Stromile Swift

Swift in 2005.
Power forward / Center
Personal information
Born	(1979-11-21) November 21, 1979 (age 32) Shreveport, Louisiana
Nationality	American
High school	Fair Park (Shreveport)
Listed height	6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight	220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
College	Louisiana State (1998–2000)
NBA Draft	2000 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2nd overall
Selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies
Pro career	2000–2010
Career history
2000–2005	Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies
2005–2006	Houston Rockets
2006–2008	Memphis Grizzlies
2008–2009	New Jersey Nets
2009	Phoenix Suns
2009–2010	Shandong Lions (China)

Stromile Swift (born November 21, 1979) is a former American professional basketball player. At 6'10" and 220 lbs, he played the power forward and center positions.

College and early NBA career (Vancouver Grizzlies)[link]

Swift spent his college career at Louisiana State University, where he led the Tigers to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament his sophomore year, during the time when the LSU men's basketball program was under probation and had limited scholarships available. Swift was selected second overall in the 2000 NBA Draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies.

He competed in the 2001 Slam Dunk Competition against Baron Davis, DeShawn Stevenson, Corey Maggette, Desmond Mason, and Jonathan Bender. Swift placed 4th and Desmond Mason of the Seattle Supersonics won the competition.

Houston Rockets[link]

After the 2004–05 season, he left the Grizzlies as a free agent and signed a four-year, $22 million contract with the Houston Rockets.^[1] Before his departure to Houston for the 2005–06 season, Swift was the last remaining player on the Grizzlies roster to have moved with the team from Vancouver.

Second stint with Grizzlies (Memphis)[link]

In 2006, he was traded back to the Grizzlies along with the rights to the #8 draft pick Rudy Gay in exchange for Shane Battier, in a draft day trade.^[2] For some time, he was their starting center.

New Jersey Nets[link]

On February 4, 2008, Stromile Swift was traded to the New Jersey Nets for Jason Collins and cash considerations.^[3] Four days later, Swift played his first minutes with the Nets, scoring his first basket late in the game, on a jumper, against the Charlotte Bobcats. In the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, on February 12, he scored on an alley-oop dunk from Jason Kidd, in the only game they would see time on the court together in a Nets uniform, as Kidd would be traded to the Dallas Mavericks shortly thereafter.

On March 1, 2009 Swift was waived by the Nets.^[4]

Phoenix Suns[link]

On March 4, 2009 the Suns signed Swift for the remainder of the season.^[5]

Philadelphia 76ers[link]

Stromile Swift signed with the 76ers in September 2009,^[6] but was released on October 12, 2009.^[7]

Shandong Lions[link]

Swift signed with the Shandong Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association in December 2009, and made his debut the same month.

NBA career statistics[link]

Regular season[link]

Playoffs[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• NBA.com profile - Stromile Swift
• LSU Tigers bio
• ClutchFans.net Stromile Swift Profile - Houston Rocket Fan Site
• Yahoo Sports Player Profile

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. (March 2008)

Tyrus Thomas

Thomas with the Charlotte Bobcats in 2012.
No. 12 – Charlotte Bobcats
Power forward / Small forward
Personal information
Born	(1986-08-17) August 17, 1986 (age 25) Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Nationality	American
High school	McKinley
Listed height	6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight	225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
College	Louisiana State (2005–2006)
NBA Draft	2006 / Round: 1 / Pick: 4th overall
Selected by the Portland Trail Blazers
Pro career	2006–present
League	NBA
Career history
2006–2010	Chicago Bulls
2010–present	Charlotte Bobcats
Career highlights and awards
NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2007)
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Tyrus Wayne Thomas (born August 17, 1986) is an American professional basketball player who played one season of college basketball at Louisiana State University and is a member of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats.

High school career[link]

In high school, Thomas was only 5-10 as a freshman. In high school, Thomas tried out for his varsity basketball team but was cut. He only played organized basketball in his junior and senior years at McKinley High School in Baton Rouge, but never really built up enough recruiting hype to be considered a top 100 prospect. As a junior he was a mere 6-6 and 190 pounds, and when he officially committed to LSU, they did not initially have a scholarship for him. One later opened up when a JUCO recruit was kicked off his team and his scholarship offer was rescinded. Thomas grew to 6-7 ½, 200 pounds as a high school senior, and averaged 16 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks per game, good enough for the all-second team in Louisiana.

