Cliff Tucker (basketball)

Cliff Tucker (January 12, 1989 – May 28, 2018) was an American professional basketball player. He competed with Maryland at the collegiate level. He was killed in a traffic accident on May 28, 2018.

Cliff Tucker
Tucker playing for Maryland
Personal information
Born(1989-01-12)January 12, 1989
El Paso, Texas
DiedMay 28, 2018(2018-05-28) (aged 29)
Balmorhea, Texas
NationalityAmierican
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High schoolChapin (El Paso, Texas)
CollegeMaryland (2007–2011)
NBA draft2011 / Undrafted
Playing career2012–2018
PositionShooting guard
Career history
2012–2013Springfield Armor
2013–2014Indios UACJ
2013–2015Huracanes de Tampico
2014Toros de Aragua
2014Indios de San Francisco de Macorís
2015Academia de la Montana
2015Soproni KC
2015–2016Nürnberg Falcons BC
2016Club San Sebastian
2016–2017Lobos UAD Mazatlán
2017–2018Asociación Deportiva Atenas

High school career

Tucker attended Chapin High School in El Paso, Texas and starred on the basketball court and football field. He averaged 21.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per game as a senior and received 939 yards and had 19 touchdown catches in football. Tucker was lightly recruited in basketball because the El Paso area was not known for its talent and signed with Maryland.[1] He was an All-City MVP in 2017 and was a two-time All-Region and All-State selection.[2]

College career

When Tucker was recruited to Maryland he was told he could play both basketball and football. He played four seasons for the Terrapins from 2007 to 2011 and participated in 131 games. As a junior, he hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to defeat Georgia Tech in overtime, shooting from over 25 feet on a pass from Eric Hayes. The shot came after star player Greivis Vásquez hit a three-pointer that was waved off when a referee heard a coach call a timeout. Thanks to the victory, the Terrapins remained in contention for the Atlantic Coast Conference title, which they shared with Duke.[3] As a junior, he averaged 5.7 points per game off the bench and helped Maryland to its second straight NCAA Tournament berth.[4] Tucker averaged 9.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game as a senior in 2010–2011.[1]

Tucker joined the Maryland football team for spring practice in 2011. He transferred to UTEP, where he joined the football team for a season.[3]

Professional career

After his college career, Tucker joined the Springfield Armor of the NBA D-League in 2012 and averaged 6.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game in 13 contests.[5] Tucker played overseas basketball for several years and split time in Hungary, Germany and the Dominican Republic in 2015.[3] He competed for Nürnberg Falcons BC of the German ProA and played 14 games averaging 5.9 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. He also played in Venezuela and Columbia. In the 2016-17 season, Tucker played 32 games for Lobos UAD Mazatlán of the Mexican CIBACOPA and averaged 20.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.[5] In his final professional season in 2017-18, he averaged 2.3 points per game on the Argentinian club Asociación Deportiva Atenas and appeared in four games.[6]

Death

On May 28, 2018, while travelling from San Antonio to El Paso, Tucker was killed in a car accident on Interstate 10 about three miles west of Balmorhea, Texas. The tread on the right rear tire of the Ford Transit van he was riding in separated, which caused the vehicle to lose control and roll. Tucker was not wearing a seat belt and was one of three passengers killed immediately. The weather conditions were clear and the road was dry.[2] Only the driver, Joseph Kennerly III, and another passenger, Marcus R. Lovelace, were wearing seatbelts. His wife, Genesis Soto, and daughter, Andrea Soto, were also injured.[3] "Cliff was a great teammate willing to do whatever it took to make us champions," said former Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams.[1]

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References
  1. Ermann, Jeff (May 29, 2018). "Former Maryland Guard Cliff Tucker Killed in Car Accident". 247 Sports. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  2. Chavez, Felix (May 28, 2018). "Cliff Tucker, former Chapin, Maryland basketball star, dies in I-10 crash near Balmorhea". El Paso Times. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  3. Markus, Don (May 29, 2018). "Former Maryland men's basketball player Cliff Tucker is killed at age 29 in car accident". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  4. Jones, Luke (October 15, 2010). "Questions abundant as Terps tip off practice at Maryland Madness". WNST. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  5. Schmidt-Scheuber, Miles (May 29, 2018). "Former German Pro A Player Cliff Tucker Passes Away At Age 29". German Hoops. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  6. "Cliff Tucker Basketball Profile". Eurobasket. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
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