Name: Kevin Garnett
Born: May 19, 1976 in Mauldin, SC
Team: Boston Celtics
Position: Small Forward, Power Forward
Height: 6'11"
Weight: 253 lbs.
Nicknames: KG, The Big Ticket, The Kid
High School: Mauldin in Mauldin, SC and Farragut Academy in Chicago, IL
College: None
Drafted: 1995; 1st round, 5th pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves
Teams Played For In Career:
- Minnesota Timberwolves (1995-2007)
- Boston Celtics (2007-Present)
MAJOR AWARDS AND HONORS:
Most Valuable Player
- 2003-04 NBA MVP
NBA All-Star
- 1996-97 All-Star
- 1997-98 All-Star
- 1999-00 All-Star
- 2000-01 All-Star
- 2001-02 All-Star
- 2002-03 All-Star (MVP)
- 2003-04 All-Star
- 2004-05 All-Star
- 2005-06 All-Star
- 2006-07 All-Star
All-NBA Teams
- 1998-99 All-NBA Third Team
- 1999-00 All-NBA First Team
- 2000-01 All-NBA Second Team
- 2001-02 All-NBA Second Team
- 2002-03 All-NBA First Team
- 2003-04 All-NBA First Team
- 2004-05 All-NBA Second Team
- 2006-07 All-NBA Third Team
NBA All-Defensive Teams
- 1999-00 All-Defensive First Team
- 2000-01 All-Defensive First Team
- 2001-02 All-Defensive First Team
- 2002-03 All-Defensive First Team
- 2003-04 All-Defensive First Team
- 2004-05 All-Defensive First Team
- 2005-06 All-Defensive Second Team
- 2006-07 All-Defensive Second Team
NBA All-Rookie Team
- 1995-96 All-Rookie Second Team
Background:
Garnett was the first player to be drafted out of high school in 20 years when the Minnesota Timberwolves called his name in 1995 on draft night. In the following years, players such as Kobe Bryant, Jermaine O’Neal, and Rashard Lewis would also make the jump to the pros straight from high school, albeit with varying degrees of initial success. Since the 2006-07 season, the NBA employs a rule that prevents players from declaring for the draft right after high school and must now be one year out of high school before declaring.
His Career Thus Far:
Versatility is the name of Garnett’s game. He has a remarkable array of skills and is extremely athletic for a big man. Year in and year out, Garnett ranks among the league leaders in rebounds, and his assists totals rivals those of starting point guards on other teams. He is known for having a non-stop motor and being the ultimate teammate.
Team success has eluded Garnett in his career thus far as the Timberwolves couldn't seem to get past the first round of the NBA playoffs. In 2004, Garnett led his team to the best record in the Western Conference, but lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the conference finals.
During the 2007 offseason, Garnett was traded to the Celtics, joining fellow new acquisition Ray Allen and "old" Celtics player Paul Pierce in hopes of reviving the Celtics' tradition of winning of NBA championships.
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