Elton Brand

Elton Brand playing basketball
No. 42 – Philadelphia 76ers
Power forward
Personal information
Born	(1979-03-11) March 11, 1979 (age 33) Cortlandt Manor, New York
Nationality	American
High school	Peekskill
Listed height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight	254 lb (115 kg)
Career information
College	Duke
NBA Draft	1999 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
Selected by the Chicago Bulls
Pro career	1999–present
Career history
1999–2001	Chicago Bulls
2001–2008	Los Angeles Clippers
2008–present	Philadelphia 76ers
Career highlights and awards
NBA co-Rookie of the Year (2000) 2× NBA All-Star (2002, 2006) All-NBA Second Team (2006) NBA All-Rookie First Team (2000) NBA Sportsmanship Award (2006)
Medals Men’s basketball Competitor for  United States FIBA World Championship Bronze 2006 Japan USA FIBA Americas Championship Gold 1999 San Juan USA Gold 2003 San Juan USA Goodwill Games Gold 1998 New York USA

Elton Tyron Brand (born March 11, 1979 in Cortlandt Manor, New York^{[citation needed]}) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was the 1st overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft, selected by the Chicago Bulls.

Early life[link]

At the age of thirteen, Brand enrolled in Peekskill High School, where he was immediately added to the varsity basketball roster. He averaged 40 points and 20 rebounds per game, played AAU basketball with future NBA players Lamar Odom and Ron Artest, and by his senior year he was consistently ranked among the top high school basketball players in the country and was selected as New York State Mr. Basketball. At the same time, he became something of a cult hero in Peekskill, helping his team win two state championships while demonstrating a humble calm and an articulate intelligence. The former Governor of New York, fellow Peekskill native George Pataki, was once asked about being the town's favorite son, and he answered that Peekskill's favorite son was not the Governor but Elton Brand. Recruited heavily after his successful high school career, Brand decided to enroll at Duke University alongside a cluster of other high school stars, including Shane Battier.

College[link]

As a sophomore, Brand was the dominant inside presence for a Duke team that is widely regarded as one of the most talented teams in recent NCAA history. After leading the Blue Devils to the championship game of the Final Four—where they were upset by the University of Connecticut—Brand was named the consensus National Player of the Year. He subsequently decided to leave Duke after his sophomore season and apply for the NBA draft, where he was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the first pick. Brand, along with William Avery and future teammate Corey Maggette, was one of the first players in Duke basketball history to leave school early for the NBA Draft. All three entered the 1999 NBA Draft instead of returning to Duke.

NBA career[link]

Chicago Bulls (1999–2001)[link]

Brand was the number one pick in the NBA draft of June 1999. He was selected by the Chicago Bulls, a team that had struggled since the retirement of superstar Michael Jordan and other key players in the 1990s. Brand quickly adapted to the challenges he faced and emerged as a calming and unifying influence on the fresh group of Bulls players. He seemed unfazed by the big players he faced, barely breaking stride from his Duke totals as he averaged 20.1 points and 10 rebounds per game in his first year. His only frustrations came as a result of the Bulls' losing record—he had come out on the losing end of very few basketball games before coming to Chicago. In May 2000, Brand shared NBA Rookie of the Year honors with Houston Rockets guard Steve Francis.

Through much of the 2000–2001 season Brand was hailed as the linchpin of a possible new Chicago dynasty, as a potential successor to Michael Jordan himself. Brand duplicated his 1999–2000 points-per-game total of 20.1 and, showing equal consistency, improved his rebounds per game from 10.0 to 10.1; his 3.9 offensive rebounds per game were the second best in the NBA.

Los Angeles Clippers (2001–2008)[link]

After two successful seasons with the Bulls, Brand was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2001 for Brian Skinner and the draft rights to Tyson Chandler.^[1] In 2002, Brand became the first Clipper since Danny Manning (in 1994) to be selected to the All-Star team.^[2]

When Brand became a restricted free agent in 2003, the Miami Heat made an offer worth $82 million over six years.^[3] In what was an unprecedented move by team owner Donald Sterling, the Clippers matched Miami's offer and managed to keep Brand a Clipper. Prior to this, the biggest contract Sterling had approved to that point was a five-year, $15 million deal for Eric Piatkowski in 1998.^[4]

In the 2006 NBA season, Brand experienced a personal renaissance. He posted career-highs in points per game (24.7) and field-goal percentage (52.7), while leading the Clippers to a 47–35 record, good enough for the sixth seed in the Western Conference. In February 2006, Brand was selected to the 2006 NBA All-Star Game as a reserve forward for the West. As a result of his individual prowess and the Clippers' recent success, many analysts believed that he was a strong candidate for Most Valuable Player for the 2006 season. Steve Nash went on to win the award. On April 22, 2006, Brand made his playoff debut scoring 21 points against the Denver Nuggets. On May 1, Brand helped lead the team to its first playoff series win since 1976, when the team was known as the Buffalo Braves. Although the Clippers eventually lost in game 7 of the second round (Western Conference Semifinals) against the Phoenix Suns, the Clippers had the best season that their franchise had ever seen. Brand received the Joe Dumars Trophy after being named the 2005–06 NBA Sportsmanship Award winner.^[5]

Following his stellar 05–06 season, Brand regressed somewhat in the following season. His point average in 2006–07 dropped and the Clippers missed the playoffs.

