The 2001-02 season marked an exciting time for the National Basketball Association (NBA). With the start of the new season, the league saw a number of changes, from new logos and uniforms to the introduction of new teams. In addition, the relocation of the Vancouver Grizzlies to Memphis and the move of the Charlotte Hornets to New Orleans gave the league a fresh look.
The season was also marked by the opening of the new American Airlines Center, the home of the Dallas Mavericks. With all of these changes and additions, the 2001-02 season was sure to be an exciting one for NBA fans.
1. Alonzo Mourning
Center
Career
- NBA champion (2006)
- 7× NBA All-Star (1994–1997, 2000–2002)
- All-NBA First Team (1999)
- All-NBA Second Team (2000)
- 2× NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1999, 2000)
- 2× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1999, 2000)
- 2× NBA blocks leader (1999, 2000)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1993)
- J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (2002)
- No. 33 retired by Miami Heat
- Consensus first-team All-American (1992)
- Consensus second-team All-American (1990)
- Third-team All-American – NABC (1991)
- Big East Player of the Year (1992)
- 2× First-team All-Big East (1990, 1992)
- 3× Big East Defensive Player of the Year (1989, 1990, 1992)
- 2× USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (1990, 2000)
- NCAA blocks leader (1989)
- National high school player of the year (1988)
- McDonald's All-American Game MVP (1988)
- 2× First-team Parade All-American (1987, 1988)
- Second-team Parade All-American (1986)
- Virginia Mr. Basketball (1988)
Alonzo Mourning is a five-time NBA Champion and two-time Finals MVP. He was drafted second overall in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets and played for them until 2001.
He then joined the Miami Heat, where he won his first title in 2006 and his second in 2007. In 2008, Mourning retired from professional basketball after playing with the Heat for 13 seasons.
Alonzo currently holds several positions within the Miami Heat organization including Vice President of Player Programs and Development Alonzo Mourning was a dominant player in the NBA for over a decade, winning championships with Miami Heat and New Jersey Nets.
He was an All-NBA selection six times and led the league in blocks twice. After retiring from the game, he founded Alonzo Mourning Foundation to help disadvantaged children in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Also Played For: georgetown hoyas, nba 2000s
2. Steve Smith
Shooting guard
Career
- NBA champion (2003)
- NBA All-Star (1998)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1992)
- NBA Sportsmanship Award (2002)
- J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (1998)
- Consensus second-team All-American (1991)
- Third-team All-American – AP, UPI (1990)
- 2× First-team All-Big Ten (1990, 1991)
- No. 21 retired by Michigan State Spartans
Smith is a shooting guard who played in the NBA for over 20 years. Smith was drafted fifth overall by the Miami Heat in the 1991 NBA Draft. In his first two seasons with Miami, he helped lead them to two championship titles (1993 and 1994).
After leaving Miami, Smith spent three years with Atlanta before moving on to Portland and San Antonio. He retired from professional basketball in 2005 after playing for the Spurs once again during the 2002–03 season.
Steve Smith currently works as an analyst for Turner Sports' coverage of college basketball games on the TNT channel Steve Smith was a versatile player who excelled at both scoring and assists.
He played for four teams in his 14-year career but is most remembered for playing with the Charlotte Bobcats. Smith won an NBA championship with the New Orleans Hornets in 2003 and also made five All-Star appearances during his lengthy career.
He retired from playing in 2013 after spending time with the Miami Heat, where he helped lead them to two championships (2013, 2016).
