Brian Grant facts for kids

Brian Wade Grant (born March 5, 1972) is a former professional basketball player from the United States. He played for 12 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Brian was known for his strong rebounding and tough defense. He played for five different teams during his career. These teams included the Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, and Phoenix Suns.

Early Life and Basketball Start

Brian Grant grew up in a small town called Georgetown, Ohio. It's close to the Ohio River. When he was young, he spent his summers working on farms. He helped with tobacco, potatoes, and hay.

He played basketball at Georgetown High School. At first, not many people knew about his talent. But then, Xavier University started getting calls about him. Their coaches, Dino Gaudio and Pete Gillen, came to watch him play. Brian's high school gym is now named the Brian Grant Gymnasium in his honor.

College Basketball Career

Brian Grant played college basketball at Xavier University. He quickly became a star player there. After four seasons, he was the second-highest scorer in the school's history. He scored a total of 1,719 points.

He was named the Midwest Collegiate Conference Player of the Year twice. Brian also led his team, the Musketeers, in rebounding every year. He is third on Xavier's all-time rebounding list with 1,080 rebounds. In his junior year, he was recognized as an All-American.

In 1999, Brian was added to the Xavier Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2011, his jersey number 33 was retired. This is a special honor for only the best players.

Professional Basketball Career

Playing for the Sacramento Kings (1994–1997)

In 1994, the Sacramento Kings picked Brian Grant as the eighth player in the 1994 NBA draft. In his first year, he played in 80 games and started 59 of them. He averaged 13.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

The next year, he improved his scoring to 14.4 points per game. The Kings made it to the playoffs. They lost to the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round. Brian signed a big contract, but injuries limited him to only 24 games in his third season.

Time with the Portland Trail Blazers (1997–2000)

After his time with the Kings, Brian signed a new contract with the Portland Trail Blazers. In his first year in Portland, he started 49 games. The team reached the playoffs but lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. Brian averaged 13.2 points and 10.7 rebounds in that series.

The 1998–1999 season was shorter due to a league lockout. Brian started 46 games and led the team in rebounds with 9.8 per game. The Trail Blazers won their division. They swept the Phoenix Suns and beat the Utah Jazz in the playoffs. They then faced the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals. The Spurs swept them, ending their playoff run.

Before the 1999–2000 season, the Trail Blazers added Scottie Pippen. Brian Grant started coming off the bench more often. He played a key defensive role against stars like Kevin Garnett and Karl Malone. The Trail Blazers had a great season, winning 59 games. They made it to the Western Conference Finals again, facing the Los Angeles Lakers. The series went to a thrilling Game 7. Despite leading in the fourth quarter, Portland lost the game.

Years with the Miami Heat (2000–2004)

In 2000, Brian Grant signed a large contract with the Miami Heat. The team's president, Pat Riley, believed Brian was a key player for them. Soon after, the Heat's star center, Alonzo Mourning, was diagnosed with a kidney disease. This meant Brian had to play center, even though he usually played power forward.

Brian had a great season, averaging 15.2 points and 8.8 rebounds. The Heat won 50 games. Mourning returned late in the season, but the Heat were swept in the first round of the playoffs.

In the 2001–2002 season, Brian returned to his power forward position. The Heat did not make the playoffs that year. The next season was a rebuilding year for the team. Brian averaged a career-high 10.2 rebounds per game, ranking fifth in the league. He also had his best field goal percentage at .509.

The Heat drafted Dwyane Wade in 2003. They also added Lamar Odom. Alonzo Mourning left the team, making Brian the main center again. Stan Van Gundy became the new coach. The 2003–2004 season was a success. The Heat overcame a tough start and made the playoffs. Brian started 76 games at center. They beat the New Orleans Hornets in a seven-game series. In the second round, they faced the Indiana Pacers. Brian had 16 rebounds in one game, helping the Heat tie the series. However, the Pacers won the next two games and advanced.

Short Stays with the Lakers and Suns (2004–2006)

In 2004, Brian Grant was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a big trade for Shaquille O'Neal. He played one season with the Lakers. He played in 69 games, but his averages were lower than before.

In 2005, Brian signed with the Phoenix Suns. He played in 21 games for them. He also played in 5 playoff games. The Suns reached the Western Conference Finals but lost to the Dallas Mavericks. After the season, Brian was traded to the Boston Celtics. He was later released by the Celtics. Brian officially retired from basketball in 2006 due to ongoing injuries.

NBA Career Statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Personal Life and Health

In 2005, Brian Grant was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. This is a condition that affects movement. He shared his diagnosis in 2009. He was inspired by others who also live with Parkinson's, like actor Michael J. Fox and boxing legend Muhammad Ali.

In April 2021, Brian released his book called 'Rebound: Soaring in the NBA, Battling Parkinson's, and Finding What Really Matters'. He wrote it with Ric Bucher.

See also

In Spanish: Brian Grant para niños