He missed most of the 2007–08 NBA season due to a ruptured left Achilles' tendon. However, Brand made his return to the Clippers' lineup April 2, 2008 after being out since the end of the previous season. He contributed 19 points in his return. He only played in 8 games that season.

Brand opted out of the final year of his contract and became a free agent. However, he said that he hoped to resign with the Clippers. He gave up the $16.4 million on the last year of his contract with the Clippers to test the free agent waters. According to ESPN, sources have reported that Brand chose to opt out from his contract in order to provide Clippers with more payroll flexibility in hopes of strengthening their roster.^[6] This came to fruition when Clippers landed Golden State Warriors star Baron Davis. Briefly, this gave Clippers' management and the media the reassurance that Brand would indeed resign with the team.

Philadelphia 76ers (2008–present)[link]

On July 9, 2008, Brand signed a five-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers,^[7] a team in which Brand had previously stated to have an interest.

It was announced on February 5, 2009 that Brand would have season ending shoulder surgery for the injury he sustained on December 17, 2008. During the game that night against the Milwaukee Bucks, Brand dislocated his shoulder when he was knocked to the floor while going for a rebound. Brand had been coming off of the bench so that he could be slowly worked back into the lineup, but after over a month on the bench and only six games back during which his production was severely limited, the decision was made to go forward with the surgery. The procedure was successfully performed Monday, February 9.

Career transactions[link]

• June 30, 1999: Drafted 1st overall by Chicago Bulls in 1999 NBA Draft.
• June 27, 2001: Traded by Chicago to the Los Angeles Clippers for Brian Skinner and the draft rights to second pick Tyson Chandler.^[8]
• July 9, 2008: Signed as a free agent by Philadelphia 76ers.^[9]

Player profile[link]

The two-time All-Star Brand plays the power forward position, despite being only 6 ft 9 in height and thus usually giving up two inches or more to his direct opponent. However, Brand has established himself as one of the top big power forwards of the NBA, averaging 18.8 points, 9.6 rebounds (3.6 being offensive rebounds) and 1.9 blocks in his career (as of the end of the 2010–11 season).^[10]

Brand makes up for his lack of size like another undersized power forward, Charles Barkley, using his wide and thick body and surprising athleticism for a man his weight in order to out-muscle his opponents. His large wingspan also allows Brand to be a proficient shot blocker.

In his first years in the league, he had a few, but effective and powerful moves underneath the basket which already made him an effective post player. It was not until the beginning of the 2005–06 season when Brand became one of the best power forwards of the NBA. During the off-season prior to the 2005–06 season, he trimmed his weight from 265 lb. down to 254 lb. in order to increase his quickness. He also worked on adding more finesse moves underneath the basket so that he could score without having to utilize power all the time. But most importantly, he worked on his shooting range and developed a dependable 18 ft. jumper. As a result, he raised his scoring by 4.7 points in that season.

Accomplishments[link]

• 2× NBA All-Star: 2002, 2006
• All-NBA:

• Second Team: 2006

• NBA All-Rookie First Team: 2000
• NBA co-Rookie of the Year: 2000 (with Steve Francis)
• 2× NBA regular-season leader, offensive rebounds: 2000 (348), 2002 (396)
• Clippers' Career Leader in Offensive Rebounds (1,480).

Personal life[link]

Elton started the Elton Brand Foundation in the spring of 2000. His foundation is an organization that provides support to worthy causes in Chicago, Illinois; Peekskill, New York; and Durham, North Carolina.

In the summer of 2006, Elton married his longtime girlfriend (and fellow Duke student) Shahara Simmons in North Carolina. Brand also played for Team USA in the 2006 FIBA World Basketball Championships, averaging 8.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.

Brand, alongside his business partner Steve Marlton, is founding member and president of Gibraltar Films,^[11] a company engaged in film investment, acquisition, production, and distribution of motion pictures. The first project of Gibraltar Films was the production of a Vietnam-era prisoner-of-war film Rescue Dawn, directed by Werner Herzog. Brand attended the film's premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.

Elton Brand practices Bikram yoga.