Also Played For: michigan state basketball, michigan state spartans basketball
3. Mike Bibby
Career
- High school: Shadow Mountain (Phoenix, Arizona)
- College: Arizona (1996–1998)
- NBA draft 1998 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2nd overall
- Selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies
- Playing career: 1998–2012
- Position: Point guard
- Number: 10, 00, 0, 20
- Coaching career: 2013–present
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1999), NCAA champion (1997), Consensus first-team All-American (1998), Pac-10 Player of the Year (1998), First-team All-Pac-10 (1998), Pac-10 Freshman of the Year (1997), No. 10 retired by Arizona Wildcats, Mr. Basketball USA (1996), First-team Parade All-American (1996), McDonald's All-American (1996)
- Points: 14,698 (14.7 ppg)
- Rebounds: 3,103 (3.1 rpg)
- Assists: 5,517 (5.5 apg)
- Medals, , Men's basketball, Representing United States, FIBA Americas Championship, : 2003 San Juan: National team
- Men's basketball
- Representing United States
- FIBA Americas Championship
- : 2003 San Juan: National team
Bibby was a point guard who played in the NBA for 12 seasons. Bibby is best known for his time with the Vancouver Grizzlies, where he led them to two playoff berths and an appearance in the 2006 NBA Finals.
After playing out his contract with Vancouver, Bibby joined the Sacramento Kings, where he spent three seasons before retiring in 2012.
Since retiring from playing basketball, Bibby has served as head coach of the Reno Bighorns of the D-League and currently coaches at Arizona State University under Herb Sendek.
Mike Bibby was a standout player at Arizona, where he led the Wildcats to an NCAA championship in 1997.
After playing for five different teams over seven seasons, Bibby joined the Atlanta Hawks in 2008 and helped them reach the playoffs twice. In 2011, Bibby joined the Washington Wizards and led them to their first playoff appearance since 1978.
The following year saw him join Miami Heat and help lead them to two championships - his second (2012) and third overall (2013).
He then retired from basketball after spending one season with New York Knicks before coaching Shadow Mountain HS as an assistant coach during the 2019-20 school year.
Also Played For: sacramento kings, big 3
4. Peja Stojaković
Career
- NBA draft 1996 / Round: 1 / Pick: 14th overall
- Selected by the Sacramento Kings
- Playing career: 1992–2011
- Position: Small forward
- Number: 8, 16
- 1992–1993: Crvena zvezda
- 1993–1998: PAOK
- 1998–2006: Sacramento Kings
- 2006: Indiana Pacers
- 2006–2010: New Orleans Hornets[a]
- 2010–2011: Toronto Raptors
- 2011: Dallas Mavericks
- NBA champion (2011), 3× NBA All-Star (2002–2004), All-NBA Second Team (2004), 2× NBA Three-Point Contest champion (2002, 2003), No. 16 retired by Sacramento Kings, FIBA EuroBasket MVP (2001), FIBA EuroLeague Top Scorer (1998), Greek Cup winner (1995), Greek League MVP (1998), 2× Greek All Star Game MVP (1996 II, 1997), 2× Mister Europa Player of the Year (2001, 2002), Euroscar Player of the Year (2001), FR Yugoslavian League Most Valuable Young Player (1993)
- Points: 13,647 (17.0 ppg)
- Rebounds: 3,782 (4.7 rpg)
- Assists: 1,408 (1.8 apg)
- Medals, , Men's basketball, Representing FR Yugoslavia, FIBA World Cup, : 2002 Indianapolis: , FIBA EuroBasket, : 1999 France: , : 2001 Turkey:
- Men's basketball
- Representing FR Yugoslavia
- FIBA World Cup
- : 2002 Indianapolis:
- FIBA EuroBasket
- : 1999 France:
- : 2001 Turkey:
Peja Stojaković was a highly productive small forward in the NBA for over a decade. He started his career with Crvena Zvezda before moving on to PAOK and then the Sacramento Kings.
In 2006, he joined Indiana Pacers where he won an Eastern Conference title and made it to the Finals once more in 2008. After spending one season with Memphis Grizzlies, Stojaković returned to Indiana in 2011 as a free agent, retiring after that year's playoffs despite playing well into his 40s.
Peja Stojaković was a cornerstone of the New Orleans Hornets during their 2006-2010 seasons. He averaged 18.4 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists per game over that period.
After being traded to Toronto in 2010, Stojaković helped lead them to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history and eventually won an NBA championship with Dallas in 2011.
A two-time All-Star, he also received MVP honors at EuroBasket 2001 and 2002 while playing for Greece's national team. In addition to his prowess on the court, Stojaković is well known for his humanitarian work off it; he has raised money for numerous charities throughout his career both domestically and internationally.
