David Stiff
July 23, 2020
Chris Jent
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 11/01/70
- Place of Birth: Orange, California (USA)
- Position: G/F
- Height (CM): 201
- Weight (KG): 100
- Junior Assoc:
- College: Ohio State (1988–1992)
- NBL DEBUT: 22/04/95
- AGE AT DEBUT: 25
- LAST NBL GAME: 15/10/95
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 25
- NBL History: North Melbourne 1995
- Championships: 0
- None
NICKNAME/S: Ivan Drago
BIO: Christopher Matthew Jent was born in Orange, California and grew up in Sparta, New Jersey. After attending high school at Sparta High School (New Jersey), he played college basketball for the Ohio State Buckeyes, leaving in 1992 after four seasons.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Chris Jent made his NBL debut with the North Melbourne Giants at 25 years of age. He scored 33 points in his first game.
After winning the 1994 championship, North Melbourne entered Brett Brown’s third season with its title core still in place, with Darryl McDonald, Pat Reidy, Paul Rees, Paul Maley, Larry Sengstock, Rod Johnson, Darryl Pearce, Mark Leader and John Stelzer all returning. The only major setback came in the final weeks before the season when Maley (back injury) was ruled out for the year, forcing Brown to find a late replacement before the Giants signed former Ohio State forward Chris Jent (via Houston Rockets). When Chris Jent stepped off the plane in Melbourne back in 1995, there was probably still confetti in his hair from celebrating the Houston Rockets 1994 NBA Championship a few months earlier. He had played in 11 playoff games that season for the Rockets who were able to win the cities first NBA championship that year.
Joining the team as an injury replacement for Paul Maley, who would miss the season with back problems, Jent’s debut marked the first time a reigning NBA champion had played in our league (Andrew Gaze has since repeated the feat). When Jent joined the North Melbourne Giants they were reigning NBL champions but with Maley being forced out through injury and the rest of the league making drastic steps to improve, the Giants needed a big time recruit to level the playing field, and Jent didn’t disappoint. North Melbourne’s coach at the time Brett Brown described him as the only player in the league who could “defend a point guard, play interior defence and break somebody down off the dribble”.
North Melbourne opened the season on April 22 against Gold Coast, where Jent (25.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.9 steals) immediately justified the late move, finishing with 33 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block as the Giants defeated the Rollers 118-97.
Jent’s first huge scoring night came on June 9 at Carrara Indoor Stadium, where he finished with 37 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals as Gold Coast outlasted North Melbourne 116-113.
On July 21, Jent finished with 35 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre, but the Falcons handed North Melbourne a 121-112 loss.
Jent’s best regular-season game came on September 2 against Canberra, where he exploded for 46 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 blocks as North Melbourne defeated the Cannons 113-92. He nailed seven from 14 from downtown and to show he wasn’t simply one dimensional finished with seven rebounds, four steals and two blocks before fouling out.
North Melbourne closed the regular season in Brisbane on September 16, where Jent finished with 31 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block, while McDonald (26 points, 8 rebounds, 15 assists, and 9 steals) filled the stat sheet as the Giants defeated the Bullets 122-109, closed on a five-game winning streak and finished third with a 18-8 record during a season where Brisbane, Sydney, North Melbourne, South East Melbourne and Melbourne all spent time on top of the ladder.
Jent led North Melbourne in scoring after replacing Maley and earned All-NBL Third Team honours, while Reidy (20.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.5 steals) remained a major scoring and rebounding option on the wing. McDonald (17.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 10.4 assists, and 3.8 steals) led the NBL in assists and steals for a second consecutive season, earned All-NBL First Team honours and won the Good Hands Award.
Rees (14.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks) anchored the middle, Johnson (11.5 points) gave the Giants another scoring option, while Sengstock (5.7 points and 4.4 rebounds), Pearce (5.7 points) and Leader (4.6 points and 3.0 rebounds) completed Brown’s veteran rotation. Sengstock retired at season’s end as the NBL’s only five-time champion at the time.
The quarterfinals opened in Brisbane, where Jent (34 points and 7 rebounds), Reidy (25 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals), Johnson (20 points and 4 assists) and McDonald (7 points, 6 rebounds, 19 assists, and 6 steals) led North Melbourne to a 115-105 win, while Leroy Loggins (42 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block), Mike Mitchell (17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Shane Heal (16 points, 12 assists, and 5 steals) kept Brisbane within reach.
