Austin Rivers

Austin James Rivers (born August 1, 1992) is an American professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Rivers led Winter Park High School to back-to-back Florida 6A state championships in 2010 and 2011. He also played in the 2011 Nike Hoop Summit for the Team USA, and was a McDonald's All-American.

Austin Rivers
Rivers with the Clippers in 2017
No. 25 – Houston Rockets
PositionShooting guard / Point guard
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1992-08-01) August 1, 1992
Santa Monica, California
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High schoolWinter Park (Winter Park, Florida)
CollegeDuke (2011–2012)
NBA draft2012 / Round: 1 / Pick: 10th overall
Selected by the New Orleans Hornets
Playing career2012–present
Career history
2012–2015New Orleans Hornets / Pelicans
2015–2018Los Angeles Clippers
2018Washington Wizards
2018–presentHouston Rockets
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing the  United States
FIBA Americas U18 Championship
2010 San AntonioTeam

He was one of the top rated high school basketball players in the class of 2011, being rated as high as No. 1 by Rivals.com. On September 30, 2010, Rivers committed to Duke University. Rivers gained national recognition after making a game winning 3-pointer against Duke rival North Carolina in 2012. He was drafted with the 10th pick in the NBA draft by the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans), playing three seasons there before being traded to the Clippers. After three years with the Clippers, he was traded to the Wizards in June 2018. In December 2018, he joined the Rockets.

On January 16, 2015, Rivers became the first player in NBA history to play for his father, coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers.

High school career

In 2010, Rivers led Winter Park High School to the school's first state title in a 76–57 win against Dr. Phillips High School in the 6A state championship. Rivers scored 23 points in the game.[1] In June 2010, Rivers was a part of the gold medal winning team at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship where he set a Team USA record for an U18 event with 35 points against Canada.[2] On August 5, 2010, Rivers was named to the fifth annual Boost Mobile Elite 24 game,[3] where he was named co-MVP after he had 25 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.[4]

On September 30, 2010, Rivers committed to Duke University. His commitment was widely covered by ESPN and various other sports networks given his status as the Class of 2011's top recruit.[5] He officially signed with the program on November 16, 2010.[6]

On March 5, 2011, Rivers led Winter Park to back to back Florida 6A state championships with a 52–44 victory over Dr. Phillips High School, in which he had 25 points, 11 rebounds and 4 steals.[7] Rivers was named the 2011 Naismith Prep Player of the Year on March 10, 2011.[8] He was also an All-American and All-State honoree, and played in the 2011 Nike Hoop Summit for Team USA.

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Austin Rivers
SG[9]		 Winter Park, Florida Winter Park High 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Sep 30, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: 98
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 1 (SG); 3 (national); 2 (school)   Rivals: 1 (SG); 1 (national)  ESPN: 3 (national)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2011 Duke Basketball Commitment List". Rivals.com. Archived from the original on February 28, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  • "2011 Duke College Basketball Team Recruiting Prospects". Scout.com. Archived from the original on February 28, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  • "Duke Blue Devils 2011 Player Commits". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on February 28, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  • "2011 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 28, 2017.

    College career
    Rivers with Duke in 2011

    As a freshman, Rivers played in Duke's exhibition games in China and Dubai during an international tour in August 2011. In the first game against the China men's national basketball team, Rivers scored 18 points on 8–19 shooting and led Duke to a 77–64 victory. In the second game (also against the Chinese national team), Rivers scored 12 points in a 78–66 victory, making several dunks during the first half. In the final game played in Beijing, Rivers chipped in 11 points as Duke topped the Chinese, 93–78.[10] In his team's 86–66 victory over the Dubai national team, he scored 16 points, including 10 in the second quarter, on an array of impressive drives.

    On February 8, 2012, his three-point basket as time expired allowed Duke to overcome an 82–72 deficit with two minutes to play in an 85–84 victory over the University of North Carolina.[11] The victory ended North Carolina's 31 game winning streak at the Dean Smith Center.[12]

    On March 16, 2012, Rivers' college career ended in the "Round of 64" of the NCAA tournament, when Duke lost to Lehigh University. Rivers shot 5-14 from the field, while playing 34 minutes. Lehigh led for most of the game, earning their first NCAA Tournament victory.[13]

    On March 26, 2012, Rivers declared for the NBA draft, foregoing his final three years of college eligibility.[14]

    Professional career

    New Orleans Hornets / Pelicans (2012–2015)