College career[link]

This biographical section of an 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. (November 2008)

In the 2005–2006 season, Thomas was a redshirt freshman and moved into the starting lineup as a power forward. Because of his leaping ability, Thomas developed a reputation as an outstanding shot blocker, rebounder, and dunker during his time at LSU. Thomas was named SEC Freshman of the Year following a 2005–06 campaign in which he took the Tigers by storm by when he averaged 12.3 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.1 blocks in 26 minutes per game on over 60% shooting from the field. Thomas was also recognized as the NCAA Atlanta Region MVP in the NCAA Tournament after combining for 30 points against the likes of Duke and Texas.^[1]

2006 NCAA Tournament[link]

Thomas entered the 2006 NCAA Tournament still recovering from a sprained ankle suffered in the February 26 game against Kentucky that caused him to miss the last two regular-season games and the SEC Tournament. However, the injury did not hamper him as he continued the pattern of the regular season, his performances in the 2006 NCAA Tournament improved with every passing game as #4 seed LSU advanced to their first Final Four since 1986. His minutes were somewhat limited by the injury in the 1st round game against No. 13 seed Iona and the 2nd round game against No. 12 seed Texas A&M but he was back to form by LSU's Atlanta Regional Semifinal (Sweet 16) matchup against perennial power and overall top seed Duke. In the Duke game, Thomas scored 9 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and blocked 5 shots despite being limited to 25 minutes due to early foul trouble as LSU held Duke to a 27.7 percent field goal percentage and only 54 points, the school's lowest output since 1996. Thomas was even more dominant in the Regional Final (Elite Eight) win against No. 2 seed Texas, scoring 21 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and blocking three shots. These performances earned Thomas the Atlanta Regional's Most Valuable Player award.

NBA career[link]

Chicago Bulls (2006-2010)[link]

On April 17, 2006, Thomas announced his intention to enter the NBA Draft, and signed with an agent, removing his college eligibility. On June 28, 2006, Thomas was drafted fourth overall in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. Thomas was then traded along with forward Viktor Khryapa to the Chicago Bulls for forward-center LaMarcus Aldridge, the second overall pick in that same draft.

2006–2007[link]

Thomas appeared in 72 games his rookie year, with four starts, and averaged 5.2 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game, 1.06 blocks per game, 13.4 minutes per game, .475 field goal percentage, and a .606 free throw percentage. Thomas tied a season-high with 11 boards, including the game-winning tip-in with :00.2 seconds to play against Denver Nuggets on March 22. He then posted 10 games of 10 points and had two double-doubles. He posted a career-high 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds versus Cleveland Cavaliers on March 31.^[2] It was announced on Feb. 5, 2007, that Thomas would participate in the Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk Contest. He would be the first Chicago Bulls representative since Scottie Pippen entered the contest in 1990.^[3]

2007–2008[link]

Thomas appeared in 74 games his sophomore year, starting in 27 of them, and averaged 6.8 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, 1.2 assists per game, .97 blocks per game, 18.0 minutes per game, 42.3 field goal percentage and a 74.1 free throw percentage. Thomas posted 21 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks in the second game of the season versus the Philadelphia 76ers. Tyrus finished the season very strong in April with a 24 point performance versus Boston Celtics, a 20 point, 14 rebound, 3 block performance versus Cleveland, and a 26 point performance in the season finale versus Toronto Raptors.^[4]

2009–2010[link]

Thomas with the Chicago Bulls.

Thomas played in 4 games to start the 2009 season; however he fractured his forearm during workouts on November 6, putting him out for 4–6 weeks. Thomas was replaced in the starting lineup by rookie Taj Gibson. On February 18, 2010, he was traded to the Charlotte Bobcats for Ronald "Flip" Murray, Acie Law, and a future first round draft pick.^[5]

Charlotte Bobcats[link]

2010-2011[link]

In the off-season, he became a restricted free agent as he was extended a qualifying offer. On July 12, 2010, he was re-signed by the Bobcats to a deal worth $ 40 million for 5 years.^[6]

2011-2012[link]

On January 25, 2012, in a loss to the Washington Wizards, Thomas set a career high by blocking 9 shots, one shy of the franchise record.