Game two moved to Melbourne, where McDonald (32 points, 3 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals) delivered his best scoring game of the season as North Melbourne completed the sweep with a 130-99 win. Reidy (28 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists), Jent (21 points and 5 rebounds) and Rees (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 blocks) also dominated, while Loggins (25 points and 8 rebounds), Mitchell (22 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals) and Heal (14 points and 5 assists) led Brisbane.
The semifinals opened against South East Melbourne, where Jent (24 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) and McDonald (11 points, 5 rebounds, 12 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) helped North Melbourne hold the Magic to 77 points and take game one 98-77.
Game two moved to South East Melbourne, where Jent (17 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and McDonald (17 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) filled the stat sheet again, but the Magic responded with a 98-79 win and forced a deciding game.
Game three remained in Melbourne, where Jent (25 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and McDonald (14 points, 5 rebounds, 13 assists, and 8 steals) led North Melbourne to a 107-92 win and moved the Giants into the Grand Final for a second consecutive season.
The Grand Final series opened at the Perth Entertainment Centre, where Jent (29 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals), Johnson (21 points and 3 assists), Reidy (21 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists) and McDonald (18 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals) powered North Melbourne to a 104-97 win over Perth, while James Crawford (24 points and 9 rebounds) led the Wildcats.
Game two moved to Melbourne, where Perth trailed 53-45 at halftime and faced elimination before lifting its defensive pressure in the second half. Andrew Vlahov (29 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the Wildcats, while Jent (28 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) and McDonald (17 points, 3 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) kept North Melbourne close before Perth won 97-88 and levelled the series.
Game three returned to Perth, where the Wildcats scored 30 points while holding North Melbourne to 15 in the opening quarter, limited the Giants’ leading scorer to 5-of-14 shooting and forced North Melbourne to shoot 29-of-77 from the field. Crawford (32 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 5 blocks) made 15-of-18 shots and powered Perth to a 108-88 win, with Vlahov named Grand Final MVP after averaging 24 points across the series. Jent (17 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) finished his season in the 108-88 loss.
Chris Jent played one season in the NBL. He averaged 25.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 34 NBL games.
CAREER RANKINGS:
– 29th in points per game.
HIGHLIGHTS:
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 25 | North Melbourne | 18-8 (2) | 34 | 1,358 | 875 | 235 | 97 | 72 | 163 | 64 | 22 | 96 | 138 | 305 | 672 | 45% | 122 | 323 | 38% | 143 | 172 | 83% | 58% | 54% | 46 | Totals | 34 | 1358 | 875 | 235 | 97 | 72 | 163 | 64 | 22 | 96 | 138 | 305 | 672 | 45.4% | 122 | 323 | 37.8% | 143 | 172 | 83.1% | 59% | 54% | 46 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 25 | North Melbourne | 18-8 (2) | 34 | 39.9 | 25.7 | 6.9 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 4.8 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 4.1 | 9.0 | 19.8 | 45% | 3.6 | 9.5 | 38% | 4.2 | 5.1 | 83% | 58% | 54% | 46 | Total | 34 | 39.9 | 25.7 | 6.9 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 4.8 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 4.1 | 9.0 | 19.8 | 45.4% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 37.8% | 3.6 | 9.5 | 83.1% | 59% | 54% | 46 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 46 | 16 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
Undrafted in the 1992 NBA draft, Jent was drafted in the fourth round (50th overall) in the 1992 CBA draft. Jent began his professional career with CBA teams Rapid City Thrillers and Columbus Horizon prior to signing a contract to play with the Houston Rockets.
During his brief career in the NBA he played 6 regular games for the Rockets and Knicks combined but played in 11 of Houstons playoff games in 1994, thus giving him the rare distinction of having played in more career playoff-games than regular-season games in the NBA.
Jent played 6 games in the NBA. He averaged 6.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- April 19, 1994: Signed as a free agent with the Houston Rockets.
-
December 1, 1994: Waived by the Houston Rockets.
-
October 2, 1996: Signed as a free agent with the New York Knicks.
