Ish Wainright

Last updated

Ish Wainright
Ishmail Wainright, Wizards vs Raptors on October 12, 2021 (cropped).jpg
Wainright with the Toronto Raptors in the 2021 preseason
No. 12–Phoenix Suns
Position Power forward / small forward
League NBA
Personal information
Born (1994-09-12) September 12, 1994 (age 29)
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
NationalityAmerican / Ugandan
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High school
College Baylor (2013–2017)
NBA draft 2017: undrafted
Playing career2018–present
Career history
2018–2019 Nürnberg Falcons
2019–2020 Rasta Vechta
2020–2021 SIG Strasbourg
2021–2023 Phoenix Suns
2023–2024 Portland Trail Blazers
2023 →Rip City Remix
2024–presentPhoenix Suns
2024–present→Valley Suns
Career highlights and awards
  • Big 12 All-Defensive Team (2017)
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at Basketball-Reference.com

Ishmail Carzell Wainright (born September 12, 1994) is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Valley Suns of the NBA G League. He also represents the senior Ugandan national team. He played college basketball for the Baylor Bears, as well as played football as a tight end. Wainright is the grandson of former NBA player Maurice King.

Contents

High school career

Wainright played two seasons for head coach Stu Vetter at Montrose Christian School in Rockville, Maryland, helping the team to 19–5 record as senior in 2012–13. He earned 2013 All-MET honors after averaging 8.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 8.2 assists for Mustangs. He began his prep career at Raytown South High School in suburban Kansas City, where he averaged 13.6 points and 9.8 rebounds as a sophomore in 2010–11. A consensus top-75 recruit, he was ranked No. 28 in 2013 class by ESPN.com, [1] No. 51 by Scout.com, No. 52 by Rivals.com, and No. 62 by 247Sports.com.

College career

Wainright played four seasons of basketball for the Baylor Bears. He averaged 5.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game as a junior. [2] As a senior, Wainright averaged 5.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game. He was named to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team. He played one season of football after his basketball career, playing tight end. Wainright had four catches for 34 yards and two touchdowns. [3]

After finishing his career at Baylor, Wainright joined the Buffalo Bills of the NFL as an undrafted free agent, but he did not make the final roster. [4] [5]

Professional career

Nürnberg Falcons (2018–2019)

Wainright returned to basketball and signed with Nürnberg Falcons BC on September 3, 2018. [6] He averaged 12.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.

Rasta Vechta (2019–2020)

On July 2, 2019, Wainright signed with Rasta Vechta. [7] Wainright averaged 10.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assist and 1.8 steals per game.

SIG Strasbourg (2020–2021)

On June 17, 2020, he signed with SIG Strasbourg. [8]

Phoenix Suns (2021–2023)

On August 7, 2021, Wainright signed a two-year, non-guaranteed deal with the Toronto Raptors, [9] but was waived by the Raptors on October 17. [10] Five days later, he signed a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns. [11] Wainright later made his NBA debut on November 19 near the end of a win against the Dallas Mavericks, with him recording his first official points, rebounds, and assist two days later in a blowout win over the Denver Nuggets. On January 30, 2022, Wainright scored a then-season-high 10 points and put up two blocks in 20 minutes of action (including the entirety of the fourth quarter) in a 115–110 win over the San Antonio Spurs. [12] On April 6, he surpassed his season bests with career highs of 20 points and 8 rebounds in a close loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. [13] On April 10, the Suns converted his deal into a standard contract. [14]

Wainright joined the Suns' 2022 NBA Summer League roster. [15] On August 4, 2022, Wainright signed a two-way contract with the Suns. [16] After dealing with lower back pain and then the death of his father, pastor Calvin Wainright, Ishmail Wainright returned to action with the Suns on November 16, hitting a three-pointer in a 130–119 win over the defending champion Golden State Warriors.

