{{short description|American basketball player (born 1984)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox basketball biography |name = Lester Hudson |image =Lester Hudson Lakers Summer League.jpg |caption = Hudson in 2013 with the Los Angeles Lakers |width= |position = Point guard / shooting guard |height_ft = 6 |height_in = 3 |weight_lb = 190 |birth_date = {{birth date and age |1984|8|7}} |birth_place = Memphis, Tennessee, US |high_school = Central (Memphis, Tennessee) |college = *{{nowrap|Southwest Tennessee CC (2005–2007)}} *Tennessee–Martin (2007–2009) |draft_year = 2009 |draft_pick = 58 |draft_round = 2 |draft_team = Boston Celtics |career_start = 2009 |career_end = 2023 |years1 ={{nbay|2009|full=y}} |team1 = Boston Celtics |years2 =2009 |team2 = →Maine Red Claws |years3 ={{nbay|2009|end}} |team3 = Memphis Grizzlies |years4 =2010 |team4 = →Dakota Wizards |years5 ={{nbay|2010|full=y}} |team5 = Washington Wizards |years6 =2011 |team6 = Guangdong Southern Tigers |years7 =2011–2012 |team7 = Qingdao DoubleStar |years8 =2012–2013 |team8 = Austin Toros |years9 ={{nbay|2011|end}} |team9 = Cleveland Cavaliers |years10 ={{nbay|2011|end}} |team10 = Memphis Grizzlies |years11 =2012–2013 |team11 = Dongguan Leopards |years12 =2013–2014 |team12 = Xinjiang Flying Tigers |years13 =2014–2019 |team13 = Liaoning Flying Leopards |years14 ={{nbay|2014|end}} |team14 = Los Angeles Clippers |years15 = 2019–2022 |team15 = Shandong Heroes |years16 = 2023 |team16 = Liaoning Arctic Wolves |highlights = * 2× CBA champion (2011, 2018) * NBL (China) scoring champion (2023) * NBL All-Star (2023) * NBL Best International Player of the Regular Season (2023) * NBL Regular Season 3-point Scoring Leader (2023) * CBA All Import Player First Team (2021) * CBA All-Time Scoring Leader (2021) * CBA All-Time 3-point Scoring Leader (2019) * 2× CBA Foreign MVP (2014, 2015) * CBA Finals MVP (2018) * 2× All-CBA Guard of the Year (2014, 2016) * 3× All-CBA First Team (2014–2016) * CBA Best Defender (2015) * 6× CBA All-Star (2012–2017) * 2× CBA steals leader (2012, 2015) * 2× OVC Player of the Year (2008, 2009) }}
'''Lester Hudson III''' (born August 7, 1984) is an American former professional basketball player for the Shandong Heroes of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). In the 2007–08 season, Hudson recorded the only quadruple-double in NCAA Division I men's basketball history.<ref>{{cite news |author=Eric Prisbell |title=A Drive From Obscurity |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/14/AR2007121401809_pf.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 15, 2007 |access-date=2008-05-25 |pages=E01}}</ref> At the conclusion of the season, he declared himself for the 2008 NBA draft, but later withdrew. Hudson was drafted by the Boston Celtics with the 58th pick of the 2009 NBA draft, but was later waived. He was then signed by the Memphis Grizzlies. Hudson later played for the Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers before returning to the Grizzlies in April 2012.
==College career== Hudson put together one of the best all-around seasons in Ohio Valley Conference history in 2007–08 and helped the University of Tennessee at Martin make a six-game improvement in its league record from the previous year. The Skyhawks were picked last (11th) in a preseason poll but finished fourth and qualified for the OVC tournament.