Also Played For: dallas mavericks, new orleans pelicans
5. Steve Francis
Point guard
Career
- High school: Montgomery Blair, (Silver Spring, Maryland)
- College: , San Jacinto (1996–1997), Allegany (1997–1998), Maryland (1998–1999)
- NBA draft 1999 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2nd overall
- Selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies
- Playing career: 1999–2010
- Position: Point guard
- Number: 3, 1
- 1999–2004: Houston Rockets
- 2004–2006: Orlando Magic
- 2006–2007: New York Knicks
- 2007–2008: Houston Rockets
- 2010: Beijing Ducks
- 3× NBA All-Star (2002–2004), NBA Co-Rookie of the Year (2000), NBA All-Rookie First Team (2000), Consensus second-team All-American (1999), First-team All-ACC (1999), No. 23 honored by Maryland Terrapins
- Points: 10,446 (18.1 ppg)
- Rebounds: 3,215 (5.6 rpg)
- Assists: 3,473 (6.0 apg)
Steve Francis was drafted by the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1999 and played for them until 2010. He is most well-known for his time with the New York Knicks, where he won two championships (2007, 2013).
Injuries have slowed down Francis's career over the last few years, but he still has some good basketball left in him. Francis was a point guard for most of his playing career, and he is best known for 3-point shooting.
Francis played in the NBA from 1999 to 2006 with Houston, Orlando, and New York. He was an All-Star twice (2002–2004) and won a Co-Rookie of the Year award in 2000.
Francis also had success at the ACC level with Maryland Terrapins where he averaged 18 points per game as a senior in 1999 while grabbing 5 rebounds per contest.
After ending his playing days with Beijing Ducks of China's CBA League, Steve now resides back home in Texas after recently retiring from basketball completely last year at age 36 due to injuries sustained during his final season overseas.
Also Played For: orlando magic, 2003–04 nba season
6. Ben Wallace
Power forward
Career
- High school: Central (Hayneville, Alabama)
- College: , Cuyahoga CC (1992–1994), Virginia Union (1994–1996)
- NBA draft: 1996 / Undrafted
- Playing career: 1996–2012
- Position: Center / Power forward
- Number: 30, 4, 3, 6
- 1996: Viola Reggio Calabria
- 1996–1999: Washington Bullets / Wizards
- 1999–2000: Orlando Magic
- 2000–2006: Detroit Pistons
- 2006–2008: Chicago Bulls
- 2008–2009: Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2009–2012: Detroit Pistons
- NBA champion (2004), 4× NBA All-Star (2003–2006), 3× All-NBA Second Team (2003, 2004, 2006), 2× All-NBA Third Team (2002, 2005), 4× NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006), 5× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2002–2006), NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2007), 2× NBA rebounding leader (2002, 2003), NBA blocks leader (2002), No. 3 retired by Detroit Pistons, First-team Division II All-American – NABC (1996)
- Points: 6,254 (5.7 ppg)
- Rebounds: 10,482 (9.6 rpg)
- Blocks: 2,137 (2.0 bpg)
- Basketball Hall of Fame as player
Ben Wallace was a dominant center and power forward in the NBA for 12 seasons. He led the league in Defensive Rating six times and was an All-Star seven times.
Wallace played his entire career with the Pistons, where he won two championships (2004, 2008). After retiring from playing basketball, Wallace became team engagement advisor for the Detroit Pistons.
He is responsible for helping to develop new strategies and techniques for the organization. Ben Wallace is a two-time NBA champion, five-time All-Star, and four-time Defensive Player of the Year. He was drafted by the Washington Bullets in 1996 and played for them until 1999 before joining Orlando Magic.
Wallace then spent three seasons with Detroit Pistons before moving to Chicago Bulls where he won another title in 2008. Wallace retired from basketball in 2012 after playing nine seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers.
Also Played For: nba defensive, nba undrafted
7. Jason Richardson
Shooting guard
Career
- 2001–2007: Golden State Warriors
- 2007–2008: Charlotte Bobcats
- 2008–2010: Phoenix Suns
- 2010–2012: Orlando Magic
- 2012–2015: Philadelphia 76ers
Richardson was drafted fifth overall by the Golden State Warriors in 2001. He played with the Warriors for six seasons before joining the Charlotte Bobcats in 2007.