On February 24, 2023, Wainwright signed a two-year, $2.5 million deal with the Suns, including a team option for the 2023–24 season. Wainwright previously operated under a two-way contract and was nearing the 50-game limit. [17] On March 5 against the Dallas Mavericks, coach Monty Williams made a decision late in the third quarter to substitute starter Josh Okogie, who had missed all of his eight three-point attempts, with Wainright. Although he had not played in the game up until that point, Wainwright made a significant impact, hitting four of his five three-point attempts, helping the Suns secure a 130–126 victory. [18]

On October 19, 2023, Wainwright was waived shortly before the 2023–24 season. [19]

Portland Trail Blazers (2023–2024)

On October 21, 2023, Wainwright was claimed off waivers by the Portland Trail Blazers. [20] Wainright made his debut with the Trail Blazers on November 14 in a loss to the Utah Jazz during the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament. On January 6, 2024, he was waived by Portland. [21]

Return to Phoenix (2024–present)

On March 4, 2024, Wainwright returned to the Phoenix Suns on a two-way contract. [22]

National team career

Wainright plays for the Uganda men's national basketball team. As an American born in Kansas City, Missouri, he was convinced by Uganda coaches George Galanopoulous and Mike Schmitz to become a naturalized Ugandan to help build the team and increase employment opportunities. [23] Wainright scored 36 points and collected 13 rebounds in his national team debut in a win over Cape Verde in November 2020. [24] He was on the roster during AfroBasket 2021. [25]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames 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

NBA

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2021–22 Phoenix 4508.0.394.322.5831.2.3.4.12.4
2022–23 Phoenix 60215.3.370.329.8392.3.9.6.44.2
2023–24 Portland 706.6.333.3751.0001.3.0.3.12.9
Phoenix 404.1.167.250—1.3.3.5.0.8
Career116211.5.372.329.7781.8.6.5.33.3

Playoffs

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2022 Phoenix 703.8.417.500—1.6.1.1.11.9
2023 Phoenix 603.5.250.250—.2.0.0.2.5
Career1303.6.375.400—.9.1.1.21.2

Personal life

Wainright's father, Calvin Wainright, was born under his mother Marvine Wainright and raised by Marvine and her husband Alvin Joe, while his biological father was former NBA player Maurice King, making him a half-sibling to King's other siblings. During Calvin's adult life, up until his death on October 31, 2022, he was a pastor and youth basketball coach in Kansas City, Missouri. [26] [27] [28] In 2020, he received the Kansas City People's Choice Awards Humanitarian Award for his work in the city. [27] [29] Ish learned who his grandfather from his mother's side of the family was while he was playing for Baylor, which he honored in a match against Kansas University by going under the name of Ishmail King-Wainright throughout the game. [30]

Wainright also has a younger brother named Amaad that also previously played college basketball. Amaad played basketball collegiately at Trinity Valley Community College in the NJCAA, Kansas State University in the NCAA, and Louisiana State University Shreveport in the NAIA. During his only season in Kansas State, Amaad and the Wildcats made it to the 2018 NCAA tournament, going as far as the Elite 8 in their tournament run that season. [31]

Wainright is also the cousin of current Grand Canyon basketball player Tyon Grant-Foster, who went to Grand Canyon University after a recommendation from Wainright and a relationship from Baylor with Grand Canyon's coach, Bryce Drew. [32] Grant-Foster previously played for Indian Hills Community College in the NJCAA, the University of Kansas, and DePaul University before a health scare in a season opener during his only game with DePaul against Coppin State University had him risk not playing basketball altogether at one point. During his only season at Grand Canyon, Grant-Foster would win the WAC Player of the Year award and reach the All-WAC First Team in 2024, [33] as well as lead the university to their first ever victory in the NCAA tournament by defeating St. Mary's College.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Lucas III</span> American basketball player (born 1982)

John Harding Lucas III is an American professional basketball coach and former player who recently served as an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for Baylor and Oklahoma State.

Maurice E. King was an American professional basketball player who played for the NBA champion Boston Celtics in the 1959–60 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aron Baynes</span> Australian basketball player (born 1986)

Aron John Baynes is an Australian professional basketball player who last played for the Brisbane Bullets of the National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball for Washington State University before starting his professional career in Europe. In 2013, he joined the San Antonio Spurs, and a year later, won an NBA championship with the Spurs. He has also played with the Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, and Toronto Raptors. Baynes also plays for the Australian national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ish Smith</span> American basketball player (born 1988)

Ishmael Larry "Ish" Smith is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Smith holds the record of playing for the most NBA franchises, at 13. He won an NBA championship with the Nuggets in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Axel Toupane</span> French basketball player (born 1992)

Axel Toupane is French professional basketball player for Metropolitans 92 of the French LNB Pro A. Toupane also represents the senior French national team in international events. At 2.01 m (6'7") tall and 101 kg (223 lbs.), he plays at the shooting guard and small forward positions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Bennett (basketball)</span> Canadian basketball player (born 1993)