    2012–13 season

    Rivers was selected by the New Orleans Hornets with the 10th overall pick the 2012 NBA draft. Rivers chose to wear the #25 jersey, the same number his father wore when he was in the NBA. The night before Rivers said, "I want to be like my dad, only better." Joining him as a rookie on the Hornets was Anthony Davis, the first overall pick of the draft. On July 24, 2012, Rivers signed his rookie scale contract with the Hornets.[15] Three days later, Rivers underwent successful surgery to clean up bone spurs in his right ankle.[16]

    On October 31, 2012, Rivers made his NBA debut in the Hornets' season opener against the San Antonio Spurs. In 24 minutes as a starter, he scored 7 points on 1-of-9 shooting in a 99–95 loss.[17] On December 14, he scored a then career-high 27 points in a 113–102 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.[18] On March 6, 2013, he broke his hand and subsequently required surgery that forced him to miss the remainder of the season.[19] For his rookie season, he averaged 6.2 points on 37% shooting from the field and 33% from three-point range. In April 2013, the Hornets changed their name to the Pelicans.

    2013–14 season
    Rivers with the Pelicans during the NBA Summer League 2013

    On October 16, 2013, the Pelicans exercised their third-year team option on Rivers' rookie scale contract, extending the contract through the 2014–15 season.[20] On April 12, 2014, Rivers recorded season-highs in points and rebounds with 20 and 10 respectively in the Pelicans' 111–104 loss to the Houston Rockets.[21]

    2014–15 season

    On October 24, 2014, the Pelicans declined to exercise their fourth-year team option on Rivers' rookie scale contract, thereby not extending the contract through the 2015–16 season.[22][23] On December 20, 2014, he scored a season-high 21 points in a 114–88 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.[24]

    Los Angeles Clippers (2015–2018)

    On January 12, 2015, Rivers was traded to the Boston Celtics in a three-team trade involving the Pelicans and the Memphis Grizzlies.[25] Three days later, he joined his father at the Los Angeles Clippers after he was traded in a three-team trade involving the Celtics and the Phoenix Suns.[26] On January 16, Rivers made his debut for the Clippers and became the first son to play for his father in an NBA game.[27] On February 21, Rivers scored a then career-high 28 points in a 129–98 win over the Sacramento Kings.[28] On May 8, he scored a playoff career-high 25 points in the Clippers' 124–99 victory that gave them a 2–1 lead in the Western Conference semi-finals against the Houston Rockets.[29]

    On July 13, 2015, Rivers re-signed with the Clippers.[30] On February 6, 2016, he was ruled out for four to six weeks with a broken left hand.[31] On March 31, he scored a career-high 32 points in a 119–117 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.[32] On April 29, Rivers recorded 21 points and eight assists against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series. However, with a 106–103 loss, the Clippers were eliminated from the playoffs. In the game, Rivers required 11 stitches above his left eye from a collision in the first quarter.[33]

    On July 8, 2016, Rivers again re-signed with the Clippers.[34] On December 14, 2016, he scored a season-high 25 points on 7-of-10 from three-point range and 9-of-12 from the field in a 113–108 win over the Orlando Magic.[35] On January 4, 2017, he set a new season high with 28 points in a 115–106 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.[36] He averaged career highs of 12.0 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists during the 2016–17 regular season, but due to a strained left hamstring, Rivers missed the last six games of the regular season and the first four games of the playoffs before returning in Game 5 of the Clippers' first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz.[37]

    On December 3, 2017, Rivers scored a season-high 30 points in a 112–106 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.[38] On December 22, 2017, he scored 30 of his career-high 36 points in the second half of the Clippers' 128–118 win over the Houston Rockets.[39] The following night, he set a new career high with 38 points in a 115–112 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.[40] Rivers missed 18 games between late December and early February with a heel bruise.[41][42]

    Washington Wizards (2018)

    On June 26, 2018, Rivers was traded to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Marcin Gortat.[43][44] On December 17, 2018, Rivers was traded with Kelly Oubre Jr. to the Phoenix Suns for Trevor Ariza.[45] Rivers was waived by the Suns the following day.[46]

    Houston Rockets (2018–present)

