Look up Antonio in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Antonio is a Greek, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish first name. In the English language it is translated as Anthony, and has some female derivatives: Antonia, Antónia, Antonieta, Antonietta, and Antonella. It also has some male derivatives, such as Anthonio, Antonis, Antoñito, Antonino, Antonello, Tonio, Toño, Toñín, Tonino, Nantonio, Totò, Tó, Toni and Toñito. The Portuguese equivalent is António or Antônio. In old Portuguese the form Antão was also used. The Greek versions of the name are Antonios and Antonis (Αντώνης).

The name derives from Antonius, a well known Latin family name, probably of Etruscan origin. Antonius has been said to derive from the Ancient Greek God "Adonis". This, however, is quite unlikely, since the Greek letter "δ" (delta) is equivalent to the Latin letter "d" and there is no recorded transformation of "δ" or "d" to "nt". The Roman general Marcus Antonius held that the origin of the name was Anthon, son of Hercules. This myth, recorded by Plutarch, was probably created by Marcus Antonius himself, in order to claim divine parentage. The name was in use throughout the Roman world which, at its height, comprised the whole of the Mediterranean and much of Europe as well as the Near and Middle East. When the Roman Empire became Christian, the name continued in popularity because of the many great saints who bore the name. Later, the name was spread all around the world as Christianity was introduced into indigenous populations (e.g. the Far East, the Americas, and Sub-Saharan Africa).

Derived from the Latin Antonius, an old Roman family name of unknown etymology. “Priceless” and “of inestimable worth” are popular folk definitions of the name. Var: Anton, Antonio. Short: Toni, Tonio, Tony.

Famous male bearers[link]

Antonio[link]

• Antonio Abetti, Italian astronomer
• Antonio Abondio, Italian sculptor
• Antonio Aguilar, Mexican singer
• Antonio Bamboccio, Italian painter and sculptor
• Antonio Banderas, Spanish actor
• Antonio R. Barceló, Puerto Rican politician
• Antonio Bassolino, Italian politician
• Antonio Barolini, Italian writer
• Antonio Bazzini, Italian violinist and composer
• Antonio di Benedetto, Argentine writer
• Antonio Beretta, first mayor of Milan under the Kingdom of Italy from 1860 to 1867
• Antonio Bonazza, Italian sculptor
• Antonio Bosio, Italian scholar
• Antonio Broccoli Porto, Puerto Rican artist
• Antonio Bartolomeo Bruni, Italian violist, composer and conductor
• Antonio Cabán Vale, Puerto Rican singer
• Antonio Caldara, Italian composer
• Antonio Canaletto, Italian painter
• Antonio Candreva, Italian footballer
• Antonio Canova, Italian sculptor
• Antonio Benedetto Carpano, Italian distiller, famous for having invented the Vermouth and consequently the apéritif
• Antonio Marziale Carracci, Italian painter
• Antonio Cassano, Italian footballer
• Antonio Cavallucci, Italian painter
• Antonio Cervantes, Colombian boxer
• Antonio Citterio, Italian furniture designer
• Antonio Conte, Italian former footballer
• Antonio Corradini, Italian sculptor
• Antonio Correa Cotto, Puerto Rican criminal
• Antonio da Correggio, Italian painter
• Antonio Corti, Argentine boxer
• Antonio Davis, US Basketball player
• Antonio di Natale, Italian footballer
• Antonio Dixon, American football player
• Antonio de La Gandara, painter
• Antonio de la Rúa, former first son of Argentina
• Antonio de Nigris (1978–2009), Mexican footballer
• Antonio Escobar Núñez, Spanish music composer, music producer, sound designer
• Antonio Esparragoza, Venezuelan boxer
• Antonio Ferreira de Oliveira Junior, Brazilian soccer player
• Antonio Floro Flores, Italian footballer
• Antonio Fogazzaro, Italian novelist
• Antonio Gamoneda, Spanish poet
• Antonio Garay, American football players (San Diego Chargers)
• Antonio Gates, American player of American football
• Antonio Gherardi, Italian painter, architect, and sculptor
• Antonio Ghislieri, better known as Pope Pius V
• Antonio Gramsci, Italian writer, politician and political theorist
• Antonio Guzmán Blanco, former Venezuelan president
• Antonio Hernández, Spanish film director and screenwriter
• Antonio Inoki, Japanese wrestler
• Antonio Janigro, Italian cellist and conductor
• Antonio Carlos Jobim, Brazilian creator of the bossa nova
• Antonio Langella, Italian footballer
• Antonio Latimer, Puerto Rican basketball player
• Antonio Lo Surdo (1880–1949), Italian physicist and co-discoverer of the Stark effect
• Antonio Lombardo, Italian sculptor
• Antonio Lopez, United States illustrator who signed his work "Antonio."^[1]
• Antonio Lotti, Italian composer
• Antonio Maceo Grajales, Cuban general
• Antonio Machado, Spanish poet
• Antonio Mancini, Italian painter
• Antonio Manetti, Italian mathematician and architect
• Antonio Margarito, American boxer
• Antonio Martino, Italian politician
• Antonio McDyess, United States basketball player
• Antonio Tobias Mendez, American sculptor
• Antonio Meneses, Brazilian cellist
• Antonio Meucci, Italian-American inventor
• Antonio Monda, Italian film director
• Antonio Negri, Italian philosopher
• Antonio Nocerino, Italian footballer
• Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira and his brother Antônio Rogério Nogueira, both Brazilian mixed martial artists
• Antonio Pantojas, Puerto Rican actor
• Antonio Paoli, Puerto Rican opera singer
• Antonio Pappano, British conductor
• Antonio S. Pedreira, Puerto Rican poet
• Antonio Pigafetta, Italian explorer
• Antonio Pignatelli, better known as Pope Innocent XII
• Antonio Pollaiuolo, Italian painter
• Antonio Prieto, Spanish long-distance runner
• Antonio Puerta, Spanish international footballer
• Antonio de los Reyes Correa, Puerto Rican military hero
• Antonio Rivera, Puerto Rican boxer
• Antonio Rodríguez Balinas, Puerto Rican U.S. Army General
• Antonio Rosmini-Serbati, Italian philosopher
• Antonio Rossi, Italian canoer
• Antonio Roybal, Spanish American painter
• Antonio Ruiz Soler, Flamenco dancer
• Antonio Rukavina, Serbian footballer
• Antonio Sabàto, Jr., Italian-American model and actor
• Antonio Sacchini, Italian composer
• António de Oliveira Salazar, 20th Century Portuguese Dictator
• Antonio Salieri, Austrian Court Composer, famous "mediocre" rival of Mozart
• António Salvador, Portuguese long-distance runner
• Antonio Sánchez, Mexican musician
• Antonio Sánchez, Puerto Rican show host
• Antonio Segni, Italian politician
• Antonio Semini, Italian painter
• Antonio Silio, Argentine long-distance runner
• Antonio Starabba, Marchese di Rudinì, Prime Minister of Italy between 1891 and 1892 and from 1896 until 1898
• Antonio Stradivari, Italian luthier
• Antonio Tabucchi, Italian writer
• Antonio Tarver, United States boxer
• Antonio Travi, Italian painter
• Antonio Valero de Bernabe, Puerto Rican, helped Simón Bolívar liberate South America
• Antonio Maria Maraggiano, Italian sculptor
• Antonio Maria Vassallo, Italian painter
• Antonio Valencia, Ecuadorian footballer
• Antonio Vivaldi, Venetian composer
• Antonio Zarro, Academy Award-winning Italian screenwriter