Hudson made school, conference and NCAA history during the season, including becoming the first Division I men's player to record a quadruple-double (25 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 steals vs. Central Baptist College) in a college game on November 13, 2007.<ref name="UTMQUAD">{{cite web|url=http://media.www.utmpacer.com/media/storage/paper1175/news/2007/11/13/Sports/Utms-Hudson.Posts.Rare.QuadrupleDouble-3100569.shtml |title=UTM's Hudson posts rare quadruple-double |work=The Pacer |publisher=University of Tennessee at Martin |date=November 13, 2007 |access-date=June 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817111920/http://media.www.utmpacer.com/media/storage/paper1175/news/2007/11/13/Sports/Utms-Hudson.Posts.Rare.QuadrupleDouble-3100569.shtml |archive-date=August 17, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=273172630|title=Central Baptist Coll 74, Tennessee-Martin 116 Boxscore|date=November 13, 2007|work=ESPN.com|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|access-date=June 11, 2009}}</ref>
He also had a triple-double, eight additional double-doubles and cracked the 30-point plateau 11 times during his rookie season in the league. He finished the season ranked fifth nationally in points per game (25.7); fourth in steals (2.8) and tenth in 3-pointers made per game (3.8). He also ranked among the top 90 nationally in each rebounding (79th, 7.8/game), assists (88th, 4.5/game), 3-point percentage (72nd, 38.8%) and free throw percentage (67th, 83.4%).
A Memphis, Tennessee native who transferred from Southwest Tennessee Community College, Hudson is the first UT Martin player to receive the OVC Player of the Year award. He was again honored in the 2008–09 season, the first back to back win since Murray State University's Marcus Brown won in the 1994–1995 and 1995–1996 seasons. He was also named to the OVC All-Newcomer squad, became just the fourth Skyhawk ever named to the All-OVC first-team (2007–2008 and 2008–2009,) and was named UT Martin's Bob Carroll Male Athlete of the Year.
With All-American honors from the Associated Press and Collegeinsider.com, Hudson became the first player in UT Martin history to claim the honors since the school started playing in Division I.
==Professional career== Over the first few months of the 2009–10 season, Hudson split time between the Celtics and their NBADL affiliate, the Maine Red Claws. On January 2, an injury ravaged Celtics team turned to Hudson during a game against the Toronto Raptors. On January 6, 2010, Hudson was waived by the Celtics,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press_release/press010610-celtics-release-lester-hudson.html | title = Celtics waive Lester Hudson | work = NBA.com | date = 2010-01-06 | access-date = 2012-04-21}}</ref> but he was claimed by the Memphis Grizzlies two days later.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/grizzlies_claim_lester_hudson-100108.html | title = Grizzlies claim Lester Hudson off waivers | work = NBA.com | date = 2010-01-08 | access-date = 2012-04-21}}</ref> The Grizzlies assigned him to the Dakota Wizards of the D-League on February 28, 2010.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2010-02-28-1082925229_x.htm Grizzlies opt Hudson to developmental league]</ref>
Hudson was waived on July 1, 2010, by the Grizzlies.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/grizzlies_waive_lester_hudson-100701.html | title = Grizzlies waive Lester Hudson | work = NBA.com | date = 2010-07-01 | access-date = 2012-04-21}}</ref>
He played for the Washington Wizards during the NBA's 2010 summer league.
