Steven Michael Novak (born June 13, 1983) is an American former professional

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appro ...

player who is currently a television analyst for the

Milwaukee Bucks The Milwaukee Bucks are an American professional basketball team based in Milwaukee. The Bucks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), East ...

on Fox Sports Wisconsin. He is listed as 6'10", 225 lbs. He played

college basketball College basketball is basketball that is played by teams of Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. In the Higher education in the United States, United States, colleges and universities are governed by collegiate athle ...

for the

Marquette Golden Eagles The Marquette Golden Eagles are an athletic team representing Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They compete as a member of the NCAA Division I level (non-football, sub-level), primarily competing in the Big East Conf ...

. Novak split time at both

small forward The small forward (SF), also known as the three, is one of the five Basketball position, positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically shorter, quicker, and leaner than Power forward (basketball), power forwards and Cent ...

and

power forward The power forward (PF), also known as the four, is one of the five traditional Basketball positions, positions in a regulation basketball game. Traditionally, power forwards have played a role similar to center (basketball), centers and are typi ...

. He was the NBA regular season leader in three point percentage during the 2011–12 season.

High school career

Born in

Libertyville, Illinois Libertyville is a village in Libertyville Township, Lake County, Illinois, Libertyville Township, Lake County, Illinois, United States. It is located west of Lake Michigan, approximately 40 miles north of the Chicago Loop. As such, it is part o ...

, Novak attended Brown Deer High School in Brown Deer, Wisconsin. As a junior, he averaged 22.2 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 3.4 blocked shots per game. During his senior season as a 6'9 205 lbs Forward, Novak averaged 20.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. Throughout his high school basketball career, he earned four letters. In 2002, Novak was named the

Wisconsin Wisconsin ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest of the United States. It borders Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michig ...

High School Boys' Basketball Player of the Year. Considered a four-star recruit by Scout.com, Novak was listed as the No. 17 small forward and the No. 62 player in the nation in 2002.

College career

Novak began his

career at

Marquette University Marquette University () is a Private university, private Jesuit research university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. It was established as Marquette College on August 28, 1881, by John Henni, the first Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Ar ...

in 2002–03. He saw action in all 33 games and averaged 6.7 points per game. He wore jersey number 20. He also shot 50.5% from the three-point line. As a

freshman A freshman, fresher, first year, or colloquially frosh, is a person in the first year at an educational institution, usually a secondary school or at the college and university level, but also in other forms of post-secondary educational in ...

, Novak played in the

Final Four In sports, the final four is the last four teams remaining in a playoffs, playoff tournament. Usually the final four compete in the two games of a single-elimination tournament's semi-final (penultimate) round. Of these teams, the two who win in ...

, alongside future NBA players

Dwyane Wade Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr. ( or , born January 17, 1982) is an American former professional basketball player who is currently the co-owner of the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association. He is also currently the host of the American a ...

and Travis Diener. Novak started 29 of the 32 games in the 2003–04 season. He averaged 12.5 points per game along with 4.6 rebounds per game. Novak also shot 91.2% from the free throw line. During the 2004–05 season, Novak started 29 of the 31 games. He improved his average to 13.5 points per game and also was third on the team with 4.1 rebounds per game. The 2005–06 season saw an overall improvement in Novak's game. He led the team in points per game by averaging 17.5. In addition to this he averaged 5.9 rebounds per game and shot 97.4% from the foul line. Novak's top performances included a 41-point, 16-rebound effort in Marquette's 94–79 upset of then #2 UConn in Marquette's inaugural

Big East The Big East Conference (stylized as BIG EAST) is a collegiate List of NCAA conferences, athletic conference that competes in National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA NCAA Division I, Division I in 10 men's sports and 12 women's sports. H ...

contest, and a game-winning 18-foot jumper with 1.1 seconds left to cap a 28-point effort in a 67–65 victory over Notre Dame. In March 2006, Novak competed and won the

ESPN ESPN (an initialism of their original name, which was the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by the Walt Disney Company (80% and operational control) and Hearst Commu ...

college three-point shooting contest at Hinkle Field House in

Indianapolis Indianapolis ( ), colloquially known as Indy, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Indiana, most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana, Marion ...