Antonio may also refer to:

• The Great Antonio, Canadian actor

Antonio as middle name[link]

• Carlo Antonio Buffagnotti, Italian painter
• Carlo Antonio Tavella, Italian painter
• Eugene Antonio Marino, first African American archbishop in the United States
• Francesco Antonio Franzoni, Italian sculptor
• Giacomo Antonio Arland, Italian painter
• Gioachino Antonio Rossini, Italian composer
• Giovanni Antonio Amadeo, Italian sculptor
• Giovanni Antonio Dosio, Italian architect and sculptor
• Giovanni Antonio Facchinetti, better known as Pope Innocent IX
• Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini, Italian painter
• Giovanni Antonio Scopoli, Italian-Austrian physician and naturalist
• José Antonio de la Garza, Mexican-American politician
• Juan Antonio Marichal, Dominican baseball player
• Luis Antonio Valencia, Ecadorian footballer
• Marco Antonio Barrera, Mexican boxer
• Marco Antonio Etcheverry, Bolivian soccer player
• Marco Antonio Muñiz, Puerto Rican singer, better known as Mark Anthony
• Marco Antonio Regil, Mexican show host
• Marco Antonio Solís, Mexican singer
• Nicola Antonio Zingarelli, Italian composer
• Tomaso Antonio Vitali, Italian composer

Known as Tony[link]

• Tony Alvarez (baseball), Major League Baseball center fielder
• Tony Alvarez (singer), Cuban singer
• Tony Alvarez (actor), Spanish-Australian actor
• Tony Ayala, Mexican-American boxer
• Tony Baltazar, Mexican-American boxer
• Tony Campos, Mexican-American musician
• Tony Danza, Italian-American boxer and actor
• Tony Fratto, Deputy Press Secretary
• Tony Plana, Cuban actor
• Tony Romo, American football quarterback
• Tony Sanchez, Texas businessman
• Tony Vega, Puerto Rican singer
• Tony Pena, retired Major League Baseball player
• Tony Perez, Hall of Fame Major League Baseball player

Fictional characters[link]

Antonio may refer to the fictional characters:

