Chris Andersen facts for kids
Andersen with the Nuggets in 2009
|
|
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 7, 1978 Long Beach, California, U.S. |
| High school | Iola (Iola, Texas) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Blinn (1997–1999) |
| NBA Draft | 1999 / Undrafted |
| Pro career | 1999–2017 |
| Career history | |
| 1999–2000 | Jiangsu Nangang |
| 2000 | New Mexico Slam |
| 2000–2001 | Fargo-Moorhead Beez |
| 2001 | Sugarland Sharks |
| 2001 | Fayetteville Patriots |
| 2001–2004 | Denver Nuggets |
| 2004–2006, 2008 | New Orleans Hornets |
| 2008–2012 | Denver Nuggets |
| 2013–2016 | Miami Heat |
| 2016 | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2016–2017 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
Chris Andersen (born July 7, 1978) is a former professional basketball player from the United States. He is famously known by his nickname, "Birdman", because of his long arms and exciting dunks. Andersen grew up in Iola, Texas, and played college basketball at Blinn College.
He started his professional career playing in China and in American minor leagues. Later, he joined the NBA, playing for teams like the Denver Nuggets and the New Orleans Hornets. In 2013, he won an NBA championship with the Miami Heat. Chris Andersen is one of only two players from Blinn College to ever play in the NBA. He also played in the Big3 league.
Contents
Chris Andersen's Early Life
Chris Andersen was born in Long Beach, California. When he was four years old, his family moved to Iola, Texas. His parents worked hard, and sometimes they relied on help from neighbors and family. During his middle school years, Chris and his siblings lived in a group home for three years.
College Basketball Journey
In high school, Chris's basketball coach encouraged him to play. The coach thought basketball could help him get a college scholarship. Chris went to Blinn College in Brenham, Texas. He played for one season with the Blinn Buccaneers. During that time, he was the top player in the National Junior College Athletic Association for blocking shots.
Professional Basketball Career
Early Professional Teams
After college, Chris decided to play basketball professionally. He didn't know he had to sign up for the NBA draft. Instead, his high school coach helped him play in exhibition games. This led him to play for the Jiangsu Dragons in China.
After playing in China, Chris joined several minor league teams in the U.S. These included the New Mexico Slam, the Fargo-Moorhead Beez, and the Sugarland Sharks. In 2001, he was the first player picked in the NBA Development League draft by the Fayetteville Patriots.
Joining the Denver Nuggets (2001–2004)
Chris Andersen made history when he became the first D-League player to be called up to an NBA team. He signed with the Denver Nuggets in November 2001. He quickly became known for his great rebounding and shot-blocking skills. His teammates gave him the nickname "Birdman" because of his long arms and amazing jumps.
Playing for the New Orleans Hornets (2004–2006)
In 2004, Chris signed with the New Orleans Hornets. He even took part in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest at the NBA All-Star Weekend in 2005. After Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, the Hornets temporarily moved to Oklahoma City.
Returning to the NBA (2008)
Chris had a break from playing in the NBA. He worked hard to get back into the league. On March 4, 2008, the National Basketball Players Association allowed him to return. The very next day, he re-signed with his former team, the New Orleans Hornets.
Back with the Denver Nuggets (2008–2012)
In July 2008, Chris Andersen signed a new deal with the Denver Nuggets. During the 2008–09 season, he was second in the league for blocks per game. He played an important role for the Nuggets. In 2012, the Nuggets decided to let him go to help manage their team's salary.
Winning a Championship with the Miami Heat (2013–2016)
In January 2013, Chris Andersen joined the Miami Heat. He quickly became a key player for the team. The Heat went on an amazing 27-game winning streak after he joined. Chris became very popular with fans because of his many tattoos, his cool Mohawk haircut, and his energetic playing style.
In the 2013 NBA Playoffs, Chris set a team record for field goal percentage in a playoff game. He was briefly suspended for one game during the Eastern Conference Finals. At 34 years old, he reached the NBA Finals for the first time. The Heat won the championship in 2013, giving Chris his first NBA title! He finished the 2013 NBA Playoffs with the highest field goal percentage ever in NBA Playoffs history.
Chris re-signed with the Heat in 2013 and 2014. In 2014, the Heat made it to the NBA Finals again, but they lost to the San Antonio Spurs.
Later NBA Teams (2016–2017)
In February 2016, Chris was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. He played his last playoff games with them.
In July 2016, he signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers, joining his former teammate LeBron James. However, he suffered a serious knee injury (ACL tear) in December 2016, which ended his season. In February 2017, the Cavaliers traded him to the Charlotte Hornets, who then released him.
