Ron Mercer

Former NBA guard and Kentucky national champion whose career ended in 2005.

Ron Mercer (born May 18, 1976) is an American former professional basketball player. He played for several NBA teams and ended his career with the New Jersey Nets in 2005.

Lore & Background

Mercer was twice named Mr. Basketball of Tennessee while at Goodpasture Christian School. He transferred to Oak Hill Academy and was rated by Bob Gibbons as the best prep player of the class of 1995. At the University of Kentucky, he was an All-American and all-SEC player and part of a national championship team his freshman year. He was selected sixth overall in the 1997 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics, reuniting with Kentucky teammate Antoine Walker and coach Rick Pitino. After two seasons in Boston, he was traded to the Denver Nuggets, then to the Orlando Magic. He signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bulls, averaging a career-high 19.7 points per game in his first year. He was traded to the Indiana Pacers, then to the San Antonio Spurs, and was released after 39 games. He signed with the New Jersey Nets before the 2004–05 season and was waived on August 15, 2005.

Reader's Guide

Ron Mercer played for seven NBA teams: Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs, and New Jersey Nets. His career high in points per game was 19.7 with the Bulls. He was part of a national championship team at Kentucky.