• Antonio (Merchant of Venice), the title character in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice
• Antonio, a character in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing
• Antonio, a character in Shakespeare's The Tempest
• Antonio, a character in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
• Antonio Bologna, a character in Webster's The Duchess of Malfi
• Antonio, a character on the television show Monster Warriors
• Tony Montana, the main character in the film Scarface (1983 film)
• Antonio, a character in the video game Assassin's Creed II
• Antonio the male otter, a character in the animated TV show The Penguins of Madagascar
• Antonio Fernández Carriedo, the personification of Spain in Axis Powers Hetalia

Other uses[link]

• MV Antonios, a number of motor vessels with this or a similar name

References[link]

José Pascual Antonio Aguilar Barraza^[1] (May 17, 1919 – June 19, 2007) most commonly known as Antonio Aguilar, nicknamed "El Charro de México", was a Mexican film actor, singer, producer and screenwriter. During his career, he made over 150 albums, which sold 25 million copies, and made 167 movies.^[2] Aguilar was best known in cinema for his participation in films concerning the Mexican Revolution, its heroes, and its folk songs or corridos. He won the Premio ACE for Best Actor for his eponymous role in Emiliano Zapata.^[3] Aguilar was also awarded with the Special Golden Ariel for his invaluable contribution and spreading of Mexican cinema.^[3]

He married actress-singer Flor Silvestre after meeting her during the filming of a motion picture. Their sons, Antonio Aguilar Jr. and Pepe Aguilar also entered into the film and music industry. Antonio Aguilar along with his family are known together as La Dinastía Aguilar, or "The Aguilar Dynasty".

Antonio de Jesús: Dueño de Perapple

Acting career[link]

Aguilar began his acting career in 1952 during the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. He is credited with popularising la charrería, considered to have originated in Mexico, to international audiences.^[2]

Antonio Aguilar was the first Mexican performer to mix rodeos and concerts while touring his show in Latin America and the United States.^[4] He made 167 movies and has been compared to American actors like Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, and Ronald Reagan.

In the 1950s, Aguilar was cast in a series of films centered on rural hero "Mauricio Rosales" in El rayo justiciero (1955), La barranca de muerte (1955), La sierra del terror (1956), La huella del chacal (1956), La pantera negra (1957), La guarida del buitre (1958), and Los muertos no hablan (1958). A total of seven low-budget ranchera films produced by Rosas Films S.A.

Aguilar gained cinematic notice when cast in Ismael Rodríguez's Tierra de hombres in 1956. Other collaborations with Rodríguez include La Cucaracha (1959) and Ánimas Trujano (1962), where he received starring roles. Amongst his best ranchera films are Yo... el aventurero (1959), Caballo prieto azabache (1968) El ojo de vidrio (1969), and Valente Quintero (1973). Aguilar appeared in American western films like 1969's The Undefeated starring John Wayne.^[2] He also made a memorable starring role alongside Flor Silvestre in Triste recuerdo (1991).

Aguilar's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

For contributions to the recording industry, Antonio Aguilar Barraza was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7056 Hollywood Boulevard.^[5] He was similarly honored with his handprints and star on the Paseo de las Luminarias in Mexico City for his work in movies and in the recording industry.

Musical career[link]

Antonio Aguilar began his recording career in 1950, eventually making over 150 albums and selling more than 25 million records. He was known for his corridos with some of his best known songs, including "Gabino Barrera", "Caballo Prieto Azabache", "Albur de Amor", and "Un Puño De Tierra".^[2] Antonio was also largely responsible for the renewed popularity of the tambora music in the mid 1980s, when he single-handedly resuscitated the genre with the hit "Triste Recuerdo". To this day he has been the only Hispanic artist to sell out the Madison Square Garden of New York City for six consecutive nights on 1997.^[6][7]

Family[link]

Ángela and Jesús, Antonio's parents, had six other children: José Roque, Salvador (dec.), Guadalupe (dec.), Luis Tomás (dec.), Mariano (dec.) and Josefina. Aguilar was married to actress Flor Silvestre (born Guillermina Jiménez Chagoya), and one of their children, José "Pepe" Aguilar, is among Mexico's most popular modern singers. In addition to Pepe Aguilar, he had another child with Flor Silvestre who is the eldest, Antonio Aguilar, Jr. Aguilar's grandchildren include Emiliano, Aneliz, Leonardo, and Ángela are Pepe Aguilar's children. María José and Flor Susana are Antonio Aguilar Jr's. children.^[2]

Death[link]

Portrait of Antonio Aguilar at his funeral.

On June 18, 2007, Doctors announced that Antonio was no longer responding to treatment and was expected to pass away before the end of the night. On June 19, 2007, the doctor spoke out to the media that Aguilar was still alive, and his body was responding to the medication but was still in critical condition. While there, the family received visits from many famous people including Vicente Fernández.

Aguilar died on June 19, 2007 at 11:45 p.m. from pneumonia. His coffin was carried through the streets of Zacatecas, the state capital, and was honored at a memorial service attended by hundreds at a church there.

His body was then taken to the hamlet of Tayahua, about 100 kilometers (62 mi) to the south, where residents waited in the streets to bid Aguilar a final farewell before he was buried at his family's "El Soyate" ranch nearby, the government news agency Notimex reported.