    On December 24, 2018, Rivers signed with the Houston Rockets.[47] On January 5, 2019, he scored a season-high 21 points in a 110–101 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.[48] On April 7, in a 149–113 blowout win against the Phoenix Suns, Rivers made the 27th three-pointer of the game with 1:09 left on the clock in the fourth quarter, beating the Rockets’ own previous record of most made threes by one team in a game (26).[49][50] He appeared in 47 games while averaging 8.7 points, 2.3 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 28.6 minutes per game.  The Rockets won 72% of their games after signing Rivers. He started 13 straight games as a Rocket from Dec. 31 through Jan. 25, averaging 11.6 points, 3.8 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 38.1 minutes per game.  Houston was 15-5 when Rivers scored in double-figures and 9-1 when he recorded at least four assists.  He also had nearly as many steals (29) as turnovers (32) with the Rockets.[51]On August 9, 2020, Rivers scored a career-high 41 points off the bench and the Rockets used a big third quarter to pull away and cruise to a 129-112 victory over the Sacramento Kings in the Orlando bubble. Rivers made six 3-pointers as Houston improved to 4-1 at Disney on a night the Rockets played a second straight game without Russell Westbrook, who has a bruised right quadriceps.[52]

    Career statistics
    Legend
      GP Games 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
    Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
    2012–13 New Orleans 612623.2.372.326.5461.82.1.4.16.2
    2013–14 New Orleans 69419.4.405.364.6361.92.3.7.17.7
    2014–15 New Orleans 35322.1.387.280.7461.92.5.5.26.8
    2014–15 L.A. Clippers 41219.3.427.309.5822.01.7.7.27.1
    2015–16 L.A. Clippers 67721.9.438.335.6811.91.5.7.18.9
    2016–17 L.A. Clippers 742927.8.442.371.6912.22.8.7.112.0
    2017–18 L.A. Clippers 615933.7.424.378.6422.44.01.2.315.1
    2018–19 Washington 29223.6.392.311.5432.42.0.6.37.2
    2018–19 Houston 471328.6.413.321.5101.92.3.6.38.7
    Career 48414524.6.417.347.6372.02.4.7.29.2

    Playoffs
    Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
    2015 L.A. Clippers 14217.9.438.371.6321.71.1.7.38.4
    2016 L.A. Clippers 6224.0.426.235.6672.72.7.5.010.3
    2017 L.A. Clippers 3230.1.346.3081.0002.7.7.3.38.0
    2019 Houston 10021.5.435.457.6672.11.00.50.17.4
    Career 33621.2.425.370.6672.11.3.6.28.4

    College
    Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
    2011–12 Duke 343333.2.433.365.6583.42.11.0.015.5

    Personal life

    Rivers was born in Santa Monica, California, the son of Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers and Kristen Rivers (née Campion).[53][54] His older brother, Jeremiah, played basketball for Georgetown and Indiana and later joined the Maine Red Claws, while his older sister Callie played volleyball for the University of Florida and is married to his former Duke teammate Seth Curry.[55] His younger brother, Spencer, is a guard who currently plays for UC Irvine.

    He was named Austin after former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Austin Carr, while his middle name, James, is in honor of his great-uncle Jim Brewer.[56]

    gollark: Good and fearsome, yes.
    gollark: If you crusaded against bees, that was probably not smart.
    gollark: It has to be male dominated *and* popular for that to occur I think.
    gollark: Or 3. We're not actually sure.
    gollark: Plot twist: Zirconium is just Macron 2.