Hudson was invited to Wizards' training camp for the 2010–11 NBA season<ref>[http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/206203/Wizards-Invite-Hudson-Martin-To-Camp Wizards Invite Hudson, Martin To Camp]</ref> and made the team. After playing six games for them, he was waived on November 23, 2010.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/gee_112310.html | title = Wizards Sign Swingman Alonzo Gee | work = NBA.com | date = 2010-11-23 | access-date = 2012-04-21}}</ref> He was re-signed on December 20, 2010,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/hudson_122010.html | title = Wizards Bring Back Point Guard Lester Hudson | work = NBA.com | date = 2010-12-20 | access-date = 2012-04-21}}</ref> but waived again on January 5, 2011.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/hudson_010511.html | title = Wizards Waive Hudson | work = NBA.com | date = 2011-01-05 | access-date = 2012-04-21}}</ref>
In January 2011 he signed with the Guangdong Southern Tigers in China.<ref>[http://cbachina.163.com/11/0114/23/6QD6IQ9000052UUC.html 广东裁掉扣篮王新援哈德森火速上位次轮登场] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110118231848/http://cbachina.163.com/11/0114/23/6QD6IQ9000052UUC.html |date=2011-01-18 }} {{in lang|zh}}</ref> He joined Qingdao DoubleStar in November 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.asia-basket.com/China/basketball.aspx?NewsID=248782|title = Chinese Basketball, News, Teams, Scores, Stats, Standings, Awards – asia-basket}}</ref>
On March 30, 2012, Hudson was signed by the Cleveland Cavaliers to the first of two 10-day contracts.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/lester_120330.html | title = Cavs Sign Lester Hudson to 10-Day Contract | work = NBA.com | date = 2012-03-30 | access-date = 2012-04-21}}</ref> He quickly established himself, scoring at least 23 points in three consecutive games from April 6 to April 10. He also hit two last-second shots to force two games into overtime.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2012/04/cleveland_cavaliers_get_more_h.html|title=Cleveland Cavaliers get more heroics from Lester Hudson, but fall in OT to Indiana|author=Tom Reed|publisher=The Plain Dealer|date=April 11, 2012|access-date=September 2, 2012}}</ref> On April 20, 2012, after his second 10-day contract expired, he joined the Memphis Grizzlies for the remainder of the 2011–12 season.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/lester_hudson_signed-120420 | title = Grizzlies sign Lester Hudson | work = NBA.com | date = 2012-04-20 | access-date = 2012-04-21}}</ref>
On October 12, 2012, he signed with the Dongguan Leopards of China.<ref>[http://www.sportando.net/eng/world/asia/44707/lester-hudson-inks-with-dongguan.html Lester Hudson inks with Dongguan]</ref> On March 15, 2013, he was acquired by the Austin Toros of the NBA D-League.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/dleague/austin/Toros_Acquire_Lester_Hudson_31513.html The Austin Toros Acquire (G) Lester Hudson]</ref>
On October 1, 2013, he signed with the Utah Jazz.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/jazz/news/jazz-signs-lester-hudson Jazz Signs Lester Hudson]</ref> He was later waived by the Jazz on October 26.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=14657 |title=Utah Jazz waive Brian Cook, Dominic McGuire, Justin Holiday, Lester Hudson and Scott Machado |access-date=2013-10-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006102942/http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=14657 |archive-date=2014-10-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In November 2013, he signed with Xinjiang Flying Tigers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lester Hudson signs in China|url=http://www.sportando.net/eng/world/asia/67055/lester-hudson-signs-in-china.html|access-date=10 November 2013|newspaper=Sportando.net}}</ref>
On October 14, 2014, he signed with the Liaoning Flying Leopards for the 2014–15 CBA season.<ref>{{cite news|title=CBA MVP Hudson joins Liaoning Hengye club|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/sports/2014-10/14/c_133715805.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402133734/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/sports/2014-10/14/c_133715805.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 2, 2015|work=xinhuanet.com|date=October 14, 2014|access-date=March 29, 2015}}</ref>
