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Brooklyn Nets: 25 Best Players To Play For The Nets

By Phil Watson

Nov 2, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the opening tip-off between the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the opening tip-off between the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1991: Derrick Coleman #44 of the New Jersey Nets drives on Harvey Grant #44 of the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1991 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Coleman played for the Nets from 1990-95. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Derrick Coleman; Harvey Grant
LANDOVER, MD – CIRCA 1991: Derrick Coleman #44 of the New Jersey Nets drives on Harvey Grant #44 of the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1991 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Coleman played for the Nets from 1990-95. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Derrick Coleman; Harvey Grant /

Derrick Coleman earned All-America honors during a senior season at Syracuse during which he averaged almost 18 points and more than 12 rebounds per game and the New Jersey Nets, in the market for a power forward, selected him with the first overall pick in the 1990 NBA Draft.

It was a good match, at least briefly.

BKN_03_COLEMAN
BKN_03_COLEMAN /

Coleman was the Rookie of the Year in 1990-91, an All-Star in 1994 and a two-time All-NBA selection with the Nets.

But he demanded a trade during the preseason in 1995 and, while sidelined because of an irregular heartbeat, was dealt in November 1995  with Sean Higgins and Rex Walters to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Shawn Bradley, Tim Perry and Greg Graham.

In five seasons in New Jersey, Coleman averaged 19.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.6 blocks in 35.8 minutes per game, shooting .461/.275/.770.

Coleman never approached an All-Star level again. He signed as a free agent with the Charlotte Hornets in January 1999 and in October 2001 was part of a three-team trade that sent him back to the 76ers.

In August 2004, he was swapped to the Detroit Pistons before being waived in January 2005, opting to retire.

Next: J-Kidd Made Jersey Legit

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