, Indiana. He graduated with a BA in

Communication studies Communication studies (or communication science) is an academic discipline that deals with processes of human communication and behavior, patterns of communication in interpersonal relationships, social interactions and communication in differ ...

from

Professional career

Houston Rockets (2006–2008)

On June 28, 2006, Novak was selected with the 32nd overall pick of the 2006 NBA draft by the

Houston Rockets The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA) ...

. He ended his rookie season ( 2006–07) with averages of 1.5 points and 0.7 rebounds in 5.5 minutes per game. He was not active on the Houston Rockets' playoff roster. During the 2007–08 season, Novak was assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, an

NBA Development League The NBA G League, or simply the G League, is a professional basketball league in North America that serves as the developmental league of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The league comprises 31 teams; as of the 2024–25 season, ...

team. On December 16, 2007, the Rockets recalled him from the Development League, where he had spent a month. On February 13, 2008, Novak scored a game winning 3-pointer vs. the

Sacramento Kings The Sacramento Kings are an American professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California. The Kings compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Confere ...

to win the game 89–87 with 2.5 seconds left, keeping the Rockets' historic 22-game winning streak alive. It was his only basket of the game.

Los Angeles Clippers (2008–2010)

On August 6, 2008, the Rockets traded Novak to the

Los Angeles Clippers The Los Angeles Clippers are an American professional basketball team based in the Greater Los Angeles area. The Clippers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. The ...

for the option to exchange second round draft picks in the 2011 NBA draft. On March 15, 2009, Novak hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to beat the

New Jersey Nets New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 ** "New" (Paul McCartney song), 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, 1995 * "New" (Daya song), 2017 * "New" (No Doubt song), 1 ...

, 107–105.

Dallas Mavericks (2010–2011)

On September 22, 2010, Novak signed a free agent deal with the

Dallas Mavericks The Dallas Mavericks (often referred to as the Mavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Dallas. The Mavericks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Divisi ...

. On January 5, 2011, he was released by the team.

San Antonio Spurs (2011)

On February 4, 2011, Novak was acquired by the Reno Bighorns of the NBA Development League, but only three days later he was called up by the

San Antonio Spurs The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio. The Spurs compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA ...

on a 10-day contract. On February 22, he was signed to a second 10-day contract and on March 4, 2011, the Spurs signed Novak for the rest of the season. Novak was released by the Spurs on December 19.

New York Knicks (2011–2013)

Novak signed with the

New York Knicks The New York Knickerbockers, shortened and more commonly referred to as the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Manhattan. The Knicks compete in the Na ...

for the veteran's minimum of $1.4 million on December 21, 2011. At the end of the 2011-12 NBA season, Novak led the league in 3-point percentage at 47.2% and tied

Kevin Durant Kevin Wayne Durant (born September 29, 1988), also known by his initials KD, is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Durant has won two List of NBA champions, NBA champ ...

for third in total 3-point shots made (133). He became an

unrestricted free agent In professional sports, a free agent is a player or manager who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under a contract at present ...

at the end of the season. On July 9, 2012, Novak agreed to re-sign with New York for a four-year deal worth $15 million. While playing with New York, Steve Novak accrued a large fanbase. Walt Frazier nicknamed him "Novakaine" after the drug Novocain. Novak competed in the 2012-13 Foot Locker Three-Point Contest during All-Star Weekend. His turnover percentage of 2.63 turnovers committed per 100 plays during the 2012–13 season is the lowest single-season turnover percentage in league history. The NBA did not start recording individual turnovers until the 1977–78 season.

Toronto Raptors (2013–2014)

On July 10, 2013, Novak,

Marcus Camby Marcus Dion Camby (born March 22, 1974) is an American former professional basketball player who played 17 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was named Defensive Player of the Year during the 2006–07 NBA season, leading ...

, Quentin Richardson, a future first round draft pick, and two future second round draft picks were traded from the Knicks to the

Toronto Raptors The Toronto Raptors are a Canadian professional basketball team based in Toronto. The Raptors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NBA), Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), E ...

in exchange for Andrea Bargnani.