Obituaries appeared in many newspapers, including Los Angeles Times (US), New York Times (US), Washington Post (US), The Guardian (UK) and The Independent (UK). News of Antonio’s death were reported in newspapers of many Spanish-speaking countries, including Guatemala (El Periodico), Honduras (La Tribuna), El Salvador (El Diario de Hoy), Nicaragua (El Nuevo Diario), Costa Rica (Diario Extra), Venezuela (Correo del Caroní), Peru (Crónica Viva), Colombia (El Tiempo), Ecuador (El Diario) and Chile (El Mercurio).

References[link]

External links[link]

• Antonio Aguilar at the Internet Movie Database
• Antonio Aguilar's movies at TKcine
• Pepe Aguilar's website - Antonio Aguilar's son
• Obituary in the Houston Chronicle

José Antonio Domínguez Banderas (born 10 August 1960), better known as Antonio Banderas, is a Spanish film actor, film director, film producer and singer. He began his acting career at age 19 with a series of films by director Pedro Almodóvar and then appeared in high-profile Hollywood films, especially in the 1990s, including Assassins, Evita, Interview with the Vampire, Philadelphia, Desperado, The Mask of Zorro, Spy Kids, the Shrek sequels and Puss in Boots.

Early life[link]

Banderas was born in Málaga, Andalucía, Spain, in 1960, to Ana Banderas, a school teacher, and José Domínguez, a police officer in the Guardia Civil.^[1][2] He has a younger brother, Javier. Although the family name is Domínguez, he took his mother's surname as his stage name.^[3] As a child, he wanted to become a professional football player until a broken foot sidelined his dreams at the age of fifteen. He went on to enroll in some drama classes, eventually joining a theater troupe that toured all over Spain. His work in the theater, and his performances on the streets, eventually landed him a spot with the National Theatre of Spain.^[4]

Career[link]

Early work, 1982–90[link]

His acting career began at the age of 19,^{[citation needed]} when he worked in small theatres during Spain’s post-dictatorial cultural movement known as the 'Movida'.^[5] While performing with the theatre, Banderas caught the attention of Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, who cast the young actor in his 1982 film debut, Labyrinth of Passion. Five years later he went on to appear in the director's Law of Desire, making headlines with his performance as a gay man, which required him to engage in his first male-to-male onscreen kiss. After Banderas appeared in Almodóvar's 1986 Matador, the director cast him in his internationally acclaimed 1988 film, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. The recognition Banderas gained for his role increased two years later when he starred in Almodóvar's controversial Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! as a mental patient who kidnaps a porn star (Victoria Abril) and keeps her tied up until she returns his love.^[4] It was his breakthrough role in Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!, that helped spur him on to Hollywood.^[6] Banderas' having become a regular feature of Almodóvar's movies all throughout the 1980s, Almodóvar is credited for helping launch Banderas's international career.^[7]

Breakthrough, 1991–94[link]

In 1991 Madonna introduced Banderas to Hollywood in the documentary film Madonna: Truth or Dare. In the film, Madonna says she wants to seduce Banderas even though she knows he was married.

The following year, still speaking minimal English, he began acting in U.S. films. Despite having to learn all his lines phonetically, Banderas still managed to turn in a critically praised performance as a struggling musician in his first American drama film, The Mambo Kings (1992).

Banderas then broke through to mainstream American audiences in the film, Philadelphia (1993), as the gay lover of AIDS-afflicted lawyer Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks). The film's success earned Banderas wide recognition, and the following year was given a role in Neil Jordan's high-profile adaptation of Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire, which allowed him to share the screen with Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt.^[4]

Worldwide recognition, 1995–present[link]

He appeared in several major Hollywood releases in 1995, including a starring role in the Robert Rodriguez-directed film Desperado and the antagonist on the action film Assassins, co-starred with Sylvester Stallone. In 1996, he starred alongside Madonna in Evita, an adaptation of the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and in Tim Rice in which he played the narrator, Che, a role played by David Essex in the original 1978 West End production. He also made success with his role as the legendary masked swordsman Zorro in the 1998 film The Mask of Zorro.

In 2001, he collaborated with Robert Rodriguez who cast him in the Spy Kids film trilogy. He also starred in Michael Cristofer's Original Sin alongside Angelina Jolie the same year. In 2002, he starred in Brian De Palma's Femme Fatale opposite Rebecca Romijn-Stamos and in Julie Taymor's Frida with Salma Hayek. In 2003, he starred in the last installment of the trilogy Once Upon A Time In Mexico (in which he appeared with Johnny Depp and Salma Hayek). Banderas' debut as a director was the poorly-received Crazy in Alabama (1999), starring his wife Melanie Griffith.^[8]

In 2003, he returned to the musical genre, appearing to great acclaim in the Broadway revival of Maury Yeston's musical Nine, based on the film 8½, playing the prime role originated by the late Raúl Juliá. Banderas won both the Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk awards, and was nominated for the Tony Award for best actor in a musical.^[9] His performance is preserved on the Broadway cast recording released by PS Classics. The following year (2004), he received the Rita Moreno HOLA Award for Excellence from the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA).

