Isaiah Rider facts for kids

Isaiah Rider Jr., known as J.R. (born March 12, 1971), is an American former professional basketball player. He played for nine seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). J.R. was born in Oakland, California, and grew up in nearby Alameda. He was a star in both baseball and basketball in high school. Later, he played college basketball at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). After college, he became a professional NBA player.

Early life and college career

Isaiah Rider, who stands 6 feet 5 inches tall, was a top high school basketball player. He attended Encinal High School in Alameda, California. After high school, Rider went to two junior colleges. He played at Allen County Community College in Iola, Kansas, where he scored over 30 points per game. Then he played at Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, California, averaging 33 points per game. Finally, he found his place at UNLV.

During the 1991–1992 season, Rider helped the UNLV Runnin' Rebels achieve a great 26-2 record. They were 18-0 in their conference and ranked number 7 nationally. Rider averaged over 21 points per game that season. In his final year, he truly shined. He averaged 29.1 points per game, which was the second-highest in the country. He was named the Big West Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year. He also earned 2nd-Team All-American honors.

Professional career

Playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves (1993–1996)

Isaiah Rider was picked fifth overall in the 1993 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He had a strong start to his NBA career. After his first season, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. In 1994, he won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. He famously predicted he would win on draft day. His winning dunk was called "The East Bay Funk Dunk."

Rider also made a memorable shot on December 22, 1994, against the Sacramento Kings. The ball was almost going out of bounds. Rider reached out and threw it over his shoulder. The ball went right into the hoop for a three-point basket! An announcer called it the "Play of the decade." Rider averaged 19 points per game during his three years with the Timberwolves.

Playing for the Portland Trail Blazers (1996–1999)

In 1996, Rider was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. During the 1997–98 season, he was the Blazers' top scorer. He averaged 19.7 points per game, ranking 15th in the NBA. He also made 135 three-pointers, which was 8th best in the league. On February 1, 1998, he scored a season-high 38 points against the Toronto Raptors. In the 1998–99 season, Rider averaged 13.9 points per game. He led his team in scoring 13 times that season.

Playing for the Atlanta Hawks (1999–2000)

After the 1998–99 season, Rider was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks hoped Rider would help them become an even stronger team. He played well on the court, often leading the Hawks in scoring. However, he faced some challenges off the court. He was sometimes late for team events and was suspended by the team. Eventually, he asked to be released from the team, and the Hawks agreed.

Playing for the Los Angeles Lakers (2000–2001)

Rider joined the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2000–01 NBA season. He played in 67 games and was a key player coming off the bench. He averaged 7.6 points per game. Even though he wasn't on the playoff roster, the Lakers won the championship that year. Rider was awarded a championship ring by the team. After the season, he said he wanted to stay with the Lakers.

Playing for the Denver Nuggets (2001)

Before the 2001–02 NBA season, the Denver Nuggets signed Rider. They hoped he could help improve their offense. However, Rider only played 10 games for the Nuggets before he was released on November 20, 2001. At that time, Rider said he wasn't retiring and believed he could still play.

In his nine-year NBA career, Isaiah Rider played in 563 games. He averaged 16.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. He scored a total of 9,405 points during his time in the NBA.

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

Life after basketball

After his basketball career, Isaiah Rider reflected on his experiences. He mentioned that it was a very difficult time for him. He realized that some of his friends were not truly supportive.

In 2012, Rider shared plans for a documentary about his life. It was to be called My Testimony: Raw and Uncut. Rider has also started a charity for children called the Sky Rider Foundation. He wants to help kids who dream of becoming someone special. He knows that extracurricular activities can be expensive for families. He aims to help with costs like registration fees, equipment, uniforms, and shoes.

Music career

In 1994, Isaiah Rider (credited as J.R.) was featured on a music album. The album was called B-Ball's Best Kept Secret. It included songs performed by several NBA players. Rider contributed a song titled "Funk in the Trunk."

Images for kids

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  A robot designed for children.