LaMarcus Aldridge

LaMarcus Aldridge
Position	Power forward
Height	6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Weight	235 lb (107 kg)
Team	Portland Trail Blazers
Nationality	United States
Born	July 19, 1985 Dallas, Texas
High school	Seagoville High School, Seagoville, Texas
College	Texas
Draft	2nd overall, 2006 Chicago Bulls
Pro career	2006 – present

LaMarcus Nurae Aldridge (born July 19, 1985, in Dallas, Texas) is an American professional basketball player. He is a 6'11" (2.11 m) power forward.

[edit] Playing career

Aldridge attended Seagoville High School prior to attending the University of Texas at Austin. On April 11, 2006, Aldridge announced that he would leave the University of Texas to enter the 2006 NBA Draft.

Aldridge was drafted 2nd overall in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls, only to have his draft rights traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for their pick, Tyrus Thomas, shortly after. The Bulls acquired the pick from the New York Knicks in the 2005 Eddy Curry trade.

According to one report, Aldridge (who was seriously considering bypassing college for the pro ranks directly) was advised by Shaquille O'Neal to attend college, on the grounds that not only would his game improve, but that he would also have a lot of fun in the process. [1]