Eric Bledsoe
Eric Bledsoe (born October 23, 1991 in Birmingham) is a basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers. He was picked by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the eighteenth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.
College Basketball
Bledsoe signed with the Kentucy Wildcats after spending his senior year at Parker High School. His academic eligibility during his college basketball career at Kentucky is currently under investigation by the NCAA. Bledsoe had previously attended Hayes High School, which closed after his junior year. The investigation stems around rent payments made on a house Bledsoe and his mother rented so he would be eligible to play at Parker, which were allegedly paid for by Parker coach Maurice Ford. Bledsoe's grades, which significantly improved with his move to Parker, also are being investigated. The allegations have been denied, and a family member and a family friend have come forward stating that they helped the Bledsoes pay the rent on the house located on Center Street South.
Professional basketball
On April 7, 2010, Bledsoe announced that he would forgo his final three seasons of collegiate eligibility and enter the 2010 NBA Draft. Bledsoe, who is touted for his quickness, ball handling ability, and most recently his ability to hit the long ball, was a mid-first round pick in the draft as the 18th pick overall for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was traded by the Thunder to the Los Angeles Clippers.
External links
References
- Sims, Bob (May 20, 2009) "Parker's Maurice Ford questions whether John Wall-to-Kentucky is good for his star player, Eric Bledsoe." Birmingham News
- Melick, Ray (March 6, 2010) "Kentucky's "Senior Day" dilemma is one the rest of the SEC should be so lucky to have" Birmingham News
- Thamel, Pete and Thayer Evans (May 28, 2010) "N.C.A.A. is looking into former Kentucky player". New York Times
- May 29,2010 Report: NCAA investigating Bledsoe. ESPN.com
- Solomon, Jon (July 7, 2010) "Eric Bledsoe relative, friend say they paid rent, not prep coach." Birmingham News