He is a shooting guard with NBA skills. He is a superb athlete, with speed, quickness, reflexes and elevation. He has range on his shot, he is a tough 1 on 1 player, he is creative in any two man game, and he is an exceptional passer who uses that ability as a team player. His only real problem when he was younger was consistency, which was due to youth and needing experience, as he was always a worker and had always a team mentality. Raja Bell was the leading scorer of FIU, a 6-5 senior forward who scored 20 or more points 14 times his senior season on his way to 481 points, fifth best in program history. A transfer from Boston University, where he was chosen North Atlantic Conference Rookie of the year, Bell was voted All-League and All-Newcomer in the TAAC after sitting out the previous season. ''Raja is a tremendous athlete” , said his coach,'' he can score in so many different ways, and he is capable of playing above the basket. And he shoots especially well when changing ends of the floor.'' Note 99-00- a 4th round selection 29th overall of the Yakima Sun Kings in the 1999 CBA college draft. Had a very strong rookie season, reaching the finals where he excelled with three 20 plus games in the CBA play-offs. Signed by the San Antonio Spurs early in 00-01 season he was released in late November and signed by the Yakima Sun Kings where he proved to be one of the top CBA players. Signed a two year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. On the first year with the Sixers, Bell turned out to be the surprise of the NBA finals. Signed with Dallas for the 2002-03, where he was the defensive specialist who always had the job of guarding the opposing team's best guard. Moved to the Dallas Mavericks in 2002 and signed with Utah Jazz in 2003. Signed with the Phoenix Suns in 2005 where he was one of the top players of the team together with Steve Nash and Amare Stodamire. In the 2007/08 season Ranked seventh in the NBA with 176 three-point field goals made… Made at least two three-pointers in 48 games… After just two-plus seasons in Phoenix, Bell is ranked in the top-five in 3FGM (578) in franchise history… His 578 three-pointers over the last three seasons were the second-most in the NBA behind only Ray Allen (614)… Became just the 17th player in NBA history to shoot 40 percent from long range with 600 three-pointers made… Shot at least 40 percent from long range for the fifth time in the last six seasons… Phoenix was 12-0 when Bell scored 20 or more points… Named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team… In the 2008 NBA Playoffs, averaged 13.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.2 apg and 65% 3FG… Scored 27 points in the Opening Round Game 4 win, equaling his total points from the first three games of the series. Traded to the Charlotte Bobcats in Dec.2008. From 2010 to 2012 he played with Utah Jazz.