-
January 6, 1997: Waived by the New York Knicks.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 99% | 87% | 97% | 86% | ||||||
| 2 | 1 | 46 | 9 | 5 | 5 | ||||||
| Total | 305 | 672 | 45.4% | 122 | 323 | 37.8% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-97 | 27 | New York | SF | 3 | 0 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 50% | 50% | |||
| 1993-94 | 24 | Houston | SF | 3 | 0 | 78 | 31 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 13 | 26 | 4 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 58% | 58% | |||
| 1996-97 | 27 | New York | SF | 3 | 0 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 50% | 50% | |||
| 1993-94 | 24 | Houston | SF | 3 | 0 | 78 | 31 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 13 | 26 | 4 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 58% | 58% | Total | 6 | 0 | 88 | 37 | 16 | 8 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 15 | 15 | 32 | 47% | 6 | 14 | 43% | 1 | 2 | 50% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-97 | 27 | New York | SF | 3 | 0 | 3.3 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 2.0 | 33% | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 50% | 50% | ||
| 1993-94 | 24 | Houston | SF | 3 | 0 | 26.0 | 10.3 | 5.0 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 3.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.7 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 8.7 | 50% | 1.3 | 3.7 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 58% | 58% | Total | 6 | 0 | 14.7 | 6.2 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 5.3 | 47% | 1.0 | 2.3 | 43% | 0.2 | 0.3 | 50% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Spain - Marbella Joventut (1992-1993) | Italy - Napoli (1995-1996, 1997), Reggiana (1997-1998, 2000-2001), Andrea Costa Imola (1998-1999), Pavia (2001-2002) | Greece - Panionios (1999-2000)
Chris Jent’s overseas club career began in Spain in 1992–93 with Marbella Joventut, where he appeared in 14 Liga Endesa games and totalled 50 points in 134 minutes, with single-game highs of 11 points (13 May 1993), three made three-pointers (23 April 1993), six rebounds (15 May 1993), and two assists (15 May 1993).
He later moved to Italy for stints with Napoli (1995–96 and again in 1997) and Reggiana (1997–98), before a 1998–99 season with Andrea Costa Imola where he played 26 games and averaged 15.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game while shooting .397 from three and .873 from the free-throw line.
Jent then spent 1999–2000 in Greece with Panionios, returned to Italy with Reggiana in 2000–01, and finished his playing career with Pavia in 2001–02.
COLLEGE
Chris Jent played his NCAA basketball at Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball from 1988–1992, carving out a four-year career that finished with 123 games played and 1,007 points for the Buckeyes, while also becoming a reliable perimeter threat with 112 made three-pointers.
Across those four seasons, Jent averaged 8.2 points and 3.9 rebounds per game for Ohio State, and his long-range efficiency became a notable part of his résumé, with his career three-point percentage sitting at .382 (112-of-293), which ranks eighth on Ohio State’s all-time list.
Jent’s role grew steadily year-to-year, moving from 4.9 points per game as a freshman in 1988–89, to 6.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game as a sophomore in 1989–90, then 8.1 points per game as a junior in 1990–91, before peaking at 12.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game as a senior in 1991–92.
During his sophomore season, Ohio State reached the 1990 NCAA Tournament and opened with an 84–83 overtime win over Providence, with Jent in the starting group that night.
By 1990–91, the Buckeyes surged to a 27–4 season, won the Big Ten regular-season title, and reached the Sweet 16, setting the stage for an even bigger finish in 1991–92 when Ohio State again won the Big Ten regular-season championship and made the Elite Eight.
In the 1992 NCAA Tournament run, Jent scored 15 points in the Sweet 16 win over North Carolina (including 2-of-9 from three), helping Ohio State advance before the season ended in the Southeast Regional Final, a 75–71 overtime loss to Michigan where his contested attempt at the end of regulation missed.
AWARDS
- 1x All-NBL Third Team- NBA champion (1994)
COACHING HISTORY
Since retiring as a player, Jent has continued to be a part of the game coaching both at his alma mater Ohio State University (2011-2013, 2016-17) and with Philadelphia, Orlando, Cleveland, Sacramento and Atlanta in the NBA.
Jent coached 18 games as a head coach in 2005 when the Orlando Magic fired coach Johnny Davis, and the team finished the season with a 5-13 record during his tenure.
Chris Jent is also credited with improving the shooting technique of LeBron James after acting as James’ personal shooting coach when Jent was the Assistant Coach/Director of Player Development with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2006 to 2011.
Related
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