Personal information[link]

Thomas is known for his extensive tattoo work. He was introduced to tattoos by his mother who brought him to a tattoo artist while he was in tenth grade. His first tattoo displays his name. Although he was a minor when he got his first tattoo and he is self-described as "very pro-tattoos," as an adult he has modified his stance to be "anti- kids and tattoos".^[7]

NBA career statistics[link]

Regular season[link]

Playoffs[link]

Career highs[link]

• Points: 27 vs. Cleveland 03/31/07
• Rebounds: 16 vs. L.A. Lakers 03/21/09
• Assists: 5 4 times
• Steals: 6 vs. Detroit 01/11/10
• Blocks: 9 vs. Washington 01/25/12

Career accomplishments[link]

• 2006–07 NBA All-Rookie Second Team^[8]
• NBA Sprite Slam Dunk Participant
• 2006 NCAA Atlanta Region Most Outstanding Player
• 2006 Freshman All-America Team
• 2006 SEC Co-Defensive Player of the year
• 2006 SEC Freshman of the Year
• NABC All Freshman 8 Second Team
• 2006 All-SEC Freshman Team^[9]

Notes[link]

External links[link]

• Tyrus Thomas at NBA.com
• Tyrus Thomas at Basketball-Reference.com
• Official LSU profile
• ESPN profile
• Tyrus' Official Website
• Tyrus' Non-Profit Organization/Foundation
• Tyrus Thomas Draft Profile

Josh Smith

Smith with the Hawks
No. 5 – Atlanta Hawks
Forward
Personal information
Born	(1985-12-05) December 5, 1985 (age 26) College Park, Georgia
Nationality	American
High school	McEachern Oak Hill Academy
Listed height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight	225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
College	None
NBA Draft	2004 / Round: 1 / Pick: 17th overall
Selected by the Atlanta Hawks
Pro career	2004–present
League	NBA
Career history
2004–present	Atlanta Hawks
Career highlights and awards
NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2010) NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2005) NBA Slam Dunk Champion (2005)
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Josh Smith (born December 5, 1985 in College Park, Georgia) is an American professional basketball player with the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA. Josh is one of five children born to Paulette and Pete Smith. His siblings are Walter, Phebe, Kasola and Shanti. His popular nickname is "J-Smoove".^[1]

Smith attended John McEachern High School. For his senior year, Smith transferred to Oak Hill Academy. As a player for Oak Hill's basketball team, he first earned his reputation as a consummate shot-blocker, which he would maintain in the NBA. He played alongside former Atlanta Hawk teammate Randolph Morris and the Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard on the highly regarded Atlanta Celtics AAU team in the summer of 2003.^[2]

NBA career[link]

Smith was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 17th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft.

Having entered the league straight out of high school, Smith has publicly disagreed with the rule change that prohibited high school players from entering the NBA Entry Draft.^[3]

He won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest during his rookie year in the 2005 NBA All-Star Weekend. He averaged 9.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.95 blocks per game for the 2004–05 season and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. For the 2005–06 season, Smith averaged 2.25 blocks per game, ranking seventh in the NBA.

After the NBA All-Star Weekend, he continued his steady development. He finished second in the NBA in total blocks, 4th in blocks per game and averaged 15.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 4.1 apg, 3.1 bpg and 1.0 spg after the All-Star break and his contribution helped the Hawks double their win total of 13 wins from the previous season to finish 26-56.

On March 3, 2007, Smith broke the 500-block mark, making him the youngest player to do so in NBA history.^[4] Smith ended the 2006–07 season with 16.4 points per game, 8.6 rebounds per game, 3.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.9 blocks, dramatically improving on his previous season's stats. Leading the Hawks after Joe Johnson's season-ending injury, Smith produced a career high 32 points and 19 rebounds in Johnson's absence. He eclipsed this mark on November 17, 2007 with a new career high of 38 points on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks.^[5]