Richardson has averaged 14.1 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists per game throughout his career.
In June 2015, Richardson announced his retirement from professional basketball after 16 seasons in the NBA Richardson was one of the most versatile players in the NBA for many years, able to contribute offensively from all over the court.
He won two slam dunk contests and was a consensus Second-Team All-American in 2001. Richardson also excelled at shooting threes, making more than half of his three-point attempts during his career (596).
After playing for six different teams across four seasons, Richardson retired after the 2015–16 season with 14,644 points and 4,245 rebounds accumulated in 703 games played.
Also Played For: golden state warriors, phoenix suns
8. Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Career
- High school: Joseph Wheeler (Marietta, Georgia)
- College: California (1995–1996)
- NBA draft 1996 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3rd overall
- Selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies
- Playing career: 1996–2008
- Position: Power forward / Small forward
- Number: 3, 33
- Coaching career: 2008–2010
- NBA All-Star (2002), NBA All-Rookie First Team (1997), Third-team All-American – AP, NABC (1996), Pac-10 Player of the Year (1996), First-team All-Pac-10 (1996), Pac-10 Freshman of the Year (1996), First-team Parade All-American (1995), 2× Mr. Georgia Basketball (1994, 1995)
- Points: 15,028 (18.1 ppg)
- Rebounds: 6,239 (7.5 rpg)
- Assists: 2,109 (2.5 apg)
- Medals, , Men's basketball, Representing United States, Summer Olympics, : 2000 Sydney: Team, FIBA Americas U18 Championship, : 1994 Santa Rosa: Team
- Men's basketball
- Representing United States
- Summer Olympics
- : 2000 Sydney: Team
- FIBA Americas U18 Championship
- : 1994 Santa Rosa: Team
Shareef Abdur-Rahim was a highly successful power forward in the NBA. He played for the Vancouver Grizzlies from 1996 to 2001. Abdur-Rahim became known as one of the most skilled big men in the league, and he helped lead Vancouver to two playoff appearances during his career.
After leaving the NBA, Abdur-Rahim began coaching at various levels of basketball, including stints with both Division III Golden State University and Arizona Wildcats programs before getting his current job at Syracuse Orange in 2018 where he has led them to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances so far this season.
Abdur-Rahim had a successful NBA career, playing for the Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers, and Sacramento Kings. He was an All-Star and Third-Team All-American at Arizona State University before being drafted in the first round by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1997.
Abdul-Rahim's success continued in the NBA as he averaged 18.1 points per game over his 13 seasons with three different teams.
He won two championships with Portland (2005–2006) and one with Sacramento (2008). Abdur-Rahim announced his retirement from professional basketball after 14 years on May 10th of 2018.
After that, he will work as a television analyst for Turner Sports where he will also coach some young players in their development programs.
Also Played For: memphis grizzlies
9. Elton Brand
Power forward
Career
- High school: Peekskill (Peekskill, New York)
- College: Duke (1997–1999)
- NBA draft 1999 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
- Selected by the Chicago Bulls
- Playing career: 1999–2016
- Position: Power forward / Center
- Number: 42, 7
- 1999–2001: Chicago Bulls
- 2001–2008: Los Angeles Clippers
- 2008–2012: Philadelphia 76ers
- 2012–2013: Dallas Mavericks
- 2013–2015: Atlanta Hawks
- 2016: Philadelphia 76ers
- 2× NBA All-Star (2002, 2006), All-NBA Second Team (2006), NBA Co-Rookie of the Year (2000), NBA All-Rookie First Team (2000), NBA Sportsmanship Award (2006), National college player of the year (1999), Consensus first-team All-American (1999), ACC Player of the Year (1999), First-team All-ACC (1999), USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (1998), First-team Parade All-American (1997), McDonald's All-American (1997)
- Points: 16,827 (15.9 ppg)
- Rebounds: 9,040 (8.5 rpg)
- Blocks: 1,828 (1.7 bpg)
- Medals, , Men's basketball, Representing United States, FIBA World Championship, : 2006 Japan: USA, FIBA Americas Championship, : 1999 San Juan: USA, : 2003 San Juan: USA, Goodwill Games, : 1998 New York: USA
- Men's basketball
- Representing United States
- FIBA World Championship
- : 2006 Japan: USA
- FIBA Americas Championship
- : 1999 San Juan: USA
- : 2003 San Juan: USA
- Goodwill Games
- : 1998 New York: USA
Elton Brand is a power forward and center who has played in the NBA for over a decade. He was drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the 1st overall pick in 1999, but he spent most of his time with them on their bench before being traded to Philadelphia in 2010.
