Kyle Korver facts for kids
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Korver with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018
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| Atlanta Hawks | |
|---|---|
| Assistant general manager | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | March 17, 1981 Paramount, California, U.S. |
| High school | Pella (Pella, Iowa) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Listed weight | 212 lb (96 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Creighton (1999–2003) |
| NBA Draft | 2003 / Round: 2 / Pick: 51st overall |
| Selected by the New Jersey Nets | |
| Pro career | 2003–2020 |
| League | NBA |
| Career history | |
| 2003–2007 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 2007–2010 | Utah Jazz |
| 2010–2012 | Chicago Bulls |
| 2012–2017 | Atlanta Hawks |
| 2017–2018 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2018–2019 | Utah Jazz |
| 2019–2020 | Milwaukee Bucks |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 11,953 (9.7 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 3,643 (3.0 rpg) |
| Assists | 2,114 (1.7 apg) |
Kyle Elliot Korver (born March 17, 1981) is an American basketball executive and former player. He is currently the assistant general manager for the Atlanta Hawks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before joining the front office, Korver played college basketball for the Creighton Bluejays. He is known as one of the best three-point shooters in basketball history.
Korver was chosen in the second round of the 2003 NBA draft by the New Jersey Nets. He was quickly traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. After playing for the 76ers, he moved to the Utah Jazz. During his time with the Jazz in 2009–10, Korver set an NBA record for the highest three-point shooting accuracy in a single season, making 53.6 percent of his shots. He also played for the Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Milwaukee Bucks.
Kyle Korver is among the top three-point shooters in NBA history. He ranks high in both three-pointers made and three-point percentage. He is the only player to lead the NBA in three-point shooting percentage four times. Korver also holds team records for three-point percentage for the Hawks and Jazz.
Contents
Early Life and Basketball Dreams
Kyle Korver was born in Paramount, California. He is the oldest of four children. Both of his parents played basketball in college. His grandfather was also a pastor. Kyle grew up in Los Angeles and was a big fan of the Los Angeles Lakers. Watching famous players like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar made him love basketball and want to play professionally. In 1993, his family moved to Pella, Iowa, where he graduated from Pella High School. Even years later, he and his three brothers were still among the top players in scoring and rebounding at their high school.
College Basketball Journey
Kyle Korver played college basketball for the Creighton Bluejays.
Freshman Year Success
As a freshman in 1999–2000, Korver quickly made an impact. He was named to the MVC's All-Bench team, All-Freshman team, and All-Newcomer team. He averaged 8.8 points per game, showing his skill even when coming off the bench. He was very accurate, hitting 43.4 percent of his three-pointers.
Sophomore and Junior Highlights
In his sophomore year (2000–01), Korver became a second-team All-MVC player. He led his team with 14.6 points per game and made a record 100 three-pointers. As a junior (2001–02), he led Creighton in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals. He was named MVC Player of the Year and received All-America honors.
Senior Year and Records
As a senior in 2002–03, Korver was named MVC Player of the Year again, a rare achievement. He was recognized as an All-American by several sports groups. He also won the MVC tournament MVP award for the second year in a row. In his senior season, he averaged 17.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
Korver finished his college career as one of Creighton's all-time best players. He holds records for most three-pointers made (371) and highest three-point accuracy (45.3 percent). His 371 career three-pointers is also an MVC record. He earned a degree in visual communications.
Professional Basketball Career
Philadelphia 76ers (2003–2007)
On June 26, 2003, Kyle Korver was drafted by the New Jersey Nets. However, the Nets immediately traded his draft rights to the Philadelphia 76ers for $125,000. This trade became a famous story, as it was said the money covered the Nets' summer league costs and a new copy machine. Korver used this story to motivate himself throughout his career.
In his first season (2003–04), he played in 74 games. The next season (2004–05), he played in all 82 games and set a 76ers record for three-pointers made in a season (226). He led the entire NBA in three-pointers made that year. In 2005, he signed a new contract with the 76ers. On February 24, 2006, he scored a career-high 31 points against the Milwaukee Bucks. In his last full year in Philadelphia (2006–07), he averaged a career-high 14.4 points and led the NBA in free throw percentage.