On March 29, 2015, Hudson signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Clippers Sign Lester Hudson to 10-day Contract|url=http://www.nba.com/clippers/clippers-sign-lester-hudson-to-10-day-contract|work=NBA.com|date=March 29, 2015|access-date=March 29, 2015}}</ref> On April 11, he signed a multi-year deal with the Clippers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Clippers Sign Lester Hudson|url=http://www.nba.com/clippers/clippers-sign-lester-hudson|access-date=April 11, 2015|work=NBA.com|date=April 11, 2015}}</ref> On July 15, he was waived by the Clippers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/2015/news/07/16/clippers-waive-lester-hudson.ap/|title=Clippers waive guard Lester Hudson|work=NBA.com|date=July 16, 2015|access-date=July 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720023525/http://www.nba.com/2015/news/07/16/clippers-waive-lester-hudson.ap/|archive-date=July 20, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On September 13, 2015, Hudson returned to the Liaoning Flying Leopards, signing a new three-year deal with the club.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/world/asia/175719/lester-hudson-back-to-china-extends-with-liaoning-until-2018.html|title=Lester Hudson back to China: extends with Liaoning until 2018|work=Sportando.com|date=September 13, 2015|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref> He re-signed with the team on August 10, 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lester Hudson re-signs with Liaoning Flying Tigers |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/asia/china/285242/lester-hudson-re-signs-with-liaoning-flying-tigers.html |website=Sportando |access-date=August 10, 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>
During the 2019–20 season, Hudson averaged 29 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists per game for the Shandong Heroes. He re-signed with the team on October 4, 2020.<ref>{{cite news |title=Shandong Heroes keep Lester Hudson, Manny Harris |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/shandong-heroes-keep-lester-hudson-manny-harris/ |website=Sportando |access-date=October 4, 2020 |date=October 4, 2020}}</ref>
==NBA career statistics== {{NBA player statistics legend}}
===Regular season=== {{NBA player statistics start}} |- | align="left" | {{nbay|2009}} | align="left" | Boston | '''16''' || 0 || 4.4 || .389 || '''.600''' || .833 || .5 || .5 || .2 || .1 || 1.4 |- | align="left" | {{nbay|2009}} | align="left" | Memphis | 9 || 0 || 6.8 || .400 || .182 || '''.857''' || 1.1 || .6 || .6 || .1 || 4.0 |- | align="left" | {{nbay|2010}} | align="left" | Washington | 11 || 0 || 6.6 || .250 || .267 || .500 || .5 || 1.5 || .4 || .1 || 1.6 |- | align="left" | {{nbay|2011}} | align="left" | Cleveland | 13 || 0 || '''24.2''' || .391 || .246 || .842 || '''3.5''' || '''2.7''' || '''1.1''' || '''.2''' || '''12.7''' |- | align="left" | {{nbay|2011}} | align="left" | Memphis | 3 || 0 || 6.7 || .273 || .333 || .667 || .0 || .3 || .0 || .0 || 3.0 |- | align="left" | {{nbay|2014}} | align="left" | L.A. Clippers | 5|| 0 || 11.2 || '''.429'''|| .500|| .750 || 1.6 || 1.0 || 1.2 || .2 || 3.6 |- class="sortbottom" | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career | 52 || 0 || 10.3 || .375 || .277 || .806 || 1.4 || 1.2|| .6 || .1 || 4.7 {{s-end}}
===Playoffs=== {{NBA player statistics start}} |- | align="left" | {{nbay|2014}} | align="left" | L.A. Clippers | 7 || 0 || 5.4 || .429 || .286 || – || .1 || 1.0 || .3 || .1 ||2.0 {{s-end}}
==See also== * 2009 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== *{{Basketballstats |nba= 201991 |bbr= h/hudsole01 }} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120212215018/http://www.utmsports.com/Hudson/ UTMSports.com player piece] *[https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3996/lester-hudson ESPN.com profile]
{{navboxes|list= {{Ohio Valley Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year navbox}} {{2009 NBA draft}} {{CBA MVP}} {{CBA Finals MVP}} }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hudson, Lester}} Category:1984 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:American expatriate basketball people in China Category:American men's basketball players Category:Austin Toros players Category:Basketball players from Memphis, Tennessee Category:Boston Celtics draft picks Category:Boston Celtics players Category:Central High School (Memphis, Tennessee) alumni Category:Cleveland Cavaliers players Category:Dakota Wizards players Category:Guangdong Southern Tigers players Category:Junior college men's basketball players in the United States Category:Liaoning Arctic Wolves players Category:Liaoning Flying Leopards players Category:Los Angeles Clippers players Category:Maine Red Claws players Category:Memphis Grizzlies players Category:Point guards Category:Qingdao Eagles players Category:Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin players Category:Shenzhen Leopards players Category:Shooting guards Category:Southwest Tennessee Community College alumni Category:UT Martin Skyhawks men's basketball players Category:Washington Wizards players Category:Xinjiang Flying Tigers players