In Philadelphia, Brand blossomed into one of the league's top players and helped lead the 76ers to an appearance in the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals. After being released by Philadelphia at season's end, Brand signed with Los Angeles Clippers but announced his retirement shortly thereafter due to injury concerns.
EltonBrand currently works as a commentator for Turner Sports' coverage of NBA games and also co-owns an apparel company called BB&T Elite Athletewear alongwith former teammate Jahlil Okafor .
Elton Brand was a two-time NBA All-Star, and he was named to the All-NBA Second Team in 2006. He also won the NBA Co-Rookie of the Year award with then teammate Kobe Bryant in 2000.
Elton Brand is considered one of the best college players ever, as he was voted National College Player of The Year in 1999 by both Associated Press and USA Basketball Writers Association.
In addition to his success on the hardwood, Elton Brand has been honored with several awards throughout his career including being McDonald's All American (1997) and Parade all American (1997).
Also Played For: philadelphia 76ers, los angeles clippers
10. Samaki Walker
Career
- High school: Eastmoor (Columbus, Ohio), Whitehall-Yearling (Whitehall, Ohio)
- College: Louisville (1994–1996)
- NBA draft 1996 / Round: 1 / Pick: 9th overall
- Selected by the Dallas Mavericks
- Playing career: 1996–2011
- Position: Power forward
- Number: 52, 55, 5
- 1996–1999: Dallas Mavericks
- 1999–2001: San Antonio Spurs
- 2001–2003: Los Angeles Lakers
- 2003–2004: Miami Heat
- 2004–2005: Washington Wizards
- 2005–2006: Indiana Pacers
- 2006: UNICS Kazan
- 2007: Santa Barbara Breakers
- 2007-2008: Al-Jalaa Aleppo
- 2008–2009: Club Sagesse
- 2009: Shandong Lions
- 2009–2010: Seoul SK Knights
- 2010–2011: Al-Jalaa Aleppo
- NBA champion (2002), 2x Syrian League champion (2008, 2011), Third-team Parade All-American (1994)
- Points: 2,376 (5.3 ppg)
- Rebounds: 2,089 (4.7 rpg)
- Blocks: 316 (0.7 bpg)
Walker was drafted 9th overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1996 NBA draft. Walker played for the Mavericks from 1996 to 1999, averaging 14.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game over that span.
He then signed with the Atlanta Hawks where he spent two seasons before joining the Utah Jazz in 2003-2004 season. The following year, 2004-2005, he joined his current team -the Milwaukee Bucks -and has remained there since then playing a total of 11 seasons in all competitions (regular season + playoffs).
In 2011-2012, Walker had a career high scoring average of 20 points per game while also leading the league in rebounding at 10 boards per contest on average. Walker was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in 1999 and played for them until 2001.
He then joined the Los Angeles Lakers, where he spent three seasons before moving to Miami Heat.
Walker then signed with Washington Wizards, but only stayed there for one season before joining Indiana Pacers in 2006. In 2007, he transferred to Santa Barbara Breakers of the NBA Development League (D-League).
From 2007-2008 onwards, Walker played overseas with Al Jalaa Aleppo of Syria and Club Sagesse of France respectively before returning to North America in 2008 with Seoul SK Knights of Korea Basketball Association (KBA).
