{{Short description|American basketball player and scout (born 1983)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox basketball biography | name = Ronnie Price | image = Phoenix Suns visit Luke Air Force Base (2273439).jpg | caption = Price with the Phoenix Suns in 2015 | position = Scout | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 2 | weight_lb = 190 | league = NBA | team = Phoenix Suns | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|6|21}} | birth_place = Friendswood, Texas, U.S. | highschool = Clear Brook<br>(Friendswood, Texas) | college = *Nicholls (2001–2002) *Utah Valley (2002–2005) | draft_year = 2005 | career_start = 2005 | career_end = 2017 | career_position = Point guard | career_number = 7, 17, 2, 24, 10, 9, 14 | years1 = {{nbay|2005|start}}–{{nbay|2006|end}} | team1 = Sacramento Kings | years2 = {{nbay|2007|start}}–{{nbay|2010|end}} | team2 = Utah Jazz | years3 = {{nbay|2011|full=y}} | team3 = Phoenix Suns | years4 = {{nbay|2012|full=y}} | team4 = Portland Trail Blazers | years5 = {{nbay|2013|full=y}} | team5 = Orlando Magic | years6 = {{nbay|2014|full=y}} | team6 = Los Angeles Lakers | years7 = {{nbay|2015|start}}–{{nbay|2016|end}} | team7 = Phoenix Suns | highlights = * NCAA Independent Player of the Year (2005) * 2× NCAA All-Independent Team (2004, 2005) | stats_league = NBA | stat1label = Points | stat1value = 2,015 (3.7 ppg) | stat2label = Rebounds | stat2value = 658 (1.2 rpg) | stat3label = Assists | stat3value = 960 (1.8 apg) }} '''Ronald D'Wayne Price''' (born June 21, 1983) is an American former professional basketball player and current scout for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Price grew up in Friendswood, Texas and played college basketball for one year at Nicholls State and three years at Utah Valley State (now Utah Valley). Price went undrafted <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nba.com/suns/news/ronnie-price-undrafted-and-employed | title=Ronnie Price: Undrafted and Employed | website=NBA.com }}</ref> in the 2005 NBA draft and played for the Sacramento Kings from {{nbay|2005|start}} to {{nbay|2007|end}}. Price then played for the Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Orlando Magic, and Los Angeles Lakers before returning to Phoenix for a second and final playing stint.
== Early life and college career == Price was born and raised in Friendswood, Texas and graduated from Clear Brook High School in 2001 as an honor roll student with a 3.4 grade point average.<ref name="Utah Valley bio">{{cite web|title=Ronnie Price|url=http://www.uvsc.edu/athletics/mbball/profiles2004-2005/price.html|publisher=Utah Valley State College|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050302142022/http://www.uvsc.edu/athletics/mbball/profiles2004-2005/price.html|archive-date=March 2, 2005}}</ref> At 5-foot-7, Price was considered undersized as a senior and was not offered any basketball scholarships out of high school.<ref>[https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2015/10/5/9453071/Ronnie-Price-phoenix-suns-value-goes-beyond-numbers The value of backup Suns point guard Ronnie Price goes beyond numbers]</ref> In 2001, Price enrolled at Nicholls State University of Thibodaux, Louisiana and walked on to the Colonels basketball team.<ref name="price is right">{{cite web|last=Robinson|first=Doug|title=The Price is right for Jazz|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700225704/The-Price-is-right-for-Jazz.html?pg=all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006080535/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700225704/The-Price-is-right-for-Jazz.html?pg=all|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 6, 2015|work=Deseret News|access-date=March 9, 2013|date=May 14, 2008}}</ref> He grew to 6 feet by the beginning of his freshman season and averaged 11.3 points per game.<ref name="Utah Valley bio"/><ref name="NSU 2001">{{cite web|title=Player Profiles: 2001-2002 Colonels|url=http://www.nicholls.edu/sports/mbasketball/plprofiles.htm#price|publisher=Nicholls State University Athletics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021022213520/http://www.nicholls.edu/sports/mbasketball/plprofiles.htm#price|archive-date=October 22, 2002}}</ref> At 6-foot-1 by the end of his freshman year, Price transferred to Utah Valley State College (now Utah Valley University) in Orem, Utah.<ref>{{cite web|title=2002-2003 Player Roster (men's basketball)|url=http://www.uvsc.edu/athletics/mbball/players/players02.html|publisher=Utah Valley State College|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030319165439/http://www.uvsc.edu/athletics/mbball/players/players02.html|archive-date=March 19, 2003}}</ref>