NBA career statistics[link]

Regular season[link]

Playoffs[link]

See also[link]

• List of National Basketball Association career blocks leaders

Notes[link]

External links[link]

• Elton Brand at NBA.com
• Elton Brand at Basketball-Reference.com
• Elton Brand Foundation
• 1999 Oscar Robertson Trophy College Player of the Year
• Gibraltar Films with Elton Brand as co-founding member and President
• Elton Brand Video Conferencing Site

Taj Gibson

No. 22 – Chicago Bulls
Power forward
Personal information
Born	(1985-06-24) June 24, 1985 (age 27) Brooklyn, New York
Nationality	American
High school	Calvary Christian (San Fernando, California)
Listed height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight	225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
College	USC (2006–2009)
NBA Draft	2009 / Round: 1 / Pick: 26th overall
Selected by the Chicago Bulls
Pro career	2009–present
League	NBA
Career history
2009–present	Chicago Bulls
Career highlights and awards
NBA All-Rookie First Team (2010) All-Pac-10 Second Team (2009) All-Pac-10 Third Team (2008)
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Taj Jami Gibson (born June 24, 1985) is a professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Following the 2010 signing of Carlos Boozer, he has played as the second string power forward. Gibson played three seasons of collegiate basketball for the USC Trojans and was selected 26th overall by the Bulls in the 2009 NBA Draft.

Early life[link]

Gibson was born on June 24, 1985 in Brooklyn, N.Y. Gibson began his high school career at Telecommunications High in Brooklyn, N.Y. He then attended Stoneridge Prep as a sophomore and junior in Tarzana, California. During his senior year in 2006, he attended Calvary Christian in San Fernando, California.

College career[link]

Gibson during a practice at the 2009 NCAA Tournament

Gibson played at the University of Southern California, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. As one of the oldest freshmen in the country at age 21 in 2007 he was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman team. He helped beat rival UCLA in 2008.

Gibson was named to the 2009 All-Pac 10 Tournament Team by helping the Trojans winning the Tournament Championship at the Staples Center.^[1]

NBA career[link]

Chicago Bulls[link]

2009-10 season[link]

Gibson declared for the 2009 NBA Draft,^[2] and was selected 26th overall by the Chicago Bulls. He, along with fellow draft pick James Johnson, signed with the Bulls in July, 2009.^[3] Gibson was the starting power forward for most of his rookie season with the Bulls and impressed many people with his high energy and good defense. During the All-Star Weekend, Gibson played in the Rookie Challenge, where the Rookie team won for the first time since 2002. The Bulls made the playoffs securing the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. Taj averaged 7.6 points per game and 7.0 rebounds while the Bulls lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.^[4] At the end of his first season, Taj was selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.^[5]

2010-11 season[link]

During the off-season, the Bulls signed power forward Carlos Boozer, who was expected to start at the beginning of the season rather than Gibson. Prior to the pre-season though, Boozer broke his hand, so Gibson started the first 15 games of the season. After Boozer's return, Gibson moved into a bench role for most of the season. At the end of the season, the Bulls made the playoffs as a 1st seed in the Eastern Conference. On May 10, 2011, Gibson helped his team take a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals against Atlanta, making all of his 11 points in the fourth quarter.^[6]

US Select Team[link]

On May 14, 2012, Gibson was named to the US Select Team, joining the likes of Jeremy Lin, DeMarcus Cousins, and Kyrie Irving in practicing with the US Olympic Team in preparation for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Player profile[link]

Gibson is known for his aggressive play on the defensive end. He is a dangerous shot blocker and superb team defender.

Career statistics[link]

College[link]

NBA[link]

Regular season[link]

Playoffs[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• NBA.com profile
• USC Bio

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (February 2011)

Andre Iguodala

Iguodala with the 76ers
No. 9 – Philadelphia 76ers
Shooting guard / Small forward
Personal information
Born	(1984-01-28) January 28, 1984 (age 28) Springfield, Illinois
Nationality	American
High school	Lanphier HS
Listed height	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight	207 lb (94 kg)
Career information
College	Arizona
NBA Draft	2004 / Round: 1 / Pick: 9th overall
Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers
Pro career	2004–present
Career history
2004–present	Philadelphia 76ers
Career highlights and awards
NBA All-Star (2012) NBA All-Rookie First Team (2005) Rookie Challenge MVP (2006) NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2011) 2010 FIBA World Champion (2010)

Andre Tyler Iguodala (born January 28, 1984) is an American professional basketball small forward with the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Iguodala is listed at 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) and 207 lbs. (94 kg). Iguodala played his high school basketball for Lanphier High School in Springfield, Illinois. He later attended the University of Arizona, playing for two years before declaring for the 2004 NBA Draft, where he was drafted 9th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers. Iguodala is a swingman, meaning he can play the shooting guard or small forward positions. As an NBA player Iguodala is known for his ability to defend, his great athleticism and his ability to run his team playing the role of a point forward.