After two seasons back home in South Korea, Walker moved again – this time to Shandong Lions of China’s National Basketball League (CBA) – where he remained for four years before retiring at the end of 2011 due to an injury sustained during a game against rival team Liaoning Flying Leopards.
Also Played For: louisville basketball
11. Corliss Williamson
Power forward
Career
- High school: Russellville (Russellville, Arkansas)
- College: Arkansas (1992–1995)
- NBA draft 1995 / Round: 1 / Pick: 13th overall
- Selected by the Sacramento Kings
- Playing career: 1995–2007
- Position: Power forward / Small forward
- Number: 4, 34, 35, 14
- Coaching career: 2007–present
- NBA champion (2004), NBA Sixth Man of the Year (2002), NCAA champion (1994), NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player (1994), 2× Consensus second-team All-American (1994, 1995), 2× SEC Player of the Year (1994, 1995), SEC Athlete of the Year (1994), Gatorade National Player of the Year (1992), First-team Parade All-American (1992), Third-team Parade All-American (1991)
- Points: 9,147 (11.1 ppg)
- Rebounds: 3,183 (3.9 rpg)
- Assists: 972 (1.2 apg)
- Medals, , Men's Basketball, Representing United States, FIBA U21 World Championship, : 1993 Valladolid: National team
- Men's Basketball
- Representing United States
- FIBA U21 World Championship
- : 1993 Valladolid: National team
Corliss Williamson was an American power forward and small forward who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for eleven seasons. He was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 1995, but he never reached his full potential due to injuries.
After retiring as a player, Williamson started coaching with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2007. In 2011, he took over as head coach of the Atlanta Hawks and led them to their first playoff appearance since 2008 that year. Corliss Williamson is married and has two children.
Williamson was a standout player at Arkansas Baptist and was drafted in the second round of the 1994 NBA Draft. Williamson played for six different teams over his thirteen-year career, but is most noted for his time with the Detroit Pistons, where he won an NBA championship in 2004.
Williamson retired from basketball after the 2016 season and now works as an assistant coach with Sacramento Kings.
Also Played For: detroit pistons
12. Danny Fortson
Career
- High school: Shaler Area (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
- College: Cincinnati (1994–1997)
- NBA draft 1997 / Round: 1 / Pick: 10th overall
- Selected by the Milwaukee Bucks
- Playing career: 1997–2007
- Position: Power forward / Center
- Number: 15, 21, 27
- 1997–1999: Denver Nuggets
- 1999–2000: Boston Celtics
- 2000–2003: Golden State Warriors
- 2003–2004: Dallas Mavericks
- 2004–2007: Seattle SuperSonics
- Consensus first-team All-American (1997), Consensus second-team All-American (1996), 2× Conference USA Player of the Year (1996, 1997), 2× First-team All-Conference USA (1996, 1997), Third-team Parade All-American (1994)
- Points: 3,615 (8.2 ppg)
- Rebounds: 3,184 (7.2 rpg)
- Assists: 301 (0.7 apg)
Danny Fortson was born on March 27, 1976 in Altoona, Pennsylvania. He attended high school at Shaler Area in Pittsburgh before attending college at Cincinnati.
After one season with the Denver Nuggets, Danny Fortson joined the Boston Celtics for two seasons. In 2003, he signed with the Milwaukee Bucks and spent six seasons there before retiring from professional basketball in 2007.
Danny Fortson is now a basketball coach living in Wisconsin and working as an assistant coach at his old high school alma mater Shaler Area Danny Fortson was a two-time All-American and Conference USA Player of the Year.
He played for the Golden State Warriors from 2000 to 2003, then moved on to play for the Dallas Mavericks from 2003 to 2004.
In 2004, he joined the Seattle SuperSonics and went on to have a successful career with them. Danny Fortson retired in 2007 after playing for the Seattle SuperSonics for six seasons.
