Chris Taft facts for kids

Chris Taft is an American basketball player who was born on March 10, 1985. He played as a power forward and had a professional career from 2005 to 2013.

Chris Taft's College Basketball Journey

Chris Taft grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He started his college basketball career at the University of Pittsburgh. This was after he finished high school at Xaverian High School, also in Brooklyn.

Early Success at Pittsburgh

In his first year at college, Chris Taft quickly showed his talent. He won the Big East Conference Rookie of the Year Award. This award goes to the best new player in the conference. He also set a new record for the Pittsburgh team. He made the most field goals (162) in a single season as a freshman. Chris also earned a spot on the Third Team All Big East, which means he was one of the top players in the conference.

Moving to the NBA Draft

During the 2004–05 season, Chris played about 26.5 minutes in each game. He scored 13.3 points, grabbed 7.5 rebounds, and blocked 1.7 shots per game. He was also very accurate, shooting 58.5% from the field. After his team, Pittsburgh, lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Chris decided to enter the 2005 NBA draft. This meant he wanted to try and play professional basketball. Soon after, he hired an agent, which meant he could no longer play college sports. Chris then went to the Chicago Annual Predraft Camp to prepare for the NBA draft.

Chris Taft's Professional Basketball Career

Chris Taft hoped to be picked in the first round of the NBA draft. However, he was chosen in the second round. The Golden State Warriors picked him as the 42nd player overall. They got this pick from the New Jersey Nets.

Playing for the Golden State Warriors

Chris played in only 17 games during his first season with the Warriors. He had to stop playing in early January because of back spasms. He had surgery in 2006 to fix a problem with his back. In the limited time he played, Chris averaged 2.8 points and 2.1 rebounds in about 8.5 minutes per game.

He had a couple of notable games during his time with the Warriors. On November 9, 2005, against the Chicago Bulls, he scored 7 points in 19 minutes. On November 2, he achieved a career high of three blocks in a game against the Atlanta Hawks.

Later Career and Injuries

Chris was unable to play during the 2006–07 NBA preseason. His back problems, including spasms and swelling, returned. On October 27, 2006, the Warriors released him, and he became a free agent. This meant he could sign with any team.

In November 2011, Chris was chosen by the Springfield Armor in the NBA D-League Draft. This league is often a step for players hoping to reach the NBA. In August 2012, Chris Taft signed a contract to play basketball in Finland with a team called Korihait. However, in December of that year, Korihait released him because of his ongoing health issues.

See also

In Spanish: Chris Taft para niños