Travis Diener
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Position | Point guard |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Weight | 175 lb (80 kg) |
| Team | Orlando Magic |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Born | March 1, 1982 Fond du Lac, Wisconsin |
| College | Marquette |
| Draft | 2nd round, 38th overall, 2005 |
| Pro career | 2005 – present |
Travis Lyle Diener (born March 1, 1982 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin) is an American professional basketball player in the NBA. Following a successful college career at Marquette University, he was a second round draft choice (38th overall) of the Orlando Magic in the 2005 NBA Draft. His selection mystified some critics, who argued that the Magic were overloading on point guards, already having Steve Francis and Jameer Nelson on their roster. Diener made his NBA debut on December 2, 2005, playing 12 minutes and scoring three points in a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. On December 3, 2005, Travis made his "hometown" debut in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (about 60 miles from his actual home town of Fond du Lac), where he played more than 22 minutes and scored 14 points, including 4-4 shooting from three-point range, but the Orlando Magic lost the game to the Milwaukee Bucks by a final score of 104-84.
In the 2006 Pepsi Pro Summer League, Diener averaged 20.3 points, 6.5 assists, and 1.0 turnovers per game. Diener finished with a 34 point outburst on 7-10 three point shooting to lead the Magic over the Chicago Bulls, before missing the final game with a slight foot injury.
On December 14, 2006, Diener scored a career high 16 points on 5-6 field goal shooting, including 3-4 shooting from behind the three point line and 3-3 shooting from the free throw line. He also played a career high 26 minutes in the nationally televised game.
Both Travis Diener and his cousin Drake Diener engendered some criticism due to the fact they were home-schooled for one year following eighth grade. Critics alleged they were held back in order to give an age advantage in high school sports.[1]
[edit] Trivia
- High school basketball coach was uncle Dick Diener.
- Sister Brittney plays basketball for Lewis University.
- Sister Rachel plays basketball for Saint Louis University.
- Cousin Drake played basketball for DePaul University and currently plays professionally for Castelletto Ticino in Italy.
- Cousin Drew played basketball for Saint Louis University and is currently the director of basketball operations at the University of Virginia.
- Cousin Derek played basketball and handball at West Point.
- Prominent player on Marquette University's team in the NCAA men's basketball tournament in 2003, which reached the NCAA Tournament Final Four.
- College teammate was NBA star Dwyane Wade.
- Ranked first in three-point field goal percentage at one point during the 2005-06 NBA season.
- USAToday Honorable Mention: 2000 All-America High School Baseball as pitcher and shortstop.