Banderas in June 2007

His voice role as Puss in Boots in Shrek 2, Shrek the Third and the last film in the Shrek franchise, Shrek Forever After, helped make the character popular on the family film circuit. In 2005, he reprised his role as Zorro in The Legend of Zorro, though this was not as successful as The Mask of Zorro. In 2006, he starred in Take the Lead, a high-set movie in which he played a ballroom dancing teacher. That year, he directed his second film El camino de los ingleses (English title: Summer Rain), and also received the L.A. Latino International Film Festival's "Gabi" Lifetime Achievement Award on 14 October.^[10] He hosted the 600th episode of Saturday Night Live (during season 31).

He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 6801 Hollywood Blvd. in 2005.

In 2011, the horror thriller The Skin I Live In marked the return of Banderas to Pedro Almodóvar, the Spanish director who launched his international career. The two had not worked together since 1990 (Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!). In The Skin I Live In he breaks out of the "Latin Lover" mold from his Hollywood work and stars as a calculating revenge-seeking plastic surgeon following the rape of his daughter. According to the Associated Press Banderas' performance is among his strongest in recent memory.^[7] He again lent his voice to Puss in Boots, this time as the protagonist of the Shrek spin-off family film, Puss in Boots. This film reunited Banderas with Salma Hayek for the sixth time.^[11]

Business activities[link]

He has invested some of his film earnings in Andalusian products, which he promotes in Spain and the US.^[12] He owns 50% of a winery in Villalba de Duero, Burgos, Spain, called Anta Banderas, which produces red and rosé wines.^[13]

He performed a voice-over for a computer-animated bee which can be seen in the United States in television commercials for Nasonex,^[14] an allergy medication, and was seen in the 2007 Christmas advertising campaign for Marks & Spencer, a British retailer.^[15]

He is a veteran of the perfume industry. The actor has been working with fragrance and beauty multinational company Puig for over ten years becoming one of the brand's most successful representatives. Banderas and Puig have successfully promoted a number of fragrances so far – Diavolo, Diavolo for Women, Mediterraneo, Spirit, and Spirit for Women. After the success of Antonio for Men and Blue Seduction for Men in 2007, launched his latest Blue Seduction for Women the following year.^[16]

Personal life[link]

Banderas with Melanie Griffith at the Shrek Forever After premiere.

Banderas divorced his first wife, Ana Leza, and on 14 May 1996, married American actress Melanie Griffith in a private, low-key ceremony in London.^[5][17] They had met a year earlier while shooting Two Much.^[18] Both Griffith and Banderas were married to other people when they first met.^[5] They have a daughter, Stella Banderas, who appeared with her parents in the 1999 film Crazy in Alabama, in which Griffith starred and which Banderas directed.^[12] In 2002, the couple's dedication to philanthropy was recognized when they received the 'Stella Adler Angel Award' for their extensive charity work.^[5]

In 1996, Banderas appeared among other figures of Spanish culture in a video supporting the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party lists in the general election.^[19]

He is a long time supporter of the Málaga CF.^[20]

He is an officer (mayordomo de trono) of a Roman Catholic religious brotherhood in Málaga and travels, with his wife and daughter, during Holy Week to take part in the processions,^[21] although in an interview with People magazine Banderas had once described himself as an agnostic.^[22] In May 2010, Banderas received his honorary doctorate from the University of Málaga in the city where he was born.^[6]

Filmography[link]

Actor[link]

Director and producer[link]

Theater[link]

See also[link]

• List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Antonio Banderas

• Antonio Banderas appointed Goodwill Ambassador at Bay Ledger
• Antonio Banderas at the Internet Movie Database
• Antonio Banderas at the TCM Movie Database
• Antonio Banderas at the Internet Broadway Database
• Antonio Banderas at Emmys.com

Chris Bosh

Bosh with the Miami Heat in 2011
No. 1 – Miami Heat
Power forward
Personal information
Born	(1984-03-24) March 24, 1984 (age 28) Dallas, Texas
Nationality	American
High school	Lincoln HS (Dallas, Texas)
Listed height	6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight	235 lb (107 kg)[a]
Career information
College	Georgia Tech
NBA Draft	2003 / Round: 1 / Pick: 4th overall
Selected by the Toronto Raptors
Pro career	2003–present
Career history
2003–2010	Toronto Raptors
2010–present	Miami Heat
Career highlights and awards
7× NBA All-Star (2006–2012) All-NBA Second Team (2007) NBA All-Rookie First Team (2004)
Medals Men's basketball Competitor for the  United States Olympic Games Gold 2008 Beijing Team competition FIBA World Championship Bronze 2006 Japan Team competition FIBA Americas U18 Championship Bronze 2002 Isla Margarita Team competition

