Drake Diener

Drake Richard Diener (born December 19, 1981) is an American former professional basketball player and coach. He played college basketball at DePaul University.

Drake Diener
Diener warming up with Dinamo Sassari in 2012
Personal information
Born (1981-12-19) December 19, 1981
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High schoolGoodrich
(Fond du Lac, Wisconsin)
CollegeDePaul (2001–2005)
NBA draft2005 / Undrafted
Playing career2006–2018
PositionShooting guard
Number16
Career history
As player:
2006–2007Ignis Castelletto Ticino
2007–2008Orlandina
2008Montepaschi Siena
2008–2009Scandone Avellino
2009–2011Teramo
2011–2014Dinamo Sassari
2014–2015Reggiana
2015Zaragoza
2016–2017Orlandina
2017–2018Vanoli Cremona
As coach:
2018–Marian University
Career highlights and awards
As player:

College career

Diener joined the DePaul Blue Demons in 2001, where he was nominated best player on the team in two consecutive years. In 2005, Diener was diagnosed with Crohn's disease.[1] He underwent two surgical operations that took him off the court for one year.

Professional career

In June 2006, Diener signed his first professional contract, with Ignis Castelletto Ticino of the Italian Second Division.[2] Thanks to a good season there, in the following year he signed with Orlandina Basket, of the Italian First Division. In February 2008, he signed with Montepaschi Siena.[3] During that season in Siena, Diener contributed to the team's championship in the Italian League, and a 3rd-place finish in the 2008 EuroLeague Final Four. In October 2008, Diener signed a one-year deal with Scandone Avellino, where he again had the chance to play in the EuroLeague.[4]

In July 2009, Diener signed a two-year deal with Teramo Basket.[5] During his stay in Abruzzo, he enjoyed great success, confirming himself as one of the best players in the Italian League, and being the main contributor to Teramo's remaining in the Italian top division.

In July 2011, he signed a one-year deal with Dinamo Sassari, where he reunited with his cousin, and former NBA point guard Travis Diener.[6] In June 2012, he re-signed with Sassari, for one more season.[7] In July 2013, he again re-signed with Sassari, that time for two years.[8]

On March 16, 2014 Diener scored 44 points against Reyer Venezia Mestre, marking his career high.[9] He helped his team to win the Italian Cup in 2014. He was also named the regular season MVP of the 2013–14 Italian League season.[10] In June 2014, he left Dinamo Sassari.[11]

On July 23, 2014, Diener signed with Pallacanestro Reggiana. He was released by the club on June 30, 2015.[12][13][14] On August 23, 2015, Diener signed with CAI Zaragoza, of the Spanish top-tier level Liga ACB.[15] On December 29, 2015, he parted ways with Zaragoza, after averaging 6.1 points per game in the ACB.[16]

On July 13, 2016, Diener signed with Orlandina Basket, for the 2016–17 Italian League season.[17] On June 26, 2017, Diener signed with Vanoli Cremona.[18]

Coaching career

On April 30, 2018, Diener was named the men's basketball head coach at NCAA Division III school Marian University, in Fond du Lac, WI.[19] He replaced Mark Boyle, who spent 30 years leading the Sabres.

Personal

Diener suffered from Crohn's disease.[1] During his 2 years in Teramo, he earned the nickname of "Il Drago" (the Dragon), due to the similar sound of his first name to the Italian word. His cousin Travis Diener, also played with Dinamo Sassari. His brother-in-law, Andy Schmidt, was an All Conference wide Receiver for the Fond du Lac Cardinals. [20]

References
  1. Demon of a time
  2. "Drake Diener to Play in Italy". Archived from the original on 2008-12-10. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  3. Montepaschi Siena signs combo guard Drake Diener.
  4. Avellino tabs Drake Diener.
  5. Diener lands in Teramo.
  6. Dinamo Sassari announces Drake Diener.
  7. Dinamo Sassari officially keeps Travis and Drake Diener.
  8. Dinamo Sassari officially re-signed Drake Diener.
  9. Watch all of Drake Diener's buckets in his 44-points showcase.
  10. "Serie A, Drake Diener l'Mvp della stagione" (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2014-08-08. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  11. Drake Diener to leave Banco di Sardegna Sassari.
  12. DRAKE DIENER E' BIANCOROSSO Archived July 29, 2014, at the Wayback Machine (in Italian)
  13. Drake Diener officially signs with Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia.
  14. Drake Diener is released from Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia. Archived July 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine (in Italian)
  15. Drake Diener signs with CAI Zaragoza.
  16. Drake Diener, CAI Zaragoza officially part ways.
  17. Orlandina Basket signs Drake Diener.
  18. Vanoli Cremona signs Drake Diener.
  19. "Diener tabbed as next Marian men's basketball coach - Marian University". www.sabreathletics.com. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  20. https://www.cardinalathleticalumni.com/football-all-time-frvc-fva-all-conference-teams/
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