Utah Jazz (2014–2015)

On July 10, 2014, Novak was traded, along with a 2017 second round pick, to the

Utah Jazz The Utah Jazz are an American professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City. The Jazz compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. Since the 1991–92 season, the ...

in exchange for Diante Garrett.

Oklahoma City Thunder (2015–2016)

On February 19, 2015, Novak was traded to the

Oklahoma City Thunder The Oklahoma City Thunder are an American professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City. The Thunder compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division (NBA), Northwest Division of the Western Confer ...

in a three-team deal that also involved the

Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), East ...

. On February 18, 2016, Novak was traded, along with D. J. Augustin, two second-round picks and cash considerations, to the

Denver Nuggets The Denver Nuggets are an American professional basketball team based in Denver. The Nuggets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division (NBA), Northwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA), W ...

in exchange for Randy Foye. He was waived by the Nuggets the next day.

Milwaukee Bucks (2016–2017)

On February 22, 2016, Novak signed with the Milwaukee Bucks. He appeared in three games for the Bucks before a left knee injury suffered on February 27 against the

ruled him out for the rest of the season. On August 29, 2016, Novak re-signed with the Bucks. On February 2, 2017, he was waived by the Bucks.

Post-retirement

Following the end of Novak's playing career, he attended NBPA Sportscaster U. to gauge his skill and interest in

broadcasting Broadcasting is the data distribution, distribution of sound, audio audiovisual content to dispersed audiences via a electronic medium (communication), mass communications medium, typically one using the electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves), ...

. Shortly after completing courses at Sportscaster U., Bucks' President Peter Feigin offered Novak a role on the Bucks' broadcast team. On September 20, 2017, it was announced that Novak would be joining Fox Sports Wisconsin as a pre- and post-game analyst for Milwaukee Bucks broadcasts. On occasion, Novak also commentates

Wisconsin Herd The Wisconsin Herd are an American professional basketball team in the NBA G League based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and are affiliated with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Herd play their home games at Oshkosh Arena. History On June 29, 2016, it was anno ...

games, the Bucks'

NBA G League The NBA G League, or simply the G League, is a professional basketball league in North America that serves as the Minor league#Basketball, developmental league of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The league comprises 31 teams; as of ...

team.

Achievements and awards

*2001–02 –

Gatorade Gatorade is an American brand of sports-themed beverage and food products, built around its signature line of sports drinks. The drink is owned and manufactured by PepsiCo and is distributed in over 80 countries. The beverage was develope ...

High School Boys Basketball Player of the Year *2002–03 –

Conference USA Conference USA (CUSA) is a collegiate athletic conference of member institutions in the Southern and Western United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports. CUSA's offices are located in Dallas, Texas. Mem ...

All-Freshman Team *2002–03 – Conference USA Sixth Man of the Year *2004 – NIT All-Star Team *2005–06 – All-Big East Conference First Team Unanimous Selection *2005–06 –

NCAA The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates College athletics in the United States, student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, and Simon Fraser University, 1 in Canada. ...

3-Point Shootout Winner *2005–06 – Number 20 retired at Brown Deer High School *Holds 2nd all-time Marquette career mark for three-point field goals made (354) *Holds Marquette record with 68 consecutive free throws made (3rd best in

NCAA Division I NCAA Division I (D-I) is the highest division of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States, which accepts players globally. D-I schools include the major collegiate athlet ...

history) *2011–12 – Led the

NBA The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...

in three-point field-goal percentage

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

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Houston Houston ( ) is the List of cities in Texas by population, most populous city in the U.S. state of Texas and in the Southern United States. Located in Southeast Texas near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, it is the county seat, seat of ...