Also Played For: cincinnati bearcats men's basketball
13. Todd MacCulloch
Career
- High school: Shaftesbury (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
- College: Washington (1995–1999)
- NBA draft 1999 / Round: 2 / Pick: 47th overall
- Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers
- Playing career: 1999–2003
- Position: Center
- Number: 50, 11
- 1999–2001: Philadelphia 76ers
- 2001–2002: New Jersey Nets
- 2002–2003: Philadelphia 76ers
- 2× First-team All-Pac-10 (1998, 1999)
- Points: 1,369 (6.1 ppg)
- Rebounds: 888 (4.0 rpg)
- Blocks: 177 (0.8 bpg)
- Medals, , Men’s Basketball, Representing Canada, Universiade, : 1995 Fukuoka: National team, FIBA Americas Championship, : 1999 San Juan: National team, : 2001 Neuquén: National team
- Men’s Basketball
- Representing Canada
- Universiade
- : 1995 Fukuoka: National team
- FIBA Americas Championship
- : 1999 San Juan: National team
- : 2001 Neuquén: National team
Todd MacCulloch was born in 1976 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He attended high school at Shaftesbury (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and then went on to play college basketball at Washington.
MacCulloch was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1999 NBA draft and played for them from 1999 to 2003. He then signed with the New Jersey Nets and played for them from 2001 to 2002.
MacCulloch has since retired from playing professional basketball and now works as a television commentator. Todd MacCulloch played collegiately at Oregon, where he was a two-time First-team All-Pac-10 selection.
He spent two seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers before being traded to the Washington Wizards in 2002. He was a member of the Canadian men’s basketball team that competed in the 1995 Universiade, where they reached the semifinal round.
MacCulloch was drafted by the Washington Bullets in the second round of the 1998 NBA Draft. He played for the Toronto Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, and Portland Trail Blazers before retiring in 2013. MacCulloch was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.
He has authored two books, The Truth About Basketball and The Truth About Life. MacCulloch currently works as an NBA analyst for ESPN. He is married and has two children.
14. Devean George
Golden State Warriors
Career
- High school: Benilde-St. Margaret's, (St. Louis Park, Minnesota)
- College: Augsburg (1995–1999)
- NBA draft 1999 / Round: 1 / Pick: 23rd overall
- Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers
- Playing career: 1999–2010
- Position: Small forward
- Number: 3, 40, 19
- 1999–2006: Los Angeles Lakers
- 2006–2009: Dallas Mavericks
- 2009–2010: Golden State Warriors
- 3× NBA champion (2000–2002), Second-team Division III All-American – NABC (1999), 2× MIAC Player of the Year (1998, 1999), 3× All-MIAC (1997–1999)
- Points: 3,536 (5.6 ppg)
- Rebounds: 1,975 (3.1 rpg)
- Assists: 543 (0.9 apg)
Devean George was a talented small forward who starred for the Lakers for six seasons. He was a three time all-star and led the Lakers to the playoffs four times.
George was traded to the Mavericks in 2010 and played two more seasons before retiring. George is a respected elder statesman in the NBA and is known for his community work.
He is married with two children. Devean George is a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota and attended Benilde-St. Margaret's High School. He played college basketball at Augsburg and was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 1999 NBA draft.
George was a key member of the Lakers' 2000 and 2002 championship teams. In 2010, George was traded to the Mavericks and retired after two seasons with the team. Devean George is a former NBA player who played for the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, and Los Angeles Lakers.
George was a two-time All-MIAC selection and won a championship with the Lakers in 2002. He finished his career with 3,536 points and 1,975 rebounds. After leaving the NBA, George played in Europe and Asia.
In 2017, he became the head coach of the Texas Southern Tigers. George is married and has two children.
He is a popular figure in the basketball community and has spoken about the importance of education. George is currently the head coach of the Texas Southern Tigers. George is an active member of the NBA Players Association and is involved in various philanthropic endeavors.
Final Words
The 2001-02 NBA season saw some of the best players in the history of the league take to the court. Some of the. . most noteworthy players of the season include Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal, Steve Nash, and Karl Malone.
These players all proved to be worthy champions, as each of them led their teams to championship victories. Bryant was the. . leading scorer in the league, while Nash led the league in assists. Duncan led the league in rebounds and blocks, while Shaq.
. O’Neal led the league in points. These are just a few of the many reasons why these players are considered the best in. . the history of the NBA.
