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| DeJuan Blair | |
|---|---|
| Name | DeJuan Blair |
| Number | 45 |
| Position | Power forward / Center |
| Weight lb | 270 |
| Birth date | 22 April 1989 |
| Birth place | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| High school | Allderdice (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) |
| College | Pittsburgh (2007–2009) |
| Draft year | 2009 |
| Draft pick | 37 |
| Draft team | San Antonio Spurs |
| Career start | 2009 |
| Career end | 2018 |
| Years1 | 2009–2013 |
| Team1 | San Antonio Spurs |
| Years2 | 2013–2014 |
| Team2 | Dallas Mavericks |
| Years3 | 2014–2015 |
| Team3 | Iowa Energy |
| Years4 | 2015–2016 |
| Team4 | Jiangsu Monkey King |
| Years5 | 2016–2017 |
| Team5 | Austin Spurs |
| Years6 | 2017–2018 |
| Team6 | Mets de Guaynabo |
DeJuan Blair DeJuan Lamont Blair (born April 22, 1989) is an American former professional basketball player who played as a power forward and center. He starred at University of Pittsburgh for the Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball program before being selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2009 NBA draft. Known for his rebounding and interior scoring, he had stints with the Dallas Mavericks, D-League teams, and international clubs.
Blair was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and attended Frazier Elementary and Taylor Allderdice High School, where he played for the Allderdice Dragons under high school coaches competing in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League. As a high school athlete he gained attention from scouts linked to programs like University of Pittsburgh, University of Kansas, University of Kentucky, University of North Carolina, and Duke University. He earned regional honors and was listed in national rankings alongside peers recruited by McDonald's All-American Game selectors and Nike-sponsored AAU circuits.
At University of Pittsburgh Blair was coached by Jamie Dixon and became a key contributor to the Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball teams that competed in the Big East Conference and participated in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. In his freshman season he partnered with teammates who drew NBA attention and helped the Panthers to high seeds in the NCAA tournament, while games were broadcast on networks such as ESPN and CBS Sports. Blair declared for the 2009 NBA draft after earning All-Conference recognition and ranking among statistical leaders in rebounding and field goal percentage in the Big East. During his collegiate career he faced medical scrutiny related to bilateral ACL health and underwent evaluations by medical staff associated with the National Basketball Association.
Blair was selected 37th overall in the 2009 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs and signed a rookie contract to join a roster coached by Gregg Popovich that included veterans from playoff teams and international players with experience in the EuroLeague. He contributed as a high-energy rebounder and reserve interior presence on Spurs teams that reached the NBA Playoffs multiple times, participating in series against opponents such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Denver Nuggets. In 2013 he signed with the Dallas Mavericks where he played under coach Rick Carlisle before returning to the developmental ranks with the Iowa Energy of the NBA G League and later joining international clubs including Jiangsu Dragons in the Chinese Basketball Association and teams in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional of Puerto Rico.
Blair's game emphasized offensive and defensive rebounding, low-post scoring, and interior physicality, traits comparable to role players from the NBA who excelled in man-to-man and zone frontcourt play. Scouts referenced his footwork, positioning, and strength when comparing him to other forwards and centers who thrived in systems run by coaches like Gregg Popovich, Rick Carlisle, and collegiate mentors such as Jamie Dixon. He relied less on perimeter shooting and playmaking, instead posting efficient field goal percentages in halfcourt sets and offensive rebounding opportunities during matchups with teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat.
Blair is from the Pittsburgh neighborhood community and has been involved with local outreach efforts and youth basketball events tied to organizations in the region, collaborating with coaches and former Panthers alumni who transitioned to professional roles in the NBA and overseas leagues. He has family ties in Pennsylvania and has been mentioned in coverage by regional media outlets and national sports publications that follow former collegiate standouts who enter the NBA draft.
College: Blair ranked among Big East leaders in rebounding and field goal percentage during his tenure with Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball, contributing to NCAA tournament seedings and statistical leaderboards maintained by organizations such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association. NBA: Across seasons with the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks he logged totals in minutes, rebounds, points, and field goal percentage consistent with frontcourt rotation players who saw action in regular season and playoff rotations overseen by coaches like Gregg Popovich and Rick Carlisle.
Blair received conference recognition during his time at University of Pittsburgh and was cited in preseason and postseason lists compiled by outlets including Associated Press, Sporting News, and Big East selectors. His selection in the second round of the 2009 NBA draft placed him among former Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball players who advanced to professional careers in the NBA and international leagues.
Category:1989 births Category:Living people Category:American basketball players Category:Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball players Category:San Antonio Spurs players Category:Dallas Mavericks players