Gilas Profiles : Andray Maurice Blatche

photo source usatoday.com

Andray Maurice Blatche is set to play his second season as a naturalized Filipino citizen in FIBA Asia.

Andray grew up in Pioneer Holmes public housing project and spend his time playing basketball in Wilson Park and Kirk Park.

Blatche plays for the Henninger High School in Syracuse, New York for four years and in South Kent School in South Kent, Connecticut to increase his grades. He averages 27.5 PPG, 16 RPG, and 16 BPG in South Kent as they finished with a 32-9 record. He was listed as the number four top player, nationally in 2005.

He then declared that he will be joining the 2005 NBA draft. He was projected to be drafted in the first round but ended up being a second round, 49th overall draft pick by the Washington Wizards.

Shortly after being drafted, he was reported to be shot in a carjacking incident that caused him to miss the Wizards training camp. He managed to recover and play his first season professionally with the Washington Wizards and the Roanoke Dazzle of the NBA Development League.

On his second year, due to his continued improvement and also due to the injuries of Wizards centers Etan Thomas and Michael Ruffin Blatche was inserted to the lineup.

In the next season, Andray Blatche resigned with the Washington Wizards to a multiyear deal, and due to Etan Thomas career ending heart condition, his minutes were increased and he played every game in the season.

In January 2010, Andray Blatche was fined $10K by the Washington Wizards because of the photograph mimicking of Gilber Arenas gunplay before the start of their game.

He scored his career high (36 points) on February 28, 2010 where they won against the New Jersey Nets 89-85. During that year he continued to be the starting center for the Washington Wizards and he also signed a veteran extension with the Wizards.

But in the middle of the 2011 - 2012 season, the Washington Wizards decided to bench Andray Blatche due to his lack of conditioning. It started the downside of Andray's relationship with the Wizards. He accused the Wizards of trying to ruin his career and saying bad thing about him.

Due to the turmoil with the Wizards, Washington decided to let go and use Andray as an amnesty to free up space in the salary cap.

In September 2012, the Brooklyn Nets signed Andray Blatche. He made his presence when Brook Lopez got injured.

In the 2012-13 NBA season, Andray Blatche played all of the 82 regular season games for the Brooklyn Nets averaging 10.3 PPG, and %.1 RPG.

In January 2014, the Gilas Pilipinas asked Andray Blatche to take part as a naturalize player to play for the 2014 FIBA World Cup,

In June 2014, Andray Blatche opted out of his contract for the Brooklyn Nets.

In August 2014 Philippine FIBA Basketball World Cup squad. In five games that he played for the Gilas Pilipinas, he averages 21.2 PPG, 13.8RPG, and 1.6SPG. He also helped the Philippines to get their first win in 40 years in a FIBA World Cup with his 18 points and 14 rebounds, as they defeated Senegal 81-79.

On September 2014, Blatche signed $2.5M contract with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers of the CBA. In his 38 games with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers he averages 31.1 PPG, 14.6 RPG, 5.1 APG, and 2.8 SPG.

In March 2015, Blatche signed another contract with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers for 3 years’ worth $7.5M.

Andray Maurice Blatche CBA Highlights

video source https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiigSnwswC0JPYgaYdHS8Ow (HDXposure)