BIG3 Basketball Career
In 2018, Chris Andersen joined the BIG3 basketball league. He was drafted by the team Power. He helped Power win the 2018 BIG3 championship!
Chris Andersen's NBA Career Stats
Regular Season Games
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–02 | Denver | 24 | 1 | 10.9 | .338 | .000 | .786 | 3.2 | .3 | .3 | 1.2 | 3.0 |
| 2002–03 | Denver | 59 | 3 | 15.4 | .400 | .000 | .550 | 4.6 | .5 | .5 | 1.0 | 5.2 |
| 2003–04 | Denver | 71 | 0 | 14.5 | .443 | .000 | .589 | 4.2 | .5 | .5 | 1.6 | 3.4 |
| 2004–05 | New Orleans | 67 | 2 | 21.3 | .534 | .000 | .689 | 6.1 | 1.1 | .2 | 1.5 | 7.7 |
| 2005–06 | New Orleans/Oklahoma City | 32 | 2 | 17.8 | .571 | – | .476 | 4.8 | .2 | .3 | 1.3 | 5.0 |
| 2007–08 | New Orleans | 5 | 0 | 6.8 | .286 | – | .500 | 1.8 | .0 | .0 | .8 | 1.2 |
| 2008–09 | Denver | 71 | 1 | 20.6 | .548 | .200 | .718 | 6.2 | .4 | .6 | 2.5 | 6.4 |
| 2009–10 | Denver | 76 | 0 | 22.3 | .566 | .000 | .695 | 6.4 | .4 | .6 | 1.9 | 5.9 |
| 2010–11 | Denver | 45 | 0 | 16.3 | .599 | .000 | .637 | 4.9 | .4 | .5 | 1.3 | 5.6 |
| 2011–12 | Denver | 32 | 1 | 15.2 | .546 | – | .610 | 4.6 | .2 | .6 | 1.4 | 5.3 |
| 2012–13† | Miami | 42 | 0 | 14.9 | .577 | .667 | .677 | 4.1 | .4 | .4 | 1.0 | 4.9 |
| 2013–14 | Miami | 72 | 0 | 19.4 | .664 | .250 | .710 | 5.3 | .3 | .4 | 1.3 | 6.6 |
| 2014–15 | Miami | 60 | 20 | 18.9 | .580 | .308 | .667 | 5.0 | .7 | .4 | 1.0 | 5.3 |
| 2015–16 | Miami | 7 | 1 | 5.1 | .400 | .400 | .750 | 1.3 | .4 | .1 | .4 | 1.9 |
| 2015–16 | Memphis | 20 | 14 | 18.3 | .548 | .222 | .688 | 4.5 | .5 | .7 | .5 | 4.6 |
| 2016–17 | Cleveland | 12 | 0 | 9.5 | .409 | .000 | .714 | 2.6 | .4 | .4 | .6 | 2.3 |
| Career | 695 | 45 | 17.7 | .532 | .221 | .654 | 5.0 | .5 | .4 | 1.4 | 5.4 | |
Playoff Games
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Denver | 5 | 0 | 6.8 | .333 | – | .000 | 2.8 | .4 | .2 | .4 | 1.2 |
| 2009 | Denver | 15 | 0 | 21.9 | .630 | .000 | .659 | 6.3 | .6 | .3 | 2.1 | 6.5 |
| 2010 | Denver | 6 | 0 | 19.3 | .529 | – | .643 | 4.5 | .2 | .2 | 1.0 | 4.5 |
| 2011 | Denver | 5 | 0 | 14.6 | .636 | – | .714 | 2.8 | .6 | .6 | 1.4 | 4.8 |
| 2013† | Miami | 20 | 0 | 15.2 | .807 | – | .735 | 3.8 | .2 | .5 | 1.1 | 6.4 |
| 2014 | Miami | 18 | 0 | 17.6 | .579 | .000 | .684 | 5.9 | .3 | .3 | 1.0 | 5.1 |
| 2016 | Memphis | 4 | 2 | 19.8 | .417 | – | .625 | 7.8 | .8 | .5 | .8 | 3.8 |
| Career | 73 | 2 | 17.1 | .631 | .000 | .689 | 5.0 | .4 | .4 | 1.2 | 5.3 | |
Images for kids
-
Chris Andersen Miami Heat.jpg
Andersen with the Miami Heat in 2013
See also
In Spanish: Chris Andersen para niños
- List of doping cases in sport
