God Shammgod facts for kids
| Orlando Magic | |
|---|---|
| Assistant coach | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | April 29, 1976 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| High school | La Salle Academy (New York City, New York) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Listed weight | 169 lb (77 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Providence (1995–1997) |
| NBA Draft | 1997 / Round: 2 / Pick: 46th overall |
| Selected by the Washington Wizards | |
| Pro career | 1997–2009 |
| Coaching career | 2012–present |
| League | NBA |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1997–1999 | Washington Wizards |
| 1999–2000 | La Crosse Bobcats |
| 2000–2001 | Czarni Słupsk |
| 2001 | Florida Sea Dragons |
| 2001–2002 | Zhejiang Cyclones |
| 2002 | Al-Ittihad Jeddah |
| 2002–2003 | Zhejiang Cyclones |
| 2003–2005 | Al-Ittihad Jeddah |
| 2006–2007 | Shanxi Yujun |
| 2007 | Portland Chinooks |
| 2007 | Al Kuwait |
| 2007–2008 | Zhejiang Cyclones |
| 2008 | Cedevita Zagreb |
| 2009 | Oregon Waves |
| As coach: | |
| 2012–2015 | Providence (player development) |
| 2019–2025 | Dallas Mavericks (player development) |
| 2025–present | Orlando Magic (assistant) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
God Shammgod (born April 29, 1976) is an American basketball coach and former player. He is currently an assistant coach for the Orlando Magic in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Shammgod played in the NBA for the Washington Wizards during the 1997–98 season. He was picked by them in the second round of the 1997 NBA draft.
Even though he played only a short time in the NBA, God Shammgod is famous for a special basketball move. This move is a type of crossover dribble called the "Shammgod." It's a tricky way to dribble the ball that helps players get past defenders.
Contents
Playing Career Highlights
High School Basketball Days
God Shammgod played high school basketball at La Salle Academy in Manhattan. Back then, he was known as Shammgod Wells. Some of his teammates at La Salle Academy also became famous basketball players. One was Metta World Peace, who was known as Ron Artest at the time.
In 1995, Shammgod was chosen for the McDonald's All-American Team. This is a special honor for the best high school players in the country. He also played on a summer team with basketball legend Kobe Bryant.
College Basketball Journey
Shammgod played college basketball for two seasons at Providence College. He was a great player, averaging over 10 points per game. As a freshman in 1996, he set a record for assists in the Big East conference.
In his second year, Shammgod and his teammate Austin Croshere led the Providence Friars to the "Elite Eight" in the NCAA Tournament. This is a big achievement, meaning they were one of the top eight teams in the country. They lost a very close game in overtime to the team that eventually won the championship.
Professional Basketball Around the World
After college, Shammgod played 20 games for the Washington Wizards in the NBA during the 1997–98 season. Most of his professional playing career was spent playing basketball outside of the United States. He played for many teams in the Chinese Basketball Association. He also played professionally in countries like Poland and Saudi Arabia.
Coaching Career
After his playing career, God Shammgod went back to Providence College in 2012. He finished his college degree in Leadership Development in 2015. While studying, he also helped coach the basketball team as a student assistant. He was important in helping players like Bryce Cotton and Kris Dunn improve their skills.
From 2019 through 2025, Shammgod worked as an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks. He mainly helped players with their ball-handling skills. On July 3, 2025, it was announced that Shammgod would join the Orlando Magic as an assistant coach.
About His Name
God Shammgod's birth name is God Shammgod. When he was a child, people sometimes teased him about his unique name. So, during high school, he used his mother's maiden name and went by Shammgod Wells.
However, when he started at Providence College, he learned he had to use his legal name. Changing his name legally would have cost money, so he decided to stop using the name Shammgod Wells.
See also
In Spanish: God Shammgod para niños