Christopher Wesson Bosh (born March 24, 1984) is an American professional basketball player who plays power forward for the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

A high school "Mr. Basketball" in Texas, Bosh left college at Georgia Tech after one season with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets men's basketball team to enter the 2003 NBA Draft. He was selected fourth overall by the Toronto Raptors in a very competitive draft class. While at Toronto, Bosh emerged as one of the young stars in the league; he became a five-time NBA All-Star, was named to the All-NBA second team once, appeared for the US national team (with whom he won a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics), and took over former fan-favorite Vince Carter as the face and leader of the Raptors franchise. In the 2006–07 season, Bosh led the Raptors to their first NBA Playoffs berth in five years, and their first ever division title. He left Toronto as its all-time leader in points, rebounds, blocks, double doubles, free throws made and attempted, and minutes played.

Bosh was nicknamed "CB4" by Toronto Raptors play-by-play commentator Chuck Swirsky, a combination of Bosh's initials and then jersey number.^[1] Seeking to promote sports and education amongst youths in Dallas and Toronto, Bosh set up the Chris Bosh Foundation and regularly speaks to youths about the benefits of reading.

Early life[link]

Born in Dallas, Texas, to Noel and Freida Bosh,^[2] Chris Bosh grew up in Hutchins, Texas.^[3] A family-oriented person, Bosh often played basketball in the house with his younger brother, Joel.^[4] By four years of age, he began learning how to dribble a basketball in the gym where his dad played pick-up games.^[5] Although Bosh was always tall since youth and this allowed him to out-rebound others in basketball games,^[6] he only started learning the game around fourth grade at a playground near his grandmother's house.^[4] Apart from basketball, Bosh also played baseball up until high school, preferring to play as first baseman.^[4] Growing up, Bosh names his parents as the biggest influences on his personality and considered NBA superstar Kevin Garnett as his favorite athlete, modeling his play after him.^[6] Academically, Bosh always did well in school^[7] but he began to garner significant attention from college recruiters when he led Lincoln High School in Dallas to the number one ranking in the country and the USA Today National Championship with a perfect 40–0 season.^[8]

The teenager went on to lead Lincoln High to win the Class 4A state title before 16,990 fans as he racked up 23 points, 17 rebounds and nine blocks. Bosh was subsequently named High School Player of the Year by Basketball America, Powerade Player of the Year in Texas, a First-team all-American by Parade, McDonald's and EA Sports, a Second-team all-American by USA Today and SLAM Magazine, a First-team all-state player, and "Mr. Basketball" in Texas by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.^[8] With his combination of grades and basketball skills, Bosh was on a number of college recruiting lists. The University of Florida and the University of Memphis made serious attempts, but it was Paul Hewitt, coach of the Georgia Tech, who made the best impression. Bosh felt Hewitt would look out for his best interests and respect his aspirations to play professional basketball; moreover, Georgia Tech's transition offense impressed the teenager.^[7]

Bosh eventually chose to follow the footsteps of his cousin and aunt and attended Georgia Tech to study graphic design and computer imaging, and subsequently, management.^[4] There, he led the Yellow Jackets in averaging 15.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 31 games, and led the Atlantic Coast Conference in field goal percentage (.560), joining Antawn Jamison as the only freshmen ever to do so.^[2] Bosh originally intended to complete his degree, but by the end of the 2002–03 season, his strong performances convinced him that he was ready for the NBA.^[7] He left Georgia Tech after his freshman season^[2] and entered the 2003 NBA Draft. Although Bosh said in future interviews that he misses his college days, he believes he made the right decision to pursue a professional career.^[6] He also intends to obtain a college degree in the future,^[5] to fulfill a promise made to his mother.^[4]

NBA career[link]

Toronto Raptors[link]

Bosh shooting a free throw during a game in the 2005–06 season

Rookie year (2003–04)[link]

In a strong draft class including future All-Stars LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwyane Wade,^[7] Bosh was selected fourth overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2003 NBA Draft and was signed on July 8, 2003.^[9] Prior to his signing, however, other NBA teams made offers for Bosh as they knew Toronto needed a veteran scorer, and Raptors star Vince Carter himself pressed for a trade. General Manager Glen Grunwald turned everyone down.^[7]

In his rookie season Bosh was forced to play out of position as the Raptors' starting center after Antonio Davis was traded to the Chicago Bulls.^[10] Night in and night out the wiry teenager battled against opponents who had a significant size and strength advantage over him.^[10] Bosh—who cited teammate Michael Curry as his mentor^[6]—was often praised by his coaches for his heart, and willingness to play through pain and injuries resulting from his lack of body strength compared to some of the league's strong forwards and centers.^[11] Bosh's contributions were not unnoticed by teammates either,^[12] as he averaged 11.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 33.5 minutes in 75 games, leading all rookies in rebounding and blocks, and setting a franchise record for most rebounds in a rookie season with 557.^[2] Bosh was rewarded by being selected to the All-Rookie First Team for the 2003–04 season.^[2]

Heralded as the new hope (2004–06)[link]

Bosh and his team mates in a 2005–06 game against the Milwaukee Bucks. From left: Pape Sow, Bosh, Mike James and Morris Peterson.

