Danny Granger facts for kids

Danny Granger Jr., born on April 20, 1983, is a former American professional basketball player. He played for ten seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Indiana Pacers picked him in the 2005 NBA draft after he played college basketball at New Mexico.

In 2009, Danny Granger was named an All-Star and the league's Most Improved Player. He averaged 26 points per game that season. Later in his career, injuries to his left knee limited his playing time. He was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2014. He also played for the Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat before ending his career in 2015.

Quick facts for kids
Danny Granger

Granger with the Pacers in November 2005
Small forward
Personal information
Born	(1983-04-20) April 20, 1983 (age 42) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
High school	Grace King (Metairie, Louisiana)
Listed height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight	222 lb (101 kg)
Career information
College	Bradley (2001–2003) New Mexico (2003–2005)
NBA Draft	2005 / Round: 1 / Pick: 17th overall
Selected by the Indiana Pacers
Pro career	2005–2015
Career history
2005–2014	Indiana Pacers
2014	Los Angeles Clippers
2014–2015	Miami Heat
Career highlights and awards
NBA All-Star (2009) NBA Most Improved Player (2009) NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2006) 2× First-team All-MWC (2004, 2005) MVC All-Freshmen Team (2002)
Career NBA statistics
Points	9,855 (16.8 ppg)
Rebounds	2,888 (4.9 rpg)
Assists	1,097 (1.9 apg)
Medals Representing  United States FIBA World Championship Gold 2010 Turkey National team

High School Career

Danny Granger went to Grace King High School in Metairie, Louisiana. He played basketball there for four years. In his senior year, he scored about 24 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and blocked 5 shots per game.

He was even nominated to be a McDonald's All-American, which is a big honor for high school basketball players. He also did very well on his ACT test and was accepted to Yale University.

College Career

Granger started his college basketball career at Bradley University in 2001. He was named to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman team. He averaged 11.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.

After his sophomore year, he transferred to New Mexico. He couldn't play for the Lobos until January 2004. He said he transferred because his coach at Bradley used some tough coaching methods.

At New Mexico, Granger became a star. In his junior year (2003–04), he led the team in points (19.5 per game), rebounds (9.0 per game), steals, and blocks. He was the first player in Lobos history to lead in all those areas in one season. He also won the Bob King Team MVP Award. He was chosen for the First Team All-Mountain West Conference.

In his senior year (2004–05), Granger was one of the best all-around players in college basketball. He was the only player in the NCAA to average at least 18.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 2.0 steals, and 2.0 assists per game. He led his team in scoring, rebounding, steals, and blocks for the second year in a row. He was named the MWC tournament MVP.

College Career Statistics

NBA Career

Playing for the Indiana Pacers (2005–2014)

First Years (2005–2007)

The Indiana Pacers chose Danny Granger as the 17th pick in the 2005 NBA draft. In his first year, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. He averaged 7.5 points and 4.9 rebounds in 78 games. He also played in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge during the All-Star Weekend.

In his second season (2006–07), Granger became one of only four Pacers players to make over 100 three-pointers in a season. He led the team with 110 three-pointers. He was the only Pacers player to play in all 82 games that season.

Becoming a Top Scorer (2007–2012)

In the 2007–08 season, Granger became the Pacers' top scorer, averaging 19.6 points per game. He was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week in November 2007. He also set a team record by making 65 free throws in a row.

Granger in December 2008, shooting a free throw

In 2008, Granger signed a five-year contract extension with the Pacers. In the 2008–09 season, he became the first NBA player to increase his scoring average by at least five points for three seasons in a row. He averaged 25.8 points, which was fifth best in the NBA. He was named the NBA's Most Improved Player. He also played in his first and only NBA All-Star Game in February 2009.

In the 2009–10 season, Granger led the Pacers again with 24.1 points per game. He scored a career-high 44 points against the Utah Jazz in March 2010.

In the summer of 2010, Granger won a gold medal with the U.S. national team at the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

In the 2010–11 season, Granger was the Pacers' leading scorer for the fourth year in a row, averaging 20.5 points per game. He had a career-high 17 rebounds in a game against the New York Knicks.

Granger (#33) in December 2011, attempting to block Luol Deng's shot

In the 2011–12 season, which was shorter due to a lockout, Granger was the Pacers' top scorer for the fifth season in a row, averaging 18.7 points per game.

Injuries and Trades (2012–2014)

Granger missed most of the 2012–13 season because of a left knee injury. He played only five games before needing surgery.

He also missed the start of the 2013–14 season with a calf injury. When he returned in December, Pacers fans gave him a big cheer. He played in 29 games for the Pacers that season.

Los Angeles Clippers (2014)

In February 2014, Granger was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. However, he was released by the 76ers a few days later. He then signed with the Los Angeles Clippers for the rest of the season.

Miami Heat (2014–2015)

In July 2014, Granger signed with the Miami Heat. In February 2015, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns but did not play for them due to knee problems. In July 2015, he was traded to the Detroit Pistons. He was released by the Pistons in October 2015, ending his NBA career.

NBA Career Statistics

Regular Season

Playoffs

Personal Life

Danny Granger became a Jehovah's Witness later in his life. His younger brother, Scotty, is a musical artist and songwriter. Danny Granger is also the great-nephew of the famous singer, Mahalia Jackson, known as the "Queen of Gospel."

Granger is married and has three children. He is involved in the "Dribble to Stop Diabetes" campaign. This is important to him because his family has a history of diabetes.

Towards the end of his basketball career, Granger started a real estate investment company. In 2017, he began working as a sports analyst for the CBS Sports Network. In April 2017, he was honored by being inducted into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame.

See also

• In Spanish: Danny Granger para niños

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor="#eeeeee" |colspan ="3"| Representing  United States

|- ! colspan="3" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;background-color:#cccccc;" | FIBA World Championship

|- align=center valign=middle bgcolor=white |bgcolor=gold| Gold|| 2010 Turkey || National team