Roster. November 2, 2017. NBA.com. November 2, 2017.
  12. News: Walter Lemon Jr. Named G League Player of the Month. December 1, 2017. NBA.com. December 1, 2017.
  13. News: Pelicans sign Walter Lemon, Jr. to 10-day contract. February 21, 2018. NBA.com. February 21, 2018.
  14. News: Walt Lemon Jr. returns to Fort Wayne. March 23, 2018. NBA.com. March 15, 2018.
  15. Web site: We have waived guard Walt Lemon Jr. . Boston Celtics on Twitter . November 29, 2018 . November 29, 2018.
  16. News: Ryan. Stevens. Mad Ants Acquire Rights for Alex Hamilton and 2019 Draft Pick. December 8, 2018. NBA.com. December 8, 2018.
  17. Web site: Windy City's Lemon Jr. suspended and fined. October 11, 2021. NBA. 16 January 2019 .
  18. Web site: Bulls sign Walt Lemon Jr.. March 29, 2019. NBA.com. March 29, 2019.
  19. Web site: PACERS BRING BACK WALT LEMON JR.. October 10, 2019. SLAM.com. October 11, 2019.
  20. Web site: Indiana Pacers Make Handful Of Transactions To Prepare For Season. October 11, 2019. Forbes.com. October 11, 2019.
  21. Web site: Pacers Waive Three. October 16, 2019. NBA.com. October 16, 2019.
  22. Web site: Ryan. Stevens. Mad Ants draft two players, announce 2019 training camp roster. October 26, 2019. NBA.com. October 26, 2019.
  23. Web site: Ryan. Stevens. Mad Ants Finalize 2019-20 Opening Night Roster. November 6, 2019. NBA.com. November 6, 2019.
  24. News: Cohn . Justin . G League follows NBA: Halts season . July 15, 2020 . . March 13, 2020.
  25. News: Hapoel Tel Aviv signs Walter Lemon . Sportando . August 15, 2020 . August 15, 2020 . Carchia . Emiliano .
  26. News: Walt Lemon Jr signs with Ezzahra Sports . Sportando . September 11, 2021 . September 11, 2021 . Skerletic . Dario .
  27. Web site: 2021-22 NBA G League transactions. gleague.nba.com. December 30, 2021. December 30, 2021.
  28. Web site: BlackJacks Sign NBA Experienced Guard Walter Lemon Jr.. CEBL.com. May 2, 2022. May 2, 2022.
  29. Web site: 2023-12-17 . Former Bulls player Walt Lemon signed with Qatari team Al-Arabi SC for the remainder of the 2023-24 … . 2024-04-16 . HoopsHype . en-US.
  30. Web site: Asian Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings . 2024-04-16 . www.asia-basket.com.