    References
    1. "Rivers Leads Winter Park to Title". TheLedger.com. March 6, 2010. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
    2. "Austin Rivers impressed many with his performance at FIBA tourney". Sports Illustrated. July 2, 2010. Archived from the original on August 24, 2010. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
    3. "Elite 24 Roster Revealed (First 12)". Slam Online. August 5, 2010. Archived from the original on August 6, 2010. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
    4. "Austin Rivers is named co-MVP at ESPN all-star event". OrlandoSentinel.com. August 28, 2010.
    5. "Austin Rivers commits to Duke". ESPN.com. September 30, 2010. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
    6. "Duke Inks Four During Early Signing Period". GoDuke.com. November 16, 2010. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
    7. Collings, Buddy (March 5, 2011). "Winter Park repeats as 6A champ with win over Dr. Phillips". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
    8. Payne, Greg Go UNC!!! (March 11, 2011). "Austin Rivers earns national honor". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
    9. Scout.com: Austin Rivers Profile. Scouthoops.scout.com. Retrieved on August 16, 2012.
    10. Duke Tops China, 93-78, Sweeps Series
    11. "Austin Rivers Game-Winning Shot vs. UNC (2012)". YouTube.com. February 8, 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
    12. "Austin Rivers' 3-pointer caps Duke rally, stuns North Carolina". ESPN.com. February 28, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
    13. Rapid Reaction: Lehigh 75, Duke 70
    14. Rivers Officially Declares For NBA Draft
    15. "Rookies Davis, Rivers sign contracts with Hornets". Archived from the original on January 31, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
    16. Austin Rivers Undergoes Successful Surgery
    17. Notebook: Spurs 99, Hornets 95
    18. Notebook: Timberwolves 113, Hornets 102
    19. Rivers has Successful Surgery
    20. PELICANS EXERCISE THIRD-YEAR OPTIONS ON ANTHONY DAVIS AND AUSTIN RIVERS
    21. Notebook: Rockets 111, Pelicans 104
    22. Pelicans pick up fourth-year option on Anthony Davis' contract, but not Austin Rivers'
    23. Pelicans Decline Fourth-Year Option On Austin Rivers
    24. Aldridge leads Trail Blazers over Pelicans 114-88
    25. Boston Celtics Complete Three-Team Trade
    26. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS ACQUIRE AUSTIN RIVERS IN THREE-TEAM TRADE
    27. "Irving scores 37, Cavaliers hold on to beat Clippers 126-121". NBA.com. January 16, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
    28. "Redick's 24 points help Clippers blow out Kings 126-99". NBA.com. February 21, 2015. Archived from the original on October 25, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
    29. "Austin Rivers propels Clippers past Rockets 124-99". NBA.com. May 8, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
    30. "CLIPPERS SIGN AUSTIN RIVERS AND COLE ALDRICH". NBA.com. July 13, 2015. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
    31. "Clippers' Austin Rivers has been diagnosed with..." Twitter. February 6, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
    32. "Adams' late basket lifts Thunder past Clippers 119-117". NBA.com. March 31, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
    33. "Blazers advance 4-2 with 106-103 victory over the Clippers". NBA.com. April 29, 2016. Archived from the original on April 30, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
    34. "Press Release: Clippers Re-sign Free Agents Crawford, Johnson, Mbah A Moute And Rivers". NBA.com. July 8, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
    35. "Clippers hold off Magic 113-108 for third straight win". ESPN.com. December 14, 2016. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
    36. "Clippers rally behind Rivers to beat Grizzlies 115-106". ESPN.com. January 4, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
    37. "Austin Rivers to return for Los Angeles Clippers in Game 5". NBA.com. April 24, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
    38. "Butler scores 33 points, T-Wolves outlast Clippers 112-106". ESPN.com. December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
    39. "Career night by Rivers leads Clippers over Rockets 128-118". ESPN.com. December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
    40. "Evans, Gasol help Grizzlies defeat Clippers 115-112". ESPN.com. December 23, 2017. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
    41. "Clippers' Austin Rivers: Will play Friday". cbssports.com. February 9, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
    42. "Clippers' Austin Rivers: Starting at point guard Friday". cbssports.com. February 9, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
    43. Rosen, Zach (June 26, 2018). "Wizards boost backcourt with Rivers trade". NBA.com. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
    44. Wojnarowski, Adrian (June 26, 2018). "Clippers send Austin Rivers to Wizards for Marcin Gortat". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
    45. "Phoenix Suns Complete Trade with Washington Wizards". NBA.com. December 17, 2018. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
    46. "Phoenix Suns Waive Austin Rivers". NBA.com. December 18, 2018.
    47. "Rockets Sign Free Agent Austin Rivers". NBA.com. December 24, 2018. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
    48. "Trail Blazers beat Rockets as Harden's 40-point streak ends". ESPN.com. January 5, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
    49. McGuire, Paul (April 7, 2019). "Houston Rockets 149, Phoenix Suns 111: New records set in blowout". Red94. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
    50. "Suns vs. Rockets - Game Summary - April 7, 2019 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
    51. "Rockets Re-Sign Austin Rivers". Houston Rockets. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
    52. https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nba/rivers-has-career-high-41-as-rockets-down-kings-129-112/2020/08/09/4b79c5e2-dab2-11ea-b4f1-25b762cdbbf4_story.html
    53. "Dad says Austin Rivers 'to slow it down and wait' on recruiting trail". USA Today. July 28, 2010. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
    54. Williams, Lena (January 28, 1993). "Moving Is Just Part of the Game Plan". The New York Times.
    55. Dowd, Katie (September 14, 2019). "Seth Curry and Callie Rivers wed in Malibu ceremony". SFGate. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
    56. Schmitt Boyer, Mary (March 31, 2013). "Austin Rivers, Austin Carr now old buddies: Cleveland Cavaliers Insider". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
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