Central Michigan University Athletics
Former Chippewa Huffman Signs NBA Contract With Raptors
7/29/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
July 29, 2002
MOUNT PLEASANT - Former Central Michigan University center Nate Huffman was heckled by fans in the Mid-American Conference because of an NBA logo tattoo he wore on his shoulder during his two seasons in Mount Pleasant.
Now, the seven-footer has the last laugh.
Huffman signed a two-year contract last Friday with the Toronto Raptors after spending the past four years honing his game overseas.
"We are happy to add Nate to our team," said Glen Grunwald, senior vice-president and general manager in a Raptors' press release. "With his success in Europe, Nate has shown that he is an excellent player and should have a significant impact on the team next season."
The Battle Creek native played two seasons at Lansing Community College before starting for the Chippewas during the 1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons.
Huffman signed a free agent deal with the L.A. Clippers following his college career but he did not make the team. He then signed with the Idaho Stampede of the CBA where he played one season and was runner-up for the Rookie of the Year Award in 1998.
He then took his game overseas, playing in Spain in 1998-99 before heading to Israel for three seasons where he was a member of three-time Israeli League champion and Israeli Cup champion Maccabi Elite Tel-Aviv.
Huffman averaged 18.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last season after earning MVP honors of both the Suproleague and Israeli League in 2000-01. He was also named the Best American Player in Europe for 2001 by Besket News.
Huffman averaged 15.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocked shots in his two seasons at CMU. He was an honorable mention All-Mid-American Conference pick in 1997. The two-year Chippewa holds the CMU career record for field goal percentage (.581) and ranks fourth in career blocked shots (92) and seventh in career rebounding average (9.4). He led the MAC in rebounding in 1997 with 11.0 boards per game.
Huffman's signing came a few days after Toronto rescinded their qualifying offer to free agent Keon Clark, all but officially ending the center's tenure with the Raptors after two seasons.
Other centers on the Raptors current roster include Hall of Fame-bound Hakeem Olajuwon and Eric Montross.
Huffman could make his NBA debut when the Raptors host Michael Jordan and the Washington Wizards in the season opener, a nationally-televised game on ESPN on Oct. 30. The former Chippewa will return to the state of Michigan on Jan. 6 when the Detroit Pistons host the Raptors at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
