Alando Tucker

Alando Tucker
Born	(1984-02-11) February 11, 1984 United States
Occupation(s)	Professional basketball player (retired), basketball coach
Years active	2007–2017 (player), 2019–2021 (coach)
Known for	All-time leading scorer for Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball

Alando Forest Tucker (born February 11, 1984) is a retired American professional basketball athlete who competed in the National Basketball Association (NBA). During his collegiate years, he represented the Wisconsin Badgers, where he became the program's all-time leading scorer with a total of 2,217 points.

Tucker's decade-long professional tenure (2007–2017) featured three seasons in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves. He wrapped up his playing career in 2017 with Hapoel Eilat competing in the Israeli Premier League before retiring from professional basketball.

In 2019, Tucker shifted into coaching, taking on the role of interim assistant coach for the University of Wisconsin men's basketball squad, a position he maintained until April 2021.

High school career

At Lockport Township High School in Lockport, Illinois, Tucker averaged 21.6 points and seven rebounds per game during his junior year. He was one of only two juniors selected for the Herald News AA all-area team.

In his senior year, Tucker earned all-state recognition by averaging 22.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. Notably, he scored 35 points against the top-ranked Joliet Township team.

Growing up amidst drug and gang-related challenges, Tucker and his brother Antonio made a personal commitment to live substance-free lives, abstaining from drugs, tobacco, alcohol, and tattoos.

Collegiate career

Tucker commenced his college basketball journey in the 2002–03 season, starting in 27 out of 32 games as a freshman and posting averages of 12.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. His contributions helped lead the Badgers to 24 victories, a Big Ten championship, and advancement to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

The following season (2003–04), he appeared in only four games due to a right foot injury and was granted a medical redshirt.

In the 2004–05 campaign, Tucker led Wisconsin in scoring with an average of 15.2 points per game while also pulling down 6.1 rebounds across 30 starts. By the conclusion of the 2006–07 season, his averages had risen to 19.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.

During that landmark 2006–07 season, Tucker played a key role in guiding Wisconsin to its inaugural #1 ranking in the AP poll while securing 30 wins. On February 10, 2007, he became only the second player in Badgers history after Michael Finley to surpass the 2,000-point milestone.

On March 10, 2007, Tucker eclipsed the University of Wisconsin's all-time scoring record by surpassing Finley’s previous mark of 2,147 points; he also established a new vertical leap record for the program.

His collegiate tenure concluded on March 18, 2007, with a second-round NCAA Tournament defeat against UNLV where he recorded 17 points and seven rebounds.

In his senior year accolades included being named Big Ten Player of the Year and earning NCAA First Team All-American honors along with receiving the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. He set multiple school records including games played (134), starts (126), minutes played (4,297), field goals made (798), free throws made (520), free throw attempts (817), offensive rebounds (769), and total points scored (2,217).

Tucker earned his bachelor's degree in Life Sciences Communication from University of Wisconsin–Madison on May 19, 2007.

In recognition of his outstanding basketball career, he was inducted into the UW Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018.

NBA tenure

Tucker was chosen 29th overall in the first round of the 2007 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns.

Initial assignment to Albuquerque Thunderbirds

Following two appearances with Phoenix, Tucker was sent to the Suns' NBA Development League affiliate, the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, on November 27, 2007. Notable performances included scoring 25 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in a loss against Idaho on December 1, an impressive 40-point game with a flawless 4-for-4 from beyond the arc during a win over Bakersfield on December 14, and a 32-point effort contributing to a victory versus Anaheim on December 15. He was called back to Phoenix on December 18.

Second stint with Albuquerque Thunderbirds

On January 11, 2008, Tucker returned to Albuquerque but was recalled ten days later. Highlights during this period included leading the team with 33 points and securing 10 rebounds in a win over Austin on January 12, posting 39 points in a close triumph against Rio Grande Valley on January 13, leading with 26 points in a loss to Colorado on January 15, and scoring 29 points in a defeat by Dakota on January 19.

Third assignment with Albuquerque Thunderbirds

Tucker was reassigned for a third time on March 13, 2008. Over the course of 21 games (starting in 19), he averaged 27.7 points, six rebounds, and 1.6 assists per contest. Key moments included setting a Thunderbirds season-high with 42 points in a 116–100 win over Los Angeles on March 16, scoring 38 points in a 119–104 victory over Tulsa on March 20, contributing 33 points (including 14 in the final quarter) in a narrow 114–108 win against Tulsa on March 21, tallying 38 points in a close loss to Rio Grande Valley (119–115) on March 30, and adding 34 points in a win over Tulsa (118–112) on April 5. Tucker was recalled to the Suns on April 7. He received an Honorable Mention for D-League Performer of the Week for March 17, 2008.