With the departure of the disenchanted franchise face of the team, Vince Carter, in December 2004, Bosh was simultaneously anointed as the new leader around whom Toronto would build.^[13] In the remaining games following Carter's departure, the power forward averaged 18.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 38.1 minutes per game, improving in every major statistical category.^[2] He was awarded his first ever NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played between 3 and 9 January 2005.^[2] As the season drew to a close, analysts predicted that Bosh would become an All-Star one day.^[14][15] Bosh ended the 2004–05 season as the leading scorer and leading rebounder for the team on 21 and 46 occasions respectively.^[2]

Prior to the 2005–06 season, Bosh was named as one of Toronto's team captains. Bosh continued to work on his game as he consistently chalked up double doubles, leading the team in scoring, rebounding, and field goal percentage for the first half of the season.^[16] On February 9, 2006, for the first time in his career, Bosh was selected to play in the 2006 NBA All-Star Game in Houston, Texas as a reserve forward for the Eastern Conference.^[2] He was only the third Raptor to make an All-Star game, after Carter and Antonio Davis. Bosh's selection was just three days after he was named NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the second time in his career.^[16] In March 2006, following a season-ending injury to Bosh,^[17] the Raptors hit a 1–10 skid.^[18] This highlighted Bosh's importance as the centerpiece of the offense, as well as the leader of the team. The Raptors finished the season 27–55 and Bosh averaged 22.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.^[19]

Despite a major off-season revamp of the Raptors roster—including the departure of good friends Mike James and Charlie Villanueva—Bosh officially signed a three-year contract extension with a player option for a fourth year on July 14, 2006.^[20] The deal was reportedly worth US$65 million over four years.^[21] Upon signing the contract, Bosh said "I think the future is very positive for the franchise... change was needed... we have a lot of guys who just want to win and are willing to work hard."^[21] During the same press conference, Bosh also announced a donation of $1,000,000 to a Toronto charity, known as Community Legacy Programs.^[20]

Bosh improved his numbers in ppg and rpg in the 2006–07 season and had to lead a vastly different team from the 2005–06 roster.

Leader of the division champions (2006–07)[link]

After a shaky start to the Raptors' 2006–07 campaign, the Raptors managed to surpass the 0.500 mark as the All-Star break approached.^[22] Bosh's play and leadership were pivotal to this run and as an increasing recognition of his abilities, on January 25, 2007, he was named an All-Star starter for the East in the 2007 NBA All-Star Game. Bosh received the second highest number of votes among all Eastern Conference forwards.^[23] This was his first All-Star start and second overall All-Star appearance, having averaged over 22 points and 11 rebounds in the first half of the season.^[23] On January 31, 2007, in a game against the Washington Wizards, Bosh scored a 65-foot (20 m) buzzer-beating shot to end the third quarter of the game.^[24] He shot 15-of-15 after missing his first four shots.^[25] Bosh's in-form streak enabled him to be selected Eastern Conference Player of the Month for January 2007.^[26] He had averaged 25.4 points and 9.1 rebounds while leading the Raptors to a 10–5 record in that month. On February 7, 2007, Bosh's career-high 41 points prompted the home fans to chant "MVP"—an unprecedented event in the Air Canada Centre.^[27] Two days later, Bosh collected 29 points and 11 rebounds against the Los Angeles Lakers, shooting 10-of-10 in the second half.^[28]

On March 28, 2007, Bosh became the new franchise record holder for double doubles in a home win against the Miami Heat.^[29] He was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the third time in his career shortly after,^[30] having led Toronto to clinch their first NBA Playoffs berth in five years. Toronto went on to win its first ever division title, and concluded the regular season with a 47–35 record, including a 30–11 home record, both franchise records.^[31] As third seed, the Raptors played sixth seed New Jersey Nets in the first round of the 2007 NBA Playoffs. The series drew much media attention as Carter, who left had Toronto under acrimonious circumstances, was back at the ACC as a Net.^[32] In the opening game, while Carter was constantly booed by the home crowd and was not an offensive threat, Toronto's inexperience was evident as they struggled offensively and were down 65–78 going into the fourth quarter.^[32] A late rally by Toronto in the fourth quarter was not enough as they eventually lost 91–96. The Raptors won Game 2 at the ACC to tie the series 1–1, as Bosh recorded 25 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.^[33] The Nets won games 3 and 4 to lead 3–1, but Toronto forced Game 6 when they narrowly won 98–96 in Game 5.^[34] New Jersey won Game 6, however, and sent Toronto out of the first round.^[35] Bosh averaged a double-double with 22.6 ppg and 10.7 rpg for the regular season, both career-highs, and posted 17.5 ppg and 9.0 rpg for the playoffs.^[19] He was named to the All-NBA Second Team at the end of the 2006–07 campaign.^[36]