Anthony Harris Bennett is a Canadian professional basketball player who is currently a free agent. He played college basketball for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) for one year. He was the first overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, becoming the first Canadian to be drafted number one overall. He played only four seasons in the NBA, averaging 4.4 points, and is often considered the worst number-one pick in league history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quincy Acy</span> American basketball player (born 1990)

Quincy Jyrome Acy is an American basketball coach and former professional player who is an assistant coach for the Wichita State Shockers of the American Athletic Conference (AAC). He played college basketball for the Baylor Bears. Acy played seven seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns. He also played in the NBA Development League and overseas in China, Israel and Greece.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lorenzo Brown</span> American-Spanish basketball player

Lorenzo Dontez Brown is an American-born naturalized Spanish professional basketball player for Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League and the EuroLeague. Brown played several seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and played college basketball for the NC State Wolfpack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montrezl Harrell</span> American basketball player (born 1994)

Montrezl Dashay Harrell ( mon-TREZHARR-əl; is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association. He played college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals, where he received the Karl Malone Award in 2015 as a junior, being the top power forward in the nation. Harrell was selected in the second round of the 2015 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets, and was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2017, where he was named NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Jackson (basketball, born 1995)</span> American basketball player

Justin Aaron Jackson is an American professional basketball player for the Texas Legends of the NBA G League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isaiah Taylor</span> American basketball player

Isaiah Shaquille Taylor is an American professional basketball player for the Shanxi Loongs of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He has previously played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks, and three seasons of college basketball for the Texas Longhorns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derek Cooke</span> American basketball player

Derek Cooke Jr. is an American professional basketball player for Dolomiti Energia Trento of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA). He played three years of Division I college basketball for Wyoming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeAndre' Bembry</span> American basketball player (born 1994)

DeAndre' Pierre' Bembry is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for Saint Joseph's University. He was named Atlantic 10 Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year in 2016, becoming the first Hawk to receive the honor since Ahmad Nivins in 2009. He was also named first-team All-Atlantic 10 for the second year in a row and was named to the All-Defensive Team. He was drafted 21st overall in the 2016 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks. He has also played for the Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, and the Milwaukee Bucks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Boucher (basketball)</span> Canadian-Saint Lucian basketball player

Christopher Boucher is a Canadian-Saint Lucian professional basketball player who plays for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born in Saint Lucia, he played college basketball for the Oregon Ducks.

Paul Watson Jr. is an American professional basketball player the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Fresno State Bulldogs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freddie Gillespie</span> American basketball player

Frederick Gillespie is an American professional basketball player for Crvena zvezda of the Serbian KLS, the Adriatic League and the EuroLeague. He played college basketball for the Carleton Knights and the Baylor Bears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saben Lee</span> American basketball player (born 1999)

Saben Anthonia Lee is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Valley Suns of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Vanderbilt Commodores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Vital</span> American football player (born 1997)

Mark Vital Jr. is an American football tight end and basketball guard for the Ángeles de la Ciudad de México of the Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacífico (CIBACOPA). He played college basketball at Baylor University before transitioning shortly after winning a National Championship during his basketball career at Baylor University and playing in the NBA Summer League with the Portland Trail Blazers to pursue a career in the NFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Champagnie</span> American basketball player

Justin John Champagnie is an American professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Capital City Go-Go of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Pittsburgh Panthers.

The 2021–22 Phoenix Suns season was their 54th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as well as their 29th season at the currently named Footprint Center, their first full season under that name after taking over the naming rights to the previously named Phoenix Suns Arena on July 16, 2021, during the 2021 NBA Finals.