As a sophomore (2002–03), Price averaged 15.3 points per game, earning Honorable Mention honors in the NJCAA Region 18. UVSC became a four-year institution the following year, and Price decided to stay as the school transitioned to NCAA Division I basketball. He improved his scoring average to 20.2 points per game as a junior (2003–04), leading the Wolverines to the so-called Division I Provisional Championship, meaning the team beat other schools transitioning to Division I.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/2009/1/23/20297867/uvu-basketball-wolverines-finishing-up-provisional-status|title = UVU basketball: Wolverines finishing up provisional status|date = 23 January 2009}}</ref> The Wolverines finished the season with a 23–5 record. Price scored a career-high 37 points in a game twice during the season.<ref name="NBA bio">{{cite web|title=Ronnie Price biography|url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/ronnie_price/bio.html|publisher=NBA|access-date=March 9, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114194146/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/ronnie_price/bio.html|archive-date=November 14, 2012}}</ref>
In his senior season (2004–05), Price averaged 24.3 points per game, ranking third in the nation in that category albeit unofficially due to Utah Valley's status as a provisional Division I member. For his efforts, he was named Division I Independent Player of the Year. He finished his senior year with a terrific performance, scoring a season-high 36 points (27 in the second half) in a 71–52 victory over Northern Colorado.<ref name="NBA bio"/>
Price was inducted into the Utah Valley University Hall of Fame on February 4, 2010, at halftime of Utah Valley's game against Texas–Pan American.<ref>{{cite web|author=Ruff, Wesley|url=http://www.abc4.com/sports/story/Price-honored-as-UVU-wins/icLXb9qYr0GF-P5e46OZMg.cspx|title=Price honored as UVU wins|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206205036/http://www.abc4.com/sports/story/Price-honored-as-UVU-wins/icLXb9qYr0GF-P5e46OZMg.cspx|publisher=ABC 4 KTVX (Salt Lake CIty)|archive-date=February 6, 2010}}</ref>
==Professional career== ===Sacramento Kings (2005–2007)=== Price worked out for the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons after going undrafted in the 2005 NBA draft.<ref name="Price works out for Jazz">{{cite web|last=Buckley|first=Tim|title=Price works out for Jazz|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/600134964/Price-works-out-for-Jazz.html?pg=all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028224711/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/600134964/Price-works-out-for-Jazz.html?pg=all|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 28, 2014|work=Deseret News|access-date=March 9, 2013|date=May 19, 2005}}</ref> On August 3, 2005, Price signed a guaranteed two-year contract with the Sacramento Kings.<ref>{{cite web|last=Amick|first=Sam|title=Petrie mostly mum about dealings|url=http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/13345544p-14187456c.html|work=Sacramento Bee|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050805012715/http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/13345544p-14187456c.html|archive-date=August 5, 2005}}</ref> Price became the first player to enter the NBA directly from Utah Valley University.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ksl.com/?sid=9542288&nid=304|title=Jazz guard Price to be inducted into UVU hall of fame|date=February 1, 2010|publisher=KSL|access-date=March 9, 2013}}</ref> He played sporadically in his rookie season: in 29 games, Price averaged 5.2 minutes and 2.1 points. On December 22 against the Dallas Mavericks, Price had his only game that season in double figures, with 11 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist in 18 minutes.<ref name="NBA bio"/>
In the {{nbay|2006}} season, Price got more playing time with 58 games and one start and averaged 9.7 minutes, 3.3 points, and 1.2 rebounds. On November 22, Price scored a career-high 16 points in a game against the Utah Jazz on November 22, 2006, including a dunk over Carlos Boozer that NBA.com panelists considered one of the most memorable plays of the season.<ref name="NBA bio"/><ref>{{cite web|title=2007 Mid-Season Awards – Best Dunk|url=http://www.nba.com/features/midseason07_dunk.html|publisher=NBA|access-date=March 9, 2013|date=January 24, 2007}}</ref> Price started his first NBA game on December 5 against the Phoenix Suns and scored 2 points in 13 minutes.<ref name="NBA bio"/>
===Utah Jazz (2007–2011)=== thumb|Price with the Utah Jazz in 2008 In July 2007, Price signed a free agent contract with the Jazz. He started the season as third-string point guard, behind Deron Williams and Jason Hart (Hart for the second time). Price eventually replaced Hart as the main backup to Williams. He played in 61 games in 2007–08, averaging 3.7 points per game. He made highlight reels again after a block he had on Luke Walton in game 4 of the second round of the 2008 NBA Playoffs against the L.A. Lakers. Walton appeared to have a breakaway layup or dunk when Price unexpectedly caught up with him at the last moment and blocked him soundly, despite their difference in height. This was after receiving 4 stitches and a large bandage above his right eye following a flagrant foul from Ronny Turiaf earlier in the game.
