Philly Alumni Update: Iverson, Nelson, etc

How Are They Doing? Philly Sports Figures Who Have Moved On

Allen Iverson: In the first blockbuster NBA trade of the season, back in November, Iverson was traded to the Pistons from the Nuggets for Chauncey Billups. Overall the Pistons are in second place in the Eastern Conference's Central Division with a record of 23-17. Iverson has played in 36 of those games and Detroit is two games over .500 in that span with AI averaging 18 ppg. Billups is averaging 19 ppg and Denver is in first place in their division with a 27-15 record. There is little dispute that Denver is better off.

Matt Carroll: The Hatboro-Horsham and Notre Dame alumnus played for the Charlotte Bobcats for the last 4 years with a reputation as a proficient three-point shooter. This year he was only averaging 4 ppg and was recently traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Matt's younger brother Pat, a St Joe's star also via Hatboro-Horsham, was unable to latch on to an NBA team and has been playing pro ball in France and Spain the last two seasons.

St. Joe's Jameer Nelson was already having a breakout year in this, his 5th season with the Orlando Magic, but recently he has elevated his game to an even higher level. The Magic beat the Lakers on Friday night with Nelson scoring 28 pts including 15 in the fourth quarter. In the next game, against Denver, Jameer scored 21 pts in the first half, making it three straight games over 20.

Nelson's running mate at St. Joe's, Delonte West, was having his best season, as a shooting guard for the Cavaliers, averaging 12 ppg. However, on January 15, he sustained a fracture of his right wrist and he is expected to be out for about 6 weeks.

The successful Villanova basketball teams of 2004-06 were guard-oriented, led by Randy Foye. Allan Ray, Kyle Lowry and Mike Nardi. Foye is another former Big 5 guard who is having a breakout season in the NBA. He is averaging 16 pts and 5 assists for the rejuvenated Minnesota Timberwolves. Ray played one season with the Celtics and is currently playing professionally in Italy. Lowry is in his third year with the Memphis Grizzlies although he lost almost his entire first year due to injury. This season he is averaging 8 pts and 4 assists off the bench. Nardi, like Ray, is playing in one of the Italian professional leagues.