José Calderón (basketball) facts for kids
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Calderón with the Atlanta Hawks in 2017
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| Cleveland Cavaliers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Special advisor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | September 28, 1981 Villanueva de la Serena, Spain |
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| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA Draft | 2003 / Undrafted | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro career | 1998–2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| League | NBA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1998–1999 | Diputación Foral Alava | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2001 | Lucentum Alicante | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001–2002 | Fuenlabrada | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002–2005 | Tau Cerámica | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005–2013 | Toronto Raptors | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | Detroit Pistons | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013–2014 | Dallas Mavericks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014–2016 | New York Knicks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016–2017 | Los Angeles Lakers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | Atlanta Hawks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017–2018 | Cleveland Cavaliers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018–2019 | Detroit Pistons | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Career NBA statistics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Points | 7,921 (8.9 ppg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rebounds | 2,148 (2.4 rpg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assists | 5,148 (5.8 apg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medals
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José Manuel Calderón Borrallo (born September 28, 1981) is a Spanish basketball expert and former player. He is now a special advisor for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). José played basketball professionally for 21 years. This included 14 seasons in the NBA, mostly with the Toronto Raptors. With the Raptors, he set an NBA record for the best free throw percentage in a season (98.1% in 2008-09). He also won many medals with the Spanish national team. These include a FIBA World Cup title in 2006 and two Olympic silver medals.
Contents
Early Life and European Basketball
José Calderón grew up in Villanueva de la Serena, Spain. His dad, who played for his hometown team, inspired him to play basketball. José got an offer to play professionally after winning a junior team championship.
In 1999, José joined Lucentum Alicante in Spain's Second Division. He helped his team reach the top Spanish league, Liga ACB. Even though they later returned to the second division, this helped José improve his game.
In 2001, José joined the top-tier team Fuenlabrada. He averaged 9.7 points and 1.7 assists per game. By the end of that season, he joined the Spanish national team.
After that, José signed with TAU Vitoria. He played three seasons there. His team won the Spanish Basketball King's Cup. They also finished second in the Spanish League and the EuroLeague.
Amazing NBA Career
José Calderón joined the NBA when the Toronto Raptors signed him on August 3, 2005. He was known for being a great playmaker.
Starting with the Toronto Raptors
Rookie Season Highlights
In his first year (2005-06), José was third among all rookies in assists. He played 64 games and started 11 of them. He averaged 5.5 points and 4.5 assists per game.
Becoming a Key Player
In the 2006-07 season, José often played as a backup. His strong performance helped the Raptors reach the playoffs. He averaged 8.8 points and 5.1 assists per game. In the 2007 playoffs, he averaged 13.0 points and 5.3 assists.
For the 2007-08 season, José continued to play well. He led the league in assist-to-turnover ratio. This means he made many assists without losing the ball often. He was even considered for the All-Star team. José was praised for his teamwork and willingness to let others start games.
Setting Records with the Raptors
On July 9, 2008, José signed a new deal with the Raptors. He became the main point guard. He set the second-longest streak in NBA history for consecutive free throws made (87). On March 13, 2009, he broke the Raptors' record for career assists. Later, he tied the franchise record for most assists in a single game with 19. He also set an NBA record for the highest free-throw percentage in a season (98.1%).
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In the 2009-10 season, José faced injuries. He still helped the Raptors have a good record. He was almost traded but stayed with the team. In the 2010-11 season, he was fifth in the league for assists per game. On February 12, 2012, he scored a career-high 30 points. He led the league in assists per turnover for the third time in five years.
Moving to Other Teams
Playing for Detroit and Dallas
On January 30, 2013, José was traded to the Detroit Pistons. He became their starting point guard. In his fourth game, he scored 23 points and had 10 assists. He finished the season leading the league in three-point shooting percentage (.461).
On July 11, 2013, José signed with the Dallas Mavericks. He started 81 games for them. He had a great game against his old team, the Raptors, with 23 points and 9 assists.
Time with the New York Knicks
On June 25, 2014, José was traded to the New York Knicks. He joined his former Raptors teammate, Andrea Bargnani. He missed the start of the season due to injury. On March 13, 2016, he made a game-winning three-point shot against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Short Stays and a Big Heart
On June 22, 2016, José was traded to the Chicago Bulls. Then, on July 7, he was traded again to the Los Angeles Lakers. He was later waived by the Lakers. José was going to join the Golden State Warriors. However, a teammate's injury changed their plans. The Warriors still paid José the money he would have earned, even though he was only with them for two hours.
On March 4, 2017, José was picked up by the Atlanta Hawks.
Back to Detroit
On July 10, 2017, José signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He scored a season-high 19 points on April 3, 2018. The Cavaliers reached the 2018 NBA Finals but lost to the Golden State Warriors. On July 7, 2018, José signed again with the Detroit Pistons.
Life After Playing Basketball
On November 4, 2019, José joined the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). He became a special assistant to their executive director. On January 14, 2022, the Cleveland Cavaliers hired him as a special advisor.
Playing for Spain's National Team
José had a very successful international career playing for Spain. He won a gold medal at the 1998 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship. He also won a bronze medal at the 2000 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship.
As an adult, he played for the senior Spanish national team. He helped Spain finish fifth at the 2002 FIBA World Championship. They also finished second at the 2003 EuroBasket. José became the team captain for the 2004 Summer Olympics.
On September 3, 2006, José and his Spanish team won the 2006 FIBA World Championship. He also won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics and another silver at the 2012 Summer Olympics. He earned a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics. José also won a EuroBasket title in 2011. He won two silver medals in 2003 and 2007, and a bronze in 2013. After the 2016 Olympics, he announced his retirement from the national team.
José's Special Skills
José Calderón is known as one of the best free throw shooters in the NBA. In the 2008-09 season, he set an NBA record by making 98.1% of his free throws. He was also a very efficient player. In the 2007-08 season, he almost joined a special group of players. These players shoot over 50% on field goals, 40% on three-point field goals, and 90% on free throws in a full season.
Off the Court
José Calderón is a kind person who cares about others. On March 2, 2007, he became an ambassador for Right To Play. This group uses sports to help children in need around the world. José promised to donate $1000 for every assist he made in a game on November 26, 2007. He made 14 assists in that game!
José is also a co-owner of an organic pig farm. He is married to Ana Hurtado. They welcomed their first child, Manuel, on May 23, 2010.
See Also
In Spanish: José Manuel Calderón para niños
- List of National Basketball Association career 3-point field goal percentage leaders
- Toronto Raptors accomplishments and records
- List of European basketball players in the United States