===Phoenix Suns (2011–2012)=== On December 13, 2011, Price signed a one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns to replace Zabian Dowdell.<ref>{{cite web|agency=Associated Press|title=Suns waive Zabian Dowdell|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/7349315/phoenix-suns-waive-zabian-dowdell-sign-ronnie-price-marcus-landry|work=ESPN.com|date=December 13, 2011|access-date=March 9, 2013}}</ref> Starting 8 of 36 games, Price averaged 3.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.9 steals.<ref name="basketball reference"/> Price had three games with double-figure scoring, including a season-high 18 points on January 13 against the New Jersey Nets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pricero01/gamelog/2012/|title=Ronnie Price 2011-12 Game Log|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=March 9, 2013}}</ref>
===Portland Trail Blazers (2012–2013)=== On July 18, 2012, Price signed with the Portland Trail Blazers.<ref>{{cite web|last=Freeman|first=Joe|title=Blazers add veteran point guard Ronnie Price|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2012/07/blazers_add_veteran_point_guard_ronnie_price.html|work=The Oregonian|access-date=March 9, 2013|date=July 19, 2012}}</ref> Price played 39 games in the {{nbay|2012}} season for Portland and averaged 2.7 points, 1.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.7 steals.<ref name="basketball reference">{{cite web|title=Ronnie Price|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pricero01.html|work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=March 9, 2013}}</ref> On February 21, 2013, Price was released by the Trail Blazers to create roster space for Eric Maynor after the team traded draft rights to Georgios Printezis to the Oklahoma City Thunder.<ref>{{cite web|last=Haynes|first=Chris|title=Ronnie Price waived to make room for Eric Maynor|url=http://www.csnnw.com/blog/blazers-talk/ronnie-price-waived-make-room-eric-maynor|publisher=Comcast Sports Net Northwest|access-date=March 9, 2013|date=February 21, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224053901/http://www.csnnw.com/blog/blazers-talk/ronnie-price-waived-make-room-eric-maynor|archive-date=February 24, 2013}}</ref>
===Orlando Magic (2013–2014)=== On July 25, 2013, Price signed with the Orlando Magic.<ref>[https://www.nba.com/magic/news/magic-sign-ronnie-price Magic Sign Ronnie Price]</ref> On July 2, 2014, he was waived by the Magic.<ref>[https://www.nba.com/magic/magic-waive-ronnie-price Magic Waive Ronnie Price]</ref>
===Los Angeles Lakers (2014–2015)=== On September 24, 2014, Price signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lakers Sign Ronnie Price|url=https://www.nba.com/lakers/releases/140924ronnieprice_signed?cid=TW|access-date=September 24, 2014|work=NBA.com|date=September 24, 2014}}</ref>
During a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors on October 12, 2014, he was ejected after his shoe came off and he threw it at the ball while Andre Iguodala had possession during a fastbreak.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ronnie Price Loses Shoe, Throws At Ball|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QN_u7f-8Rs|publisher=The Cauldron|language=en|format=video|date=October 13, 2014}}</ref>
On December 7, 2014, Price was moved into the starting line-up in place of Jeremy Lin.<ref>[http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/12/07/jeremy-lin-carlos-boozer-benched-by-lakers-ronnie-price-ed-davis-to-start/ Jeremy Lin, Carlos Boozer benched by Lakers; Ronnie Price, Ed Davis start]</ref> On February 24, 2015, Price was ruled out for the rest of the 2014–15 season after undergoing surgery to remove a bone spur in his right elbow.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/12376628/ronnie-price-los-angeles-lakers-season-elbow-surgery Ronnie Price (elbow) out for season]</ref>
During his time with the Lakers, Price recorded career-best numbers in points (5.1), assists (3.8), and steals (1.6).
