Shaun Pruitt

Shaun Steven Pruitt (born November 22, 1985) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the University of Illinois before going undrafted in the 2008 NBA draft.

High school career Pruitt attended Providence St. Mel School in Chicago as a freshman in 2000–01 where he was a member of a 23-7 super-sectional team, before transferring to West Aurora High School in Aurora, Illinois for his sophomore year. As a sophomore in 2001–02, he missed much of the season with a broken right foot. He still managed 17 games with averages of 12.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. As a junior in 2002–03, he again missed time with a broken ankle, managing just eight games with averages of 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

On November 12, 2003, Pruitt signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball for the University of Illinois.

As a senior in 2003–04, Pruitt led West Aurora to tie a school record with 32 wins and a third-place finish at the Class AA state tournament, averaging 16.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, four blocks, two assists and two steals per game. He captured DuPage Valley Conference MVP honors after leading his team to a third consecutive 14-0 conference record, 45 consecutive conference wins and fifth-straight conference championship overall. He was also named first-team All-State by the Associated Press, IBCA and Chicago Tribune, Aurora Beacon News Player of the Year, and second-team All-State by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Professional career

2008–09 season After going undrafted in the 2008 NBA draft, Pruitt joined the New Orleans Hornets for the 2008 NBA Summer League. In August 2008, he signed with Prostějov of the Czech Republic for the 2008–09 season. In February 2009, he left Prostějov and signed with Ventspils of Latvia for the rest of the season. However, he left Ventspils in March after just one game and signed with Fujian Xunxing for the rest of the 2008–09 CBA season.

2009–10 season On September 21, 2009, Pruitt signed with the Golden State Warriors. However, he was later waived by the Warriors on October 21, 2009. A week later, he signed with Peristeri of Greece for the 2009–10 season. However, he was later released by Peristeri on December 2, 2009 after managing just two games.

In February 2010, Pruitt signed with Gallitos de Isabela for the 2010 BSN season. On May 9, 2010, he was released by Gallitos but later returned to the team for the final two games of the season on May 28 and May 30.

2010–11 season In July 2010, Pruitt joined the Phoenix Suns for the 2010 NBA Summer League. On September 5, 2010, he signed a one-year deal with Cedevita Zagreb of the A-1 Liga. However, he was later released by the club on September 16, 2010 after he failed the club's medical exam.

In March 2011, Pruitt signed with Mets de Guaynabo for the 2011 BSN season.

2011–12 season On July 12, 2011, Pruitt signed with Halcones Rojos Veracruz of Mexico for the 2011–12 season. He left Halcones in November 2011 after just nine games. On December 9, 2011, he signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, he was later waived by the Timberwolves four days later.

On February 14, 2012, Pruitt signed with Trotamundos de Carabobo for the 2012 LPB season.

2012–13 season In July 2012, Pruitt signed with Titanes Del Distrito Nacional for the 2012 LNB season. He was later released by Titanes on August 22, 2012 in favor of Ryan Humphrey.

On January 30, 2013, Pruitt signed with Club Atlético Aguada of Uruguay for the rest of the 2012–13 season. He was later released in February 2013 after just three games. In March 2013, he signed with Mets de Guaynabo for a second stint, but was later released in April 2013 before playing for them.

2013–14 season On January 8, 2014, Pruitt signed with Marinos de Anzoátegui for the 2014 LPB season.

2014–15 season On November 1, 2014, Pruitt was selected by the Grand Rapids Drive in the third round of the 2014 NBA Development League Draft. However, he was later waived by Grand Rapids on November 13, 2014.

Personal Pruitt is the son Steve and Debra Pruitt. His father played college basketball for Olive–Harvey College.