Struggles (2007–09)[link]

Bosh and the Raptors never surpassed the achievements of the 2006–07 season

Before the 2007–08 season began, Andrea Bargnani, the number one pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, was slated to start at center and Bosh at power forward to form a strong Toronto frontcourt and Jason Kapono, a three-point specialist, was acquired via free agency from the Miami Heat to add offensive firepower; however, as the season unfolded, neither plans materialized as hoped.^[37] Bosh himself had a slow start to the season, but as mid-season approached, his form picked up and he was named Player of the Week for the second week of January.^[38] On January 31, 2008, he was selected to be on the Eastern Conference team for the 2008 NBA All-Star Game.^[39] In the meantime, Toronto continued to struggle and their problems were exacerbated when regular starting point guard T. J. Ford returned from injury and became frustrated playing backup to José Calderón.^[37] Nevertheless, even with injuries to Bosh (15 games), Jorge Garbajosa (75 games) and Ford (31 games), the Raptors concluded the regular season with a 41–41 record, and clinched the sixth seed for the 2008 NBA Playoffs. However, they were defeated by the Orlando Magic in the first round, losing 4–1.^[40]

The first-round series against the Magic was touted as the matchup between two of the league's best young big men in Dwight Howard and Bosh, but the Raptors were perceived to have an advantage because of their dual-point guard play.^[41] But Orlando held home court advantage, and the Raptors were unable to win the first two games in Amway Arena. In Game 1, Bargnani started at small forward. This did not matter, as Orlando took a huge lead in the first quarter. Howard dominated the game, finishing with 22 points, 25 rebounds and 5 blocks. The stifling defense held Toronto to 37.6% shooting. Bosh finished 4 for 11 from the field (13 of 13 in freethrows) and the Raptors lost by 14.^[42] Game 2 started similarly to Game 1, with Howard's dominance propelling the Magic to a sizeable lead, but solid plays from Bosh, Kapono and Calderón put the Raptors in front late in the fourth quarter.^[43] The Magic came back, and with 9 seconds left on the clock, Bosh missed 18-foot jumper as time expired, giving the Magic a one-point win.^[43] In Game 3, Ford and Calderón stepped up, and the Raptors preserved some hope with a 108–94 home win.^[44] In Game 4, the teams were almost tied going into the fourth quarter. Despite Bosh recording 39 points and 15 rebounds,^[45] deadly shooting by the Magic in the final few minutes ensured victory for the visitors. Back on the road in Game 5, Toronto was outplayed by the Magic in the second half, and the Raptors eliminated from the first round four games to one. General Manager Bryan Colangelo said at a press conference thereafter, "Whether it's protecting [Bosh] inside the paint, getting a little bit more of a presence in there, to just getting him another scorer that's going to shoulder some of that burden, it's something that's clear we have to get better", hinting that the roster was in need of an overhaul.^[46] Bosh said after the loss, "They played a great series, they executed on offence and defense better than we did and when it came to the small things, they did a better job... I can't sit here and bark in protest that the better team didn't win. That's pretty obvious. They beat us pretty good."^[40] Unlike the previous campaign, Bosh was not named to any of the All-NBA teams.^[47]

To provide Bosh with an experienced frontcourt partner, the Raptors pulled blockbuster trade prior to the 2008–09 campaign: six-time All-Star Jermaine O'Neal was acquired from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Ford, Rasho Nesterovič, and Roy Hibbert, the 17th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.^[48] Bosh—who had won an Olympic gold medal with the national team at Beijing 2008—started the season strong and playing better defense than ever. He averaged 26 points, 10 rebounds and 3.7 assists in his first three games and was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the fifth time in his career.^[49] A week later, he became Toronto's all-time leader in offensive rebounds, surpassing Antonio Davis's record.^[50] While Bosh and O'Neal formed a formidable partnership in the frontcourt, the Raptors struggled to surpass the .500 mark. The principal deficiency of previous campaigns—wing players—continued to upend Toronto's progress.^[51] With the Raptors at 8–9, head coach Sam Mitchell was sacked and replaced by Jay Triano.^[52] Under the new regime, Bargnani finally blossomed as a player, but injuries and weaknesses in the roster meant that the Raptors entered the All-Star break 13 games under .500.^[53] On January 29, 2009, Bosh was named an All-Star reserve,^[54] but an injury ruled him out of the game. Two weeks later, in a bid to bring in a wing player and create greater salary flexibility, O'Neal and Jamario Moon were traded to Miami for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.^[53] The trade did not improve the team's win–loss record, however, and the Raptors were eliminated from contention with seven games of the regular season remaining.^[55] The bright spark in Bosh's campaign was his career-high 22.7 points per game, as well as his being one of two players in the league that season (the other being Dwight Howard) to average a 20/10 in points and rebounds.^[56] On April 20, 2009, Colangelo announced that he would offer Bosh a contract extension during the summer,^[57] which Bosh later refused to sign.^[58]