===Return to Phoenix (2015–2017)=== On July 17, 2015, Price signed a one-year deal with the Phoenix Suns, returning to the franchise for a second stint.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/suns-sign-teletovic-weems-price|title=Suns Sign Teletovic, Weems, Price|work=NBA.com|date=July 17, 2015|access-date=July 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>[https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/07/08/phoenix-suns-contracts-sonny-weems-ronnie-price/29883879/ Sonny Weems, Ronnie Price to join Suns as backup guards]</ref> Entering his second stint with the team, Price accepted a third-string point guard role behind young guards Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight, and embraced a part-time role in order to be more of a mentor.<ref>[https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/10/11/ronnie-price-ideally-fits-accepts-phoenix-suns-role/73792132/ Ronnie Price ideally fits, accepts Phoenix Suns role]</ref> On December 23, 2015, Price made a career-high six three-pointers and scored a career-high 20 points in a loss to the Denver Nuggets.<ref>[https://www.nba.com/games/20151223/DENPHX/gameinfo.html Foye scores 31 points, Nuggets bounce back to beat Suns]</ref> On January 15, 2016, he was ruled out for a month after undergoing surgery on his right big toe.<ref>[https://sports.yahoo.com/news/suns-guard-ronnie-price-surgery-big-toe-232910955--nba.html Suns guard Ronnie Price has surgery on right big toe]</ref> He returned to action on February 19 against the Houston Rockets.<ref>[https://www.nba.com/games/20160219/HOUPHX/gameinfo.html James Harden leads Rockets past free-falling Suns, 116-100]</ref> Price played in a career-high 62 games for the Suns in 2015–16, and recorded a career-high 5.3 points per game.
On August 14, 2016, Price signed a two-year deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/thunder/news/release-price-160814|title=Thunder Signs Ronnie Price|work=NBA.com|date=August 14, 2016|access-date=August 14, 2016}}</ref> However, he was waived by the Thunder on October 24, 2016, after appearing in five preseason games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/thunder/news/thunder-waives-four-161024|title=Thunder Waives Four|work=NBA.com|date=October 24, 2016|access-date=October 24, 2016}}</ref> On January 27, 2017, Price returned to the Suns on a 10-day contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/suns/blog/suns-sign-ronnie-price|title=Suns Sign Ronnie Price|work=NBA.com|date=January 27, 2017|access-date=January 27, 2017}}</ref> On February 6, 2017, he signed a second 10-day contract with the Suns, despite having not appeared in a game during his first 10-day contract.<ref>{{cite web|author=Phoenix Suns|url=https://twitter.com/Suns/status/828680821699596288|title=Suns have signed Ronnie Price to a second 10-...|work=Twitter|date=February 6, 2017|access-date=February 6, 2017}}</ref> He made his season debut four days later, playing two minutes in a 115–97 win over the Chicago Bulls.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400900212|title=Bulls vs. Suns – Box Score|work=ESPN.com|date=February 10, 2017|access-date=February 11, 2017}}</ref> On February 24, 2017, he signed with the Suns for the rest of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/suns-sign-price-waive-scott-sullinger|title=Suns Sign Price, Waive Scott, Sullinger|work=NBA.com|date=February 24, 2017|access-date=February 24, 2017}}</ref>
==Scouting career== During the 2018-19 NBA season, the Suns hired Price as a part of the team's new scouting department, after having previously firing a majority of their old staff prior to the start of the season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arizonasports.com/story/1855355/phoenix-suns-have-begun-search-for-new-general-manager/|title=Phoenix Suns have begun search for new general manager|date=27 February 2019}}</ref> The move essentially confirmed Price's retirement from professional basketball.
