Luke Bonner

Height:
7-1
Weight:
245
Class:
Redshirt Junior
Hometown:
Concord, N.H.
High School:
Trinity
Prev School:
West Virginia

KELLOGG ON BONNER: 'He's been unbelievable thus far. His enthusiasm, his intensity, the way he's attacking the practices has been great. You know, I just want him to have a vision of how he played in some games last year and to duplicate that every day out. To be one of the best players on the floor, to dominate inside, to step out and make three pointers. He has the ability to do whatever is necessary this season and I'm looking forward to have a big year. If Luke Bonner can give us what we need out of that position we have a chance to be a very good basketball team.' AS A REDSHIRT SENIOR IN 2008-09:
? 2008-09 ATLANTIC 10 ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM. First UMass honoree since Mike Babul (1998-2000).
? Played 23 games (20 starts) with 6.9 PPG and 5.4 rebounds in 22.2 minutes. Out with left knee MCL strain (Nov. 12 to Dec. 13).
? Hit 44 percent from the floor and 39 percent from 3-point land (31-of-80).
? Drew team-high 28 charges on the season with four in a single game on two occasions (Hofstra & Xavier). Has 27 of UMass' 40 charges.
? In final college game, drew 28th charge, also had four rebounds and four points vs. Duquesne (3/11) in the A-10 First Round.
? Grabbed seven rebounds, scored three points and played great defense at Rhode Island (3/7).
? Made a 3-pointer in 12 games in a row until March 1. Made 22-of-47 over those 12 games, 47 percent from the arc.
? On Senior Night, great defense, scored six points and grabbed six rebounds as well as swatting three shots vs. George Washington (3/4).
? Made a clutch 3-point field goal and two free throws in the final minute of 70-69 win at Saint Joseph's (2/22). Had seven points.
? Scored 11 points, making three 3-pointers, also grabbed four offensive rebounds at St. Bonaventure (2/14).
? Made all four 3-point field goal attempts in scoring 12 points at Fordham (2/11). Also grabbed six rebounds.
? Grabbed seven rebounds, scored six points and took two charges vs. Saint Joseph's (2/8).
? Scored seven points and grabbed eight rebounds in win over Richmond (2/4).
? All-around game with 14 points, nailing three 3-pointers and drawing four offensive fouls in near upset of #10/10 Xavier (1/31).
? Grabbed eight rebounds, seven in the second half, and scored four points vs. La Salle (1/24).
? First-career double-double with career-high tying 15 points and career-best 11 rebounds in career-high 39 minutes at Charlotte (1/21). Also set or tied career highs in field goal attempts (11), 3-pointers (3), 3-pointers attempted (8) and assists (3).
? Made a 3-pointer in scoring five points along with six rebounds in win over Temple (1/17).
? After not scoring in two games, netted nine points and grabbed eight rebounds at Saint Louis (1/14) in career-high 26 minutes.
? Handed out career-high three assists in win over Dayton (1/10).
? Tied career highs with three made 3-pointers and seven FG (all 3-pointers) attempts at Houston (12/30). Also six rebounds.
? After missing a month, returned to action with career game vs. Hofstra (12/20) with career-highs of 15 points and nine rebounds in just 18 minutes off the bench. Tied career-best with three made 3-pointers.
? Before suffering knee injury, started first two games of the year, averaging 4.0 points and 4.5 rebounds.
? Suffered a knee injury after playing nine minutes at Southern Illinois (11/12).
? In season opener scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds vs. Arkansas-Monticello (11/11) in 2K Sports Classic.
