Alexander Maurice Acker (born January 21, 1983) is an American-Italian[1] former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for Pepperdine University. Acker was selected by the Detroit Pistons as the final pick of the 2005 NBA draft and spent two seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Pistons and Los Angeles Clippers.
Acker attended Pepperdine University, where he played college basketball with the Pepperdine Waves, from 2002 to 2005.
After college, Acker was selected by the Detroit Pistons, with the last pick in the second round (60th overall) of the 2005 NBA draft. He played with the Pistons in 5 games, during the 2005–06 season, and he was also assigned to the NBA Development League's Fayetteville Patriots, on February 27, 2006.[2]
From 2006 to 2008, Acker played with the Greek club Olympiacos, for whom he averaged 14.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.8 steals, in 22 games played (2006–07 EuroLeague season), and with the Spanish club AXA FC Barcelona, averaging 5.5 points, 1.9 rebounds and 0.7 assists and 0.7 steals, in 22 games played (2007–08 EuroLeague season).[3]
On September 29, 2008, it was announced that Acker had signed a deal with his former NBA team, the Detroit Pistons.[3] On February 16, 2009, Acker was traded by Detroit to the Los Angeles Clippers, along with a second round draft pick in the 2011 NBA draft, in exchange for a conditional second round draft pick in the 2013 NBA draft.[4] This trade was completed primarily for the Pistons to clear salary cap space, and to open up a roster spot for trade flexibility.[5]
On August 22, 2009, Acker signed with Armani Jeans Milano of Italy's LBA, for the 2009–10 season.[6][7] In September 2010, Acker signed a one-year deal with Le Mans of France's LNB Pro A.[8] On June 30, 2011, he re-signed with Le Mans for one more season.[9]
On October 16, 2012, Acker signed a one-year contract with Asseco Prokom Gdynia of Poland's PLK.[10] On December 21, 2012, he parted ways with Prokom.[11] On February 14, 2013, he signed a two-month deal with Boulazac Dordogne of France.[12]
On May 2, 2013, he signed with ASVEL of France, for the rest of the season.[13] On June 28, 2013, he signed a one-year deal with Limoges of France.[14] With Limoges, he won the 2013–14 LNB Pro A championship, and he was named the MVP of the Finals.[15]
On October 25, 2014, Acker signed with İstanbul BB of Turkey.[16] On December 29, 2014, he returned to France, and signed with his former team, ASVEL Basket.[17] On July 10, 2015, he parted ways with ASVEL.[18]
On August 26, 2015, Acker signed with Sidigas Avellino for the 2015–16 season.[19] On October 27, 2016, Acker signed with Pallacanestro Cantù for the 2016–17 season.[20] On October 25, 2017, Acker signed with Apollon Patras, of the Greek 2nd Division.[21]