==NBA career statistics== {{NBA player statistics legend}}
===Regular season=== {{NBA player statistics start}} |- | align="left" | {{nbay|2005}} | align="left" | Sacramento | 29 || 0 || 5.2 || .362 || .222 || '''1.000''' || .5 || .4 || .2 || .0 || 2.1 |- | align="left" | {{nbay|2006}} | align="left" | Sacramento | 58 || 1 || 9.7 || .390 || .323 || .673 || 1.2 || .8 || .5 || .1 || 3.3 |- | align="left" | {{nbay|2007}} | align="left" | Utah | 61 || 3 || 9.6 || '''.431''' || '''.347''' || .684 || .8 || 1.3 || .5 || .0 || 3.7 |- | align="left" | {{nbay|2008}} | align="left" | Utah | 52 || 17 || 14.2 || .379 || .311 || .756 || 1.3 || 2.1 || .8 || .1 || 4.0 |- | align="left" | {{nbay|2009}} | align="left" | Utah | 60 || 4 || 13.4 || .405 || .286 || .695 || 1.2 || 2.1 || .7 || '''.2''' || 4.3 |- | align="left" | {{nbay|2010}} | align="left" | Utah | 59 || 0 || 12.2 || .352 || .290 || .744 || 1.0 || .9 || .7 || .1 || 3.3 |- | align="left" | {{nbay|2011}} | align="left" | Phoenix | 36 || 8 || 14.4 || .377 || .295 || .800 || '''1.6''' || 1.9 || .9 || .1 || 3.6 |- | align="left" | {{nbay|2012}} | align="left" | Portland | 39 || 0 || 13.1 || .325 || .256 || .708 || 1.1 || 1.9 || .7 || .1 || 2.7 |- | align="left" | {{nbay|2013}} | align="left" | Orlando | 31 || 2 || 12.2 || .304 || .209 || .692 || 1.4 || 2.1 || .8 || .1 || 2.4 |- | align="left" | {{nbay|2014}} | align="left" | L.A. Lakers | 43 || '''20''' || '''22.8''' || .345 || .284 || .800 || '''1.6''' || '''3.8''' || '''1.6''' || .1 || 5.1 |- | align="left" | {{nbay|2015}} | align="left" | Phoenix | '''62''' || 18 || 19.5 || .384 || '''.347''' || .756 || '''1.6''' || 2.4 || 1.2 || .1 || '''5.3''' |- | align="left" | {{nbay|2016}} | align="left" | Phoenix | 14 || 0 || 9.6 || .167 || .176 || .750 || .8 || 1.3 || .8 || .1 || 1.0 |- class="sortbottom" | align="center" colspan="2" | Career | 544 || 73 || 13.4 || .373 || .302 || .738 || 1.2 || 1.8 || .8 || .1 || 3.7 {{S-end}}
===Playoffs=== {{NBA player statistics start}} |- | align="left" | 2006 | align="left" | Sacramento | 4 || 0 || 2.3 || .000 || .000 || .000 || .0 || .3 || .0 || .0 || .0 |- | align="left" | 2008 | align="left" | Utah | '''12''' || 0 || 5.7 || '''.323''' || .214 || .769 || .3 || .9 || '''.5''' || '''.2''' || 2.8 |- | align="left" | 2009 | align="left" | Utah | 2 || 0 || 8.0 || .300 || .000 || '''1.000''' || '''1.5''' || '''2.5''' || '''.5''' || .0 || '''4.0''' |- | align="left" | 2010 | align="left" | Utah | 10 || 0 || '''9.0''' || .292 || '''.286''' || .500 || 1.0 || 1.4 || .4 || .1 || 2.0 |- class="sortbottom" | align="center" colspan="2" | Career | 28 || 0 || 6.5 || .294 || .208 || .696 || .6 || 1.1 || .4 || .1 || 2.2 {{S-end}}
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
== External links == {{basketballstats|nba=101179|bbr=p/pricero01}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Price, Ronnie}} Category:1983 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen Category:American men's basketball players Category:Basketball players from Harris County, Texas Category:Junior college men's basketball players in the United States Category:Los Angeles Lakers players Category:Nicholls Colonels men's basketball players Category:Orlando Magic players Category:People from Friendswood, Texas Category:Phoenix Suns players Category:Phoenix Suns scouts Category:Point guards Category:Portland Trail Blazers players Category:Sacramento Kings players Category:Sportspeople from the Houston metropolitan area Category:Undrafted NBA players Category:Utah Jazz players Category:Utah Valley Wolverines men's basketball players Category:21st-century American sportsmen