Marcus Jerome Sasser Jr. (born September 21, 2000) is an American professional basketball player for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball at Houston.

Marcus Sasser
Sasser with Houston in 2019
No. 25 – Detroit Pistons
PositionShooting guard / point guard
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (2000-09-21) September 21, 2000 (age 24)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High schoolRed Oak (Red Oak, Texas)
CollegeHouston (2019–2023)
NBA draft2023: 1st round, 25th overall pick
Selected by the Memphis Grizzlies
Playing career2023–present
Career history
2023–presentDetroit Pistons
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

High school career

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Sasser played basketball for Red Oak High School in Red Oak, Texas under the coaching of his uncle, Jason.[1] As a senior, he was named District 14-5A most valuable player and Class 5A All-State.[2][3] Sasser committed to playing college basketball for Houston over offers from Colorado State, SMU and UTEP.[4]

College career

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After struggling at first, Sasser joined Houston's starting lineup in the second half of his freshman season.[5] On February 15, 2020, he scored a season-high 26 points in a 73–72 overtime loss to SMU.[6] As a freshman, Sasser averaged 8.1 points and shot 35.2 percent from three-point range.[7] He was named to the American Athletic Conference (AAC) All-Freshman Team.[8] In his sophomore season debut on November 25, Sasser scored 25 points, making seven three-pointers, in an 89–45 victory over Lamar.[9] On January 9, 2021, he scored 28 points with eight three-pointers in a 71–50 win over Tulane.[10] As a sophomore, Sasser averaged 13.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per game, helping Houston reach the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.[11] He was named to the Second Team All-AAC.[12] On December 24, 2021, Sasser announced that an injury to his toe would end his 2021–22 season. At the time, he led Houston with 17.7 points per game.[13]

Professional career

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Detroit Pistons (2023–present)

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Sasser was drafted 25th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2023 NBA draft. On draft day, his rights were traded to the Detroit Pistons.[14]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2023–24 Detroit 71 11 19.0 .428 .375 .879 1.8 3.3 .6 .2 8.3
Career 71 11 19.0 .428 .375 .879 1.8 3.3 .6 .2 8.3

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2019–20 Houston 30 17 23.8 .363 .352 .758 2.4 1.7 .6 .1 8.1
2020–21 Houston 29 28 31.9 .380 .335 .852 2.6 2.2 1.4 .0 13.7
2021–22 Houston 12 12 32.0 .437 .437 .744 2.8 2.6 2.2 .1 17.7
2022–23 Houston 36 36 30.8 .438 .384 .848 2.8 3.1 1.6 .2 16.8
Career 107 93 29.3 .406 .369 .824 2.7 2.4 1.3 .1 13.6

Personal life

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Sasser's father, Marcus Sr., played basketball for Frank Phillips College. His uncles, Jeryl and Jason, were All-American college players and played in the National Basketball Association (NBA).[1] Sasser's great-grandfather, John Barber, played in the NBA.[15]

References

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  1. ^ a b Duarte, Joseph (February 14, 2020). "Houston freshman Marcus Sasser carries on family legacy". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  2. ^ "Dallas-area all-district boys basketball teams: See MVPs, Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year and more". The Dallas Morning News. March 21, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  3. ^ Gosset, Brian (March 17, 2019). "Check out which high school boys and girls basketball players from DFW made TABC All-State". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  4. ^ Gardner, Kris (September 25, 2018). "Marcus Sasser Jr. commits to Houston Cougars". The Houston Roundball Review. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  5. ^ Duarte, Joseph (January 28, 2020). "Marcus Sasser travels uphill road to become UH starter". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  6. ^ Duarte, Joseph (February 21, 2020). "Future of UH basketball: Caleb Mills and Marcus Sasser". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  7. ^ Mueller, James (November 3, 2020). "Conquering the third lap: How Marcus Sasser has taken the next step as both a player and leader". The Daily Cougar. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  8. ^ Romero, Jhair (March 10, 2020). "Caleb Mills, Nate Hinton among Cougars on All-AAC teams". The Daily Cougar. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  9. ^ Mason, Jala (November 25, 2020). "UH routs Lamar behind Marcus Sasser's dominant outing". The Daily Cougar. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  10. ^ "Sasser scores 28, No. 11 Houston beats Tulane 71-50". ESPN. Associated Press. January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  11. ^ Duarte, Joseph (November 9, 2021). "Breaking it down: Houston vs. Hofstra basketball season opener". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  12. ^ "American Athletic Conference Announces Men's Basketball Honors". American Athletic Conference. March 10, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  13. ^ Medcalf, Myron (December 24, 2021). "Houston Cougars' Marcus Sasser done for season with toe injury". ESPN. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  14. ^ Sankofa II, Omari; Alter, Marlowe (June 22, 2023). "Detroit Pistons trade up for Houston's Marcus Sasser with No. 25 pick in NBA draft 2023". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  15. ^ Russell, Keith (March 26, 2021). "Former Red Oak Star Marcus Sasser Has Houston In Sweet 16 And Basketball In His Blood". CBS News. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
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