Iowa Energy assignment

On December 26, 2008, Tucker was sent to the Suns' D-League team Iowa Energy. He participated in two games, including a season-best performance of 13 points during a 107–101 victory over Utah on December 28, before being recalled to Phoenix on January 2, 2009.

Minnesota Timberwolves tenure

Tucker was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 29, 2009, along with a second-round draft pick and cash considerations in exchange for Jason Hart. The Timberwolves waived him on March 22, 2010.

Texas Legends draft

In November of 2011, Tucker was picked second overall in the NBA D-League Draft by the Texas Legends, but he chose to continue playing professionally in Spain instead.

Milwaukee Bucks stint

Tucker inked a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks on October 1, 2012; however, he was released from the team later that month on October 27.

International career

In April of 2010, Tucker signed with Gallitos de Isabela based in Puerto Rico. By August that year, he had joined Russian side Lokomotiv Kuban. In November of the following year (2011), he transferred to Spain's CB Gran Canaria.

In February of 2013, Tucker moved to Slovakia’s BK Inter Bratislava and contributed to securing a championship that season. Later that September, he signed with Bulgarian club Lukoil Academic, where he averaged an impressive 16.6 points and grabbed an average of 6.6 rebounds per game.

On November 28, 2014, Tucker agreed to terms with French team SOMB Boulogne-sur-Mer, before joining LNB Pro A side SLUC Nancy in July of the next year. During his time there, he averaged nearly eleven points across seven games prior to moving to Israel.

On November 11, 2015, Tucker signed with Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Kiryat Gat. On June 23, 2016, he joined Hapoel Tel Aviv, earning distinction as the first American captain in the franchise’s eight-decade history.

For the season of 2017–18, Tucker signed with Hapoel Eilat on August 2, but was released after six appearances on November 14 of that year.

Achievements and awards

• Set a new University of Washington record as the All-Time Leading Scorer, amassing 2,217 points and surpassing Michael Finley.
• Broke Devin Harris's single-season scoring record at UW.
• Outperformed Michael Finley's freshman vertical leap mark at UW with a 38-inch jump.
• 2002–03 – Established the UW freshman record for offensive rebounds with a total of 86.
• 2002–03 – Named to the Big Ten Conference All-Freshman Team.
• 2004–05 – Selected for both the Big Ten and Syracuse Regional all-tournament teams.
• 2004–05 – Earned consensus third-team All-Big Ten honors.
• 2005–06 – Achieved first team All-Big Ten recognition.
• 2006–07 – Garnered consensus first team All-Big Ten honors and was awarded Big Ten Player of the Year.
• 2006–07 – Named First Team All-American by both the National Association of Basketball Coaches and The Sporting News.
• 2006–07 – Honored with the Senior CLASS Award.

Regular season

|- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Phoenix | 6 || 0 || 8.0 || .364 || .250 || .833 || 1.3 || .0 || .0 || .2 || 3.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Phoenix | 30 || 1 || 9.4 || .430 || .348 || .788 || 1.0 || .4 || .2 || .0 || 4.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Phoenix | 11 || 0 || 6.5 || .433 || .143 || .762 || .6 || .3 || .0 || .0 || 3.9 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota | 4 || 0 || 6.3 || .444 || .000 || .000 || .8 || .3 || .0 || .0 || 2.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"| Career | style="text-align:left;"| | 51 || 1 || 8.4 || .423 || .294 || .783 || 1.0 || .3 || .1 || .0 || 4.1

University of Wisconsin–Madison

In February 2017, Tucker returned to UW—Madison as Director of Student-Athlete Engagement, where he managed health and safety protocols for athletes and staff members. Two years later, he stepped into the role of interim assistant coach for the Badgers during the 2019–20 season, filling the gap created by Howard Moore’s injury-related departure.

Recognized for fostering strong connections with players, Tucker maintained his interim assistant coach position throughout the 2020–21 season, playing a key role in securing a Big Ten Conference Championship during the 2019 regular season and helping achieve a cumulative record of 39–23.

After that season concluded, Tucker pursued a permanent assistant coaching role; however, Wisconsin opted to part ways amid speculation about his intentions toward the head coaching position—allegations he refuted and denied any involvement in misconduct.

Personal life

While playing for Hapoel Tel Aviv, Tucker partnered with the Israeli charity Hoops for Kids International, participating in motivational talks, basketball training sessions, and mentorship initiatives aimed at disadvantaged youth throughout the Middle East. His commitment to charitable causes and community involvement remains a priority.

Currently residing in Chicago with his wife Krystal and their three sons, he also serves on the board of directors for the local Special Olympics chapter.

External links

• ESPN Profile