AS A REDSHIRT JUNIOR IN 2007-08: Started 15 times, played in 35 of 36 games ... Averaged 3.5 points, 2.5 rebounds ... Made 21-of-59 from 3-point range (.359) ... Made at least one 3-pointer in first seven games and 16 of 35 games ... Hit 12 of first 24 3-pointers in 2007-08... Made more 3-pointers in first six games of 2007-08 than had in first 53 career games ... six rebounds and hit a 3-pointer vs. Ohio State (4/3) in NIT Championship game ... Grabbed career-high tying seven rebounds vs. Florida (4/1) in NIT Semifinals ... Career-game with 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting at Syracuse (3/25) in NIT Quarterfinal... Third-career game in double-figures ... Hit first 3-pointer in 12 games in NIT Second Round win over Akron (3/22) ... Also had three blocked shots ... Sky hook included in four points vs. St. Bonaventure (2/24) ... Tied career-high with seven rebounds at Saint Louis (2/2). Also set new career-best with seven field goal attempts ... Returned to starting line-up at Duquesne (1/30) hit two 3-pointers to finish with six points ... Suffered left leg injury at Saint Joseph's (1/23) played just five minutes, scoring two points ... Canned two 3-pointers and finished with eight points in 13 minutes off the bench vs. Charlotte (1/19) ... Tied career-high with seven rebounds, all in first half, along with seven point win over Houston (1/2). Powerful dunk was an ESPN Gym Gem on College Gamenight ... Career-best four blocked shots as part of UMass' 18 in win over Central Connecticut (12/22) ... Drove fastbreak lay-up for only basket vs. Toledo (12/15) ... Hit a pair of 3-pointers in win at Boston College (12/12), grabbed four rebounds...Tied career-high with 11 points at IUPUI (12/1) ... Set new best with five field goals, on five attempts ... Opened huge win at Syracuse (11/28) with back-to-back 3-pointers in first two minutes ... Finished with eight points ... Started and netted six points, making trey in win over Yale (11/14) ... Started at Northern Iowa (11/11) and grabbed career-high seven rebounds ... Also scored five points...Tallied nine points off the bench vs. Northern Illinois (11/10) ... Made first three 3-pointers of game ... Hit first 3-pointer on first shot of year and scored four points vs. Cal Poly (11/9). AS A REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE IN 2006-07: Reserve off the bench, playing 7.2 minutes per game in 31 games, with 1.6 points and 1.2 rebounds ... Men's basketball team Student-Athlete of the Year ... After 22 points in his first 24 games, had 23 total points in three games (7.7 ppg) from Feb. 21-28. That included six 3-pointers after just one in his first 24 games ... Converted all three 3-point field goals in win over La Salle (2/28), also grabbed four rebounds in just 11 minutes ... Made third 3-pointer in two games with a key trey against Saint Louis (2/24) ... Career game vs. St. Bonaventure (2/21) with career-high 11 points, career-best five rebounds, three blocks. Made two 3-pointers to double his career total entering the game. Had just nine total points in previous 22 games ... Scored on a sky hook shot in eight minutes at La Salle (1/6) ... Hit his first collegiate three-pointer at Boston University (12/6), hauled in three rebounds and blocked one shot in 13 minutes of work ... Four rebounds and two points at Jacksonville State (11/25) ... Career-best four rebounds along with three points vs. Northeastern (11/19) ... Made a sky hook against No. 4/5 Pitt (11/18) for his only basket of the game ... In UMass debut had six points all from the foul line vs. Dartmouth (11/11). AS A SOPHOMORE IN 2005-06: Sat out as a redshirt due to NCAA transfer rules after coming to UMass from West Virginia ... Practiced with the Minutemen ... Retained three years of eligibility at UMass. AS A FRESHMAN IN 2004-05 (AT WEST VIRGINIA): Played in 22 games with the Mountaineers as they reached the Elite Eight ... Scored 23 points on the season and grabbed 22 rebounds ... Scored season-high of four against Notre Dame (1/19) ... Played season-best 11 minutes vs. Pittsburgh (2/5). BEFORE COLLEGE: Starred at Trinity in Manchester, New Hampshire under coach Frank Alosa ... Named New Hampshire High School Boys' Basketball Player of the Year by Gatorade in both 2003 and 2004 ... As a senior, he averaged 16 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and four blocks in leading his team to an undefeated season before being upset in the state semifinals ... Named to the Class L All-State second team. As a junior, he averaged 20 points, 16 rebounds, five blocks and three assists ... Earned Class L first-team All-State honors ... Named MVP of the 2002 Haverhill Christmas Classic and was selected to the All-Tournament team of the 2004 Hooters Holiday tournament ... Served team captain his junior and senior years ... Also played AAU basketball for the Granite State Raiders. PERSONAL: Luke James Bonner ... Born on March 28, 1985 ... Son of Paula and David Bonner ... Older brother Matt (25), plays for the NBA's San Antonio Spurs after a standout career at the University of Florida ... Matt also played professionally in Italy after being originally drafted by the Chicago Bulls ... Sister Becky (24) finished her basketball career at Boston University in 2004-05 after playing two years at Stanford and is now an assistant coach at Louisville ... Maintains a blog on UMassAthletics.com ... Majoring in Business ... Shoe size 19.

