Mike Chappell

Michael Lawrence Chappell (b. January 21 1978 Southfield, Michigan) is an international professional basketball player. Chappell is known for his silky smooth style and finesse on the basketball court. As a swingman, he excels as both a guard and a forward. Chappell has exceptional range and is respected for his excellent sense of sportsmanship.

He attended Southfield Lathrup High School, where he gained notoriety for his clean 3-point shots, dynamic skills, and intrinsic knowledge of the game.

College career

After being recruited heavily by the top universities in America, Mike Chappell attended college at Duke University from 1996-1998 and was coached under Mike Krzyzewski. At Duke, Chappell started in over half of their games in 1998. Chappell transferred to Michigan State University in the fall of 1998. Under the leadership of Tom Izzo, Chappell contributed to a dynamic team that won the NCAA National Title in 2000 and made it to the Final Four in 2001.

Professional career

Upon graduation from Michigan State University, Chappell joined the rosters of the Wollongong Hawks (2001-2002) and Canberra Cannons (2002-2003) in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). His popularity within the NBL brought him back to star for the New Zealand Breakers in 2003. In 2004, Mike Chappell set a new NBL record after scoring an explosive 44-points in a game against the Perth Wildcats. Word of Chappell's success in the NBL reached the US, and he was selected to play for the Toronto Raptors in the 2004 NBA Summer League in Minnesota.

After his stint in the NBL, Mike Chappell ventured out into Europe where he played in Portugal (Queluz). He also has played basketball professionally in Lebanon (Champville). In August 2006, Chappell signed a deal to join the Sendai 89ers for the Basketball Japan League. In May 2007, Chappell signed a deal to join the Adelaide 36ers as their second import, which saw him returning to the Australian NBL once again.

When he isn't playing basketball, Chappell's favorite pastime is spending time with his son, Isaiah Chappell, who was born in Auckland, New Zealand on March 16, 2005 and consequently holds dual citizenship. The New Zealand national basketball team, The Tall Blacks, has jokingly extended an open invitation for Chappell's son to join their roster some day.

Sources

• http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411317/253325
• http://espn.go.com/ncb/preview2000/s/bilasnewcomers.html
• http://www.sptimes.com/News/123100/news_pf/Sports/Men_s_college_basketb.shtml
• http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/news/2002/11/01/magic_msu_ap/
• http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/01/28/1075088096224.html
• http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/terrific-20-teams.htm
• http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=291&ObjectID=9001228