Rodney Buford
Rodney Buford | |
|---|---|
| Born | Rodney Alan Buford November 2, 1977 United States |
| Occupation | Professional basketball player (retired) |
| Years active | 1999–2012 |
| Known for | NBA player, international basketball career |
Rodney Alan "The Sheriff" Buford (born November 2, 1977) is a retired American professional basketball athlete who most recently competed for the London Lightning in the National Basketball League of Canada. His collegiate basketball career was spent with the Creighton Bluejays.
Buford entered the professional ranks when he was drafted in the second round as the 53rd overall pick by the NBA's Miami Heat during the 1999 NBA draft. After seeing limited action with Miami, he transitioned to Italy to play for Basket Rimini, then returned to the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2000–01 season. Subsequent NBA stints included time with the Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and New Jersey Nets, where he maintained an average of 6.4 points per game throughout his NBA tenure.
On the international stage, Buford played for Greek elite club Panathinaikos BC during the 2002–03 campaign. He began the 2006–07 season competing in the Euroleague for Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv, but was released in December due to disciplinary problems and underperformance. Following this, a third failed drug test resulted in a FIBA suspension. He made a brief appearance for Ukrainian team Azovmash Mariupol, departing after a single game in February 2007. In March 2009, Buford participated in two contests representing Lebanese outfit Al Riyadi.
For the 2009–10 season, Buford signed with German top-division side Eisbären Bremerhaven competing in the Basketball Bundesliga. However, he exited the team in December citing personal reasons and did not return as planned, leading to contract termination in January 2010.
On September 19, 2011, Buford secured a contract with the Halifax Rainmen of Canada's National Basketball League for the 2011–12 season. Shortly thereafter, on November 14, he was traded to the London Lightning in exchange for Tyrone Levett.