BONNER'S CAREER STATISTICSYear            GP  GS  Min Avg FG  FGA Pct 3FG FGA Pct FT  FTA Pct Off Def Tot Avg PF  FO  Ast TO  Blk Stl Pts Avg2004-05 WVU 22  0   92  4.2 7   28  .250    0   11  .000    9   11  .818    9   13  22  1.0 11  0   4   1   2   2   23  1.02006-07     31  0   222 7.2 13  44  .295    7   22  .318    16  28  .571    13  25  38  1.2 46  0   7   6   8   2   49  1.62007-08     35  15  387 11.1    45  111 .405    21  59  .356    13  25  .520    29  59  88  2.5 76  1   13  14  25  6   124 3.52008-09     23  20  510 22.2    54  123 .439    31  80  .388    19  30  .633    52  73  125 5.4 65  4   25  21  19  9   158 6.9TOTAL       111 35  1211    10.9    118 301 .392    59  170 .347    56  91  .622    100 166 264 2.4 198 5   49  42  53  19  354 3.2UMASS TOTAL  89  35  1119    12.6    112 278 .403    59  161 .366    48  83  .578    94  157 251 2.8 187 5   45  41  52  17  331 3.7Bonner's Career Highs

Category    #   Opponent, DatePoints      15  Hofstra, 12/20/08        15  at Charlotte, 1/21/09Field Goals 6   at Syracuse, 3/25/08Field Goals Att.11  at Charlotte, 1/21/093-Point FG  4   at Fordham, 2/11/093-Point FGA 8   at Charlotte, 1/21/09Free Throws 6   Dartmouth, 11/11/06Free Throw Att. 8   at La Salle, 3/1/09Rebounds    11  at Charlotte, 1/21/09Assists     3   at Charlotte, 1/21/09        3   Dayton, 1/10/09Blocks      4   Central Connecticut, 12/22/07Steals      1   17 times, last at La Salle, 3/1/09Minutes     39  at Charlotte, 1/21/09Bonner's Miscellaneous StatisticsCatergory       08-09   Car.    Last Time...Double-Figure Scoring   5   8   at St. Bona, 2/14/095-plus rebounds     12  22  at Rh. Island, 3/7/0910-plus rebounds    1   1   at Charlotte, 1/21/09Double-Double       1   1   at Charlotte, 1/21/09Career Honors2008-09 ATLANTIC 10 ALL-ACADEMIC TEAMESPN Gym Gem, Jan. 2, 2008
A Few Minutes With LUKEFull name: Luke James BonnerNickname: Big HugMajor: Sport ManagementFavorite Musical Artist: Okkervil River, MGMT, Black Keys, Edan, James BrownBest Concert I Ever Attended: Okkervil River at Hogg Auditorium (Austin, TX)Favorite Sports Movie: Lady BugsBest Sporting Event Ever Attended: 2007 NBA FinalsFavorite TV Show:   Fight of the Conchords, Cash CabFavorite Web Site: iheg.comFavorite Sports Broadcaster:    Jeff Van GundyFavorite Pro Sports Team: Red Sox, Patriots, USA Ryder Cup TeamPro Sports Team I Would Like to Play For: Boston CelticsFavorite Athletes:  Sam Perkins, Micky Ward, Paul Shirley, Chris BoshChildhood Idol: Biz MarkieHobbies:    Collecting records, writing, readingTeam I'd Like to See Added to the Schedule: UConnToughest Place I Ever Played: VanderbiltBest Player I Ever Faced: Tony MureBest Player I Ever Played With: Darris NicholsMagazine Cover I'd Like to Be On: Rolling StoneMy Biggest Fear: UMass Parking ServicesMy Most Prized Possession: My ipodPlace I'd Like to Visit: DubaiPerson I'd Like to Have Dinner With: Scarlett JohanssonMost Famous Person Ever Met:  John CandyBest Part About Living in Amherst: The PVTABest Moment at UMass: Beating Syracuse twiceMy First Memory of Basketball: Participating in the Elks Hoop ShootI Wear My Jersey Number Because: In honor of my high school English teacher, Mr. GorskiPre-Game Rituals: Chicken parm sandwichMy Most Memorable Moment in College Athletics: Making it to the Elite 8If I Didn't Play College Basketball I Would Play: Rockband on WiiWho Had the Greatest Impact on My Life: My parentsMost People Don't Know This But: I won my third grade geography bee, but never received the Atlas I was promisedMy Best Non-Athletic Talent:    Writing or growing a moustacheIf I Had $1 Billion Dollars I Would: Travel the worldOne Thing I Wish I Were Better At: SkateboardingThe Person I Would Choose to be Stranded on a Deserted Island With: Chris Mccandless