, 35 , , 1 , , 5.5 , , .360 , , .333 , , 1.000 , , .7 , , .2 , , .1 , , .0 , , 1.5 , - , align="left" , , align="left" ,

, 35 , , 0 , , 7.5 , , .480 , , .479 , , .750 , , 1.0 , , .2 , , .1 , , .1 , , 3.9 , - , align="left" , , align="left" , L.A. Clippers , 71 , , 3 , , 16.4 , , .444 , , .416 , , .913 , , 1.8 , , .6 , , .3 , , .1 , , 6.9 , - , align="left" , , align="left" , L.A. Clippers , 54 , , 0 , , 6.7 , , .389 , , .310 , , .778 , , .6 , , .1 , , .1 , , .0 , , 2.1 , - , align="left" , , align="left" ,

Dallas Dallas () is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of Texas metropolitan areas, most populous metropolitan area in Texas and the Metropolitan statistical area, fourth-most ...

, 7 , , 0 , , 2.6 , , .500 , , .750 , , – , , .7 , , .0 , , .0 , , .0 , , 1.6 , - , align="left" , , align="left" ,

San Antonio San Antonio ( ; Spanish for " Saint Anthony") is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in Greater San Antonio. San Antonio is the third-largest metropolitan area in Texas and the 24th-largest metropolitan area in the ...

, 23 , , 0 , , 8.6 , , .525 , , .548 , , 1.000 , , 1.0 , , .1 , , .0 , , .2 , , 4.0 , - , align="left" , , align="left" ,

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...

, 54 , , 0 , , 18.9 , , .478 , , style="background:#cfecec;", .472*, , .846 , , 1.9 , , .2 , , .3 , , .2 , , 8.8 , - , align="left" , , align="left" ,

, 81 , , 1 , , 20.3 , , .414 , , .425 , , .909 , , 1.9 , , .4 , , .3 , , .1 , , 6.6 , - , align="left" , , align="left" ,

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

, 54 , , 1 , , 10.0 , , .411 , , .426 , , 1.000 , , 1.1 , , .2 , , .2 , , .1 , , 3.3 , - , align="left" , , align="left" ,

Utah Utah is a landlocked state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is one of the Four Corners states, sharing a border with Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. It also borders Wyoming to the northea ...

, 22 , , 0 , , 5.0 , , .457 , , .485 , , .000 , , .7 , , .3 , , .0 , , .0 , , 2.2 , - , align="left" , , align="left" ,

Oklahoma City Oklahoma City (), officially the City of Oklahoma City, and often shortened to OKC, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Oklahoma, most populous city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The county seat ...

, 13 , , 0 , , 6.8 , , .286 , , .200 , , – , , .5 , , .4 , , .0 , , .1 , , 1.2 , - , align="left" , , align="left" ,

, 7 , , 0 , , 3.4 , , .500 , , .556 , , – , , .6 , , .0 , , .0 , , .0 , , 2.4 , - , align="left" , , align="left" ,

Milwaukee Milwaukee is the List of cities in Wisconsin, most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the List of United States cities by population, 31st-most populous city in the United States ...

, 3 , , 0 , , 6.7 , , .333 , , .333 , , 1.000 , , .3 , , .0 , , .0 , , .0 , , 2.3 , - , align="left" , , align="left" ,

, 8 , , 0 , , 2.8 , , .286 , , .167 , , – , , .4 , , .0 , , .0 , , .0 , , .6 , - class="sortbottom" , align="center" colspan="2", Career , 467 , , 6 , , 12.1 , , .437 , , .430 , , .877 , , 1.3 , , .3 , , .2 , , .1 , , 4.7

Playoffs

, - , align="left" ,

2008 2008 was designated as: *International Year of Languages *International Year of Planet Earth *International Year of the Potato *International Year of Sanitation The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued throu ...

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, 3 , , 0 , , 7.0 , , .750 , , .667 , , – , , .7 , , .0 , , .0 , , .3 , , 2.7 , - , align="left" ,

2011 The year marked the start of a Arab Spring, series of protests and revolutions throughout the Arab world advocating for democracy, reform, and economic recovery, later leading to the depositions of world leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen ...

, align="left" ,

, 1 , , 0 , , 6.0 , , – , , – , , – , , 1.0 , , .0 , , .0 , , .0 , , .0 , - , align="left" ,

2012 2012 was designated as: *International Year of Cooperatives *International Year of Sustainable Energy for All Events January *January 4 – The Cicada 3301 internet hunt begins. * January 12 – Peaceful protests begin in the R ...

