Maurice Ager

Maurice Darnell Ager (born February 9, 1984) is an American former professional basketball player. He played at the collegiate level for the Michigan State Spartans from 2002 until 2006, and earned a spot on the 19-and-under USA basketball team in the summer of 2004. As a Junior, Ager led the Spartans to the NCAA Final Four in 2005, averaging 14 points per game. As a Senior, Ager led the Big Ten in scoring, averaging just below 20 points per contest, and participated in the prestigious NCAA dunk contest at the 2006 Final Four. The 6' 5" (1.95 m) guard was best known for his sharp shooting and exceptional athleticism. On June 28, 2006, Ager was selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA draft with the 28th overall pick. In 2008, Ager was included in a trade between the Dallas Mavericks and New Jersey Nets, which centered on all-stars Jason Kidd and Devin Harris. Separately, Ager is an accomplished music producer and was considered for a Grammy Award for his song "Far From Home."[1] Ager released his debut album, Moe Town Vol. 1, in 2013. In 2014, Ager created "Moe Ager Hoop School," a basketball enrichment program which serves to develop young, up-and-coming basketball players worldwide. Ager has provided his program all over the world in areas including America, Canada, Spain, China, South America, Africa, and is currently active in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Maurice Ager
Personal information
Born (1984-02-09) February 9, 1984
Detroit, Michigan
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight202 lb (92 kg)
Career information
High schoolCrockett (Detroit, Michigan)
CollegeMichigan State (2002–2006)
NBA draft2006 / Round: 1 / Pick: 28th overall
Selected by the Dallas Mavericks
Playing career2006–2010
PositionShooting guard
Career history
2006–2008Dallas Mavericks
2006–2007Fort Worth Flyers
2008Tulsa 66ers
2008–2009New Jersey Nets
2009–2010Cajasol Sevilla
2010Maine Red Claws
2010Minnesota Timberwolves
Career highlights and awards
  • 2x Second-team All-Big Ten (2005, 2006)
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com

Basketball career

College

Ager attended Michigan State from 2002–2006. In his freshman year, he averaged 6.7 points per game as the Spartans advanced to the Elite Eight before losing to Texas.[2] As a sophomore in 2004, he increased his scoring average to 8.5 points per game while averaging 22.5 minutes per game. The Spartans, who were ranked No. 3 in the country to begin the season, faded late in the year and were ousted in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament.

In 2005, Ager was the top scorer for Michigan State, averaging 14.1 points per game while averaging 26.3 minutes per game.[3] He led the Spartans to the Final Four by defeating Kentucky in a memorable double-overtime game in the Elite Eight. He was named to the Austin All-Regional team after averaging 16.8 points and 5 rebounds a game. Ager scored 24 points against North Carolina in the Final Four, but the Spartans lost to the eventual National Champions.[4]

Ager again led the Spartans in scoring in 2006, as he averaged 19.3 points per game as a senior. On November 22, 2005, at the Maui Invitational Tournament, Ager faced off against Gonzaga's Adam Morrison in one of the most thrilling battles of the year. Down by three with virtually no time remaining on the clock, Ager sank a three-point shot at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. Despite Ager's team-high 36 points, Gonzaga knocked off the Spartans in triple overtime 109–106.[5] The next day Ager led the Spartans with 20 points to defeat Arizona 74–71 in overtime.[6] Despite this, the Spartans did not live up to the expectations that analysts put on them. Once ranked No. 5 in the country, they received a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament, where they fell to George Mason in the First Round.[7] (George Mason would go on to the Final Four).

Ager finished his career with 1,554 points with Spartans.[8]

Professional career

On June 28, 2006, Ager was selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA draft with the 28th overall pick.[9]

While with the Mavericks in 2006, Ager was assigned to the Fort Worth Flyers of the D-League.[10] Ager would appear in 32 games in his rookie season for the Mavericks. He appeared in 12 games (Started 4 games) for the Mavericks in 2007–08. However, on February 19, 2008, Ager was traded, among others, by the Mavericks to the New Jersey Nets in a multi-player deal involving point guard Jason Kidd.[11] During this time, he also played in the NBA's D-League. Ager would appear in 14 games for the Nets and 20 games in 2008–09. Following his stint with the Nets, he played in the D-League and Spain. After appearing four games for the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2010, he was waived November 11, 2010.[12]

NBA 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

Regular season
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2006–07 Dallas 3216.7.314.333.606.7.2.1.12.2
2007–08 Dallas 1236.4.185.000.833.3.3.0.11.3
2007–08 New Jersey 1406.3.421.273.167.6.3.0.02.6
2008–09 New Jersey 2004.9.349.000.500.5.2.1.11.7
2010–11 Minnesota 407.3.545.750.000.5.3.3.03.8
Career 8246.2.339.250.566.6.2.1.12.1

Playoffs
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2007 Dallas 308.0.556.667.5001.0.0.0.05.0
Career 308.0.556.667.5001.0.0.0.05.0

Music career

In 2010 Ager created his own music production company called "Moe Ager Productions". As a music producer, Ager's musical talent is becoming ever increasingly known and recognized, a talent which he has developed since his teenage years.[1] In 2013, he was nominated for Producer of the Year at the EOTM Awards in Los Angeles. Ager received ballot consideration for the 56th Annual Grammy Awards for his single, "Far From Home."[1] He has produced for not only himself but artists such as Royce Da 5'9, E-40, Lazy Bone, Tobenwige, Major Williams, Marcus Moody, Yukmouf, Rashaun Will, ETC [13][14] and B-Real of Cypress Hill. One of Ager's most popular works is his single, "Forever I'm a Spartan," which was released as an anthem for the Michigan State University football team in 2010. Ager released 3 projects in the winter of 2018,"Moe House","Lost in Translation" and "Visa Run" currently streaming on all major music platforms globally.

References
  1. "Former NBA first-round pick, Grammy nominee follows passions". Sporting News. July 11, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  2. "2002-03 Michigan State Spartans Roster and Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  3. "2004-05 Michigan State Spartans Roster and Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  4. "Maurice Ager Michigan State profile". Michigan State Spartans. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  5. Dye, Dave (December 11, 2005). "Ager's stellar game does his talking now". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  6. "Spartans beat out Wildcats in close game, finish third in Maui Invitational". CBSSports.com. November 23, 2005. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  7. "George Mason vs. Michigan State - Game Recap - March 17, 2006". Espn.com. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  8. "Maurice Ager College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  9. "Mavericks sign first-round pick Maurice Ager". ESPN.com. July 1, 2006. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  10. "You are being redirected..." Nba.com.
  11. Beck, Howard (February 21, 2008). "New Nets Arrive, but Harris's Debut Is Delayed". Nytimes.com.
  12. "Wolves waive Ager, look to sign free-agent PG". Espn.com. November 12, 2010. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  13. "I Show Off by Rashaun Will". Music.apple.com.
  14. "Rashaun Will (@RashaunWill) | Twitter". Twitter.com.
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