References

  1. ↑ "ESPN Recruiting BB". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Another talented Baylor team after another early NCAA exit". USA Today . Associated Press. October 26, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  3. ↑ Irving, Kyle (August 13, 2021). "Who is Ishmail Wainright? Fast facts on Toronto Raptors' latest reported signing". sportingnews.com. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  4. ↑ Zucker, Joseph (April 30, 2018). "Former Baylor Basketball Player Ishmail Wainright Signs Bills Contract". BleacherReport.com. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Report: Raptors sign Wainwright to two-year deal - TSN.ca". TSN.ca. August 5, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Ishmail Wainright verstärkt Kader der Nürnberg Falcons". n-bc.de (in German). September 3, 2018. Archived from the original on August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  7. ↑ Carchia, Emiliano (July 2, 2019). "Rasta Vechta signs Steve Vasturia and Ishmail Wainright". Sportando. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  8. ↑ Skerletic, Dario (June 17, 2020). "Ishmail Wainright joins SIG Strasbourg". Sportando. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  9. ↑ Loung, Steven [@loung_s] (August 8, 2021). "The Raptors have made the signings of Justin Champagnie and Ishmail Wainright official. https://t.co/heQpomYNQn" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 11, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2023– via Twitter.
  10. ↑ Toronto Raptors [@Raptors] (October 17, 2021). "Official: We've waived forward Ish Wainright https://t.co/hWw8G9zqTk" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 13, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2023– via Twitter.
  11. ↑ Harvey, Sam (October 22, 2021). "SUNS SIGN ISH WAINRIGHT". NBA.com. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  12. ↑ Solomon, Ariebi (January 31, 2022). "NBA: Ishmail Wainwright's career-high 10 points helps Phoenix Suns rally past San Antonio Spurs". UgSports.net. Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Suns vs Clippers, April 6, 2022". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  14. ↑ Phoenix Suns [@Suns] (April 10, 2022). "Official: Suns have converted the two-way contract of Ish Wainright into a standard NBA contract. https://t.co/BJUnWbGvkQ" (Tweet). Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2023– via Twitter.
  15. ↑ "Phoenix Suns 2022 NBA2K23 Summer League Roster | NBA.com". NBA.com. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  16. ↑ Phoenix Suns [@Suns] (August 4, 2022). "Pen to paper ✍️ https://t.co/wRNr5uVSef" (Tweet). Retrieved February 10, 2023– via Twitter.
  17. ↑ "Suns' Ish Wainright: Inks new deal with Phoenix". CBSSports.com. February 25, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  18. ↑ Haller, Doug; Cato, Tim (March 5, 2023). "Kevin Durant hits game winner, drops 37 points as Suns edge Mavericks on road". TheAthletic.com. The Athletic. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Suns waive Ish Wainright as roster cap deadline looms". ArizonaSports.com. October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Trail Blazers Claim Ish Wainright Off Waivers". NBA.com. October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Trail Blazers Waive Skylar Mays and Ish Wainright". NBA.com. January 6, 2024. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  22. ↑ "SUNS SIGN FORWARD ISH WAINRIGHT". NBA.com. March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  23. ↑ Murphy, Blake (August 30, 2021). "Raptors' Ishmail Wainright is a walking culture-builder: 'Everyone wants to cheer for a guy like that'". The Athletic. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  24. ↑ Ndyamuhaki, Emanzi (August 7, 2021). "What next for Wainright with the Silverbacks?". Daily Monitor. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  25. ↑ "Uganda at the FIBA AfroBasket 2021". FIBA.basketball.
  26. ↑ Wainright, Ish [@Wainright24] (November 13, 2022). "Everyone's thoughtful words of condolence have acted as a source of strength for me during this difficult time, and I am grateful for you all. I am going to miss my Popz, my OG, my Superman, my Twin , and now my Guardian Angel. I love you and I miss you CCW 💙🕊️ https://t.co/ZGKuJsK6zm" (Tweet). Retrieved February 10, 2023– via Twitter.
  27. 1 2 Medina, David; Kaut, Steve (October 31, 2022). "Beloved Kansas City basketball coach Calvin Wainright dies". kshb.com. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Obituary for Pastor Calvin C. Wainright | Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapels".
  29. ↑ The Mayor of Kansas City, Mo [@RayThaJerk] (August 6, 2020). "From Calvin Wainright- The 2nd Annual Kansas City People's Choice Awards Humanitarian Award recipient. Well deserved coach thank you @KCPCAwards https://t.co/q4LEYEbY9W" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023– via Twitter.
  30. ↑ https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2017-02-01/baylor-basketball-ishmail-wainright-honors-late-grandfather
  31. ↑ Murphy, Blake (August 30, 2021). "Raptors' Ishmail Wainright is a walking culture-builder: 'Everyone wants to cheer for a guy like that'". The Athletic. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  32. ↑ Marshall, John (December 24, 2023). "Grand Canyon's Tyon Grant-Foster is thriving despite a pair of near-death experiences". apnews.com. Associated Press . Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  33. ↑ https://arizonasports.com/story/3544297/grand-canyons-tyon-grant-foster-named-wac-player-of-the-year/
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.