, align="left" ,

, 5 , , 1 , , 19.0 , , .444 , , .571 , , – , , 3.0 , , .0 , , .0 , , .2 , , 2.4 , - , align="left" ,

2013 2013 was the first year since 1987 to contain four unique digits (a span of 26 years). 2013 was designated as: *International Year of Water Cooperation *International Year of Quinoa Events January * January 5 – 2013 Craig, Alask ...

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, 9 , , 0 , , 5.6 , , .538 , , .444 , , – , , .4 , , .0 , , .1 , , .0 , , 2.0 , - , align="left" ,

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, 4 , , 0 , , 3.8 , , .000 , , .000 , , – , , 1.3 , , .3 , , .0 , , .0 , , .0 , - class="sortbottom" , align="center" colspan="2", Career , 22 , , 1 , , 8.5 , , .483 , , .455 , , – , , 1.2 , , .0 , , .0 , , .1 , , 1.7

D-League

Source

Regular season

, - , style="text-align:left;", 2007–08 , style="text-align:left;",

Rio Grande The Rio Grande ( or ) in the United States or the Río Bravo (del Norte) in Mexico (), also known as Tó Ba'áadi in Navajo language, Navajo, is one of the principal rivers (along with the Colorado River) in the Southwestern United States a ...

, 9 , , 7 , , 39.3 , , .468 , , .450 , , .909 , , 7.3 , , 1.8 , , .3 , , .4 , , 18.3 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2010–11 , style="text-align:left;",

Reno Reno ( ) is a city in the northwest section of the U.S. state of Nevada, along the Nevada–California border. It is the county seat and most populous city of Washoe County, Nevada, Washoe County. Sitting in the High Eastern Sierra foothills, ...

, 2 , , 0 , , 29.0 , , .684 , , .643 , , .400 , , 6.5 , , 1.0 , , .0 , , .0 , , 18.5 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 11 , , 7 , , 37.5 , , .497 , , .486 , , .815 , , 7.2 , , 1.6 , , .3 , , .4 , , 18.4

College

, - , style="text-align:left;", 2002–03 , style="text-align:left;", Marquette , 33 , , 0 , , 15.5 , , .504 , , .505 , , .939 , , 2.2 , , .5 , , .2 , , .0 , , 6.7 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2003–04 , style="text-align:left;", Marquette , 31 , , 29 , , 29.5 , , .407 , , .430 , , .912 , , 4.6 , , 1.3 , , .7 , , .1 , , 12.5 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2004–05 , style="text-align:left;", Marquette , 31 , , 29 , , 29.9 , , .457 , , .461 , , .905 , , 4.1 , , .9 , , .5 , , .1 , , 13.5 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2005–06 , style="text-align:left;", Marquette , 31 , , 31 , , 33.8 , , .477 , , .467 , , .974 , , 5.9 , , 1.3 , , .6 , , .1 , , 17.5 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 126 , , 89 , , 27.0 , , .456 , , .461 , , .931 , , 4.2 , , 1.0 , , .5 , , .1 , , 12.4

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Novak, Steve 1983 births Living people American expatriate basketball people in Canada American men's basketball players Basketball players from Chicago Basketball players from Milwaukee Dallas Mavericks players Houston Rockets draft picks Houston Rockets players Los Angeles Clippers players Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball players Milwaukee Bucks players New York Knicks players Oklahoma City Thunder players Parade High School All-Americans (boys' basketball) Sportspeople from Libertyville, Illinois Basketball players from Lake County, Illinois Power forwards Reno Bighorns players Rio Grande Valley Vipers players San Antonio Spurs players Small forwards Toronto Raptors players Utah Jazz players

High school career

College career

Professional career

Houston Rockets (2006–2008)

Los Angeles Clippers (2008–2010)

Dallas Mavericks (2010–2011)

San Antonio Spurs (2011)

New York Knicks (2011–2013)

Toronto Raptors (2013–2014)

Utah Jazz (2014–2015)

Oklahoma City Thunder (2015–2016)

Milwaukee Bucks (2016–2017)

Post-retirement

Achievements and awards

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

D-League

Regular season

College

See also

References

External links