Utah Jazz (2007–2010)
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In December 2007, Korver was traded to the Utah Jazz. He continued to be a strong shooter. On October 28, 2009, he had surgery on his left knee, which made him miss the start of the 2009–10 season. When he returned, he played exceptionally well. He led the NBA in three-point shooting that season with an amazing 53.6 percent accuracy. This set a new NBA record for the highest three-point shooting percentage in a single season.
Chicago Bulls (2010–2012)
In July 2010, Korver signed with the Chicago Bulls. He played in all 82 regular-season games in 2010–11, mostly coming off the bench. The Bulls had a great season, finishing first in their conference. They reached the Eastern Conference finals but lost to the Miami Heat.
In the 2011–12 season, Korver continued to be a key player for the Bulls. On March 10, 2012, he scored a season-high 26 points against his former team, the Utah Jazz.
Atlanta Hawks (2012–2017)
Becoming an All-Star
In July 2012, Korver was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. He quickly became an important part of the team. In 2012–13, he finished second in the NBA in three-point percentage. He also made at least one three-pointer in 73 straight games, which was the longest active streak in the NBA at the time.
In December 2013, Korver broke the NBA record for most consecutive games with a made three-pointer, reaching 90 games. This streak eventually ended at 127 games. He led the NBA in three-point shooting percentage in 2013–14 with 47.2 percent, setting a new Hawks franchise record.
The 2014–15 season was a special one for Korver. On February 10, 2015, he was chosen for his first NBA All-Star team. He was 33 years old, making him one of the oldest first-time All-Stars. He led the league in three-point shooting percentage for the third time (and second year in a row) with 49.2 percent, which is still an Atlanta Hawks record. In April 2015, Korver received the NBA Sportsmanship Award for his fair play. During the 2015 playoffs, he unfortunately injured his ankle and missed the rest of the games.
He continued to play for the Hawks in the 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons. He left the Hawks as the franchise's all-time leader in career three-point percentage.
Cleveland Cavaliers (2017–2018)
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In January 2017, Korver was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, joining superstar LeBron James. He quickly made an impact, scoring 18 points in his third game. On February 8, he had his best game as a Cavalier, scoring 29 points and making 8 three-pointers. He also passed Jason Kidd for seventh place on the all-time three-pointers made list. A week later, he became the seventh player in NBA history to make 2,000 career three-pointers. Korver helped the Cavaliers reach the 2017 NBA Finals, where they played against the Golden State Warriors.
He re-signed with the Cavaliers in July 2017. On January 8, 2018, he passed Paul Pierce for fourth place on the NBA's all-time list in three-pointers made. On February 9, 2018, he scored a season-high 30 points against the Atlanta Hawks. The Cavaliers returned to the NBA Finals in 2018, but again lost to the Warriors.
Return to Utah (2018–2019)
In November 2018, Korver was traded back to the Utah Jazz. On January 12, 2019, he passed Jason Terry to move into fourth place on the NBA's all-time 3-pointers list. He was later traded to the Memphis Grizzlies and then to the Phoenix Suns, who waived him.
Milwaukee Bucks (2019–2020)
In July 2019, Korver signed a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. On March 8, 2020, he scored a season-high 23 points. His final NBA game was in the 2020 playoffs. He did not sign with any team for the next season, choosing to spend more time with his family, though he didn't officially announce his retirement.
Life After Playing: Coaching and Executive Roles
In August 2021, Kyle Korver began his coaching career. He was hired by the Brooklyn Nets as a player development coach, helping players improve their skills.
In July 2022, Korver joined the Atlanta Hawks again, but this time in an executive role. He became the team's director of player affairs and development. In January 2023, the Hawks promoted him to assistant general manager, showing his continued importance in the world of basketball.
Awards and Records
NBA Achievements
- NBA All-Star (2015)
- NBA Sportsmanship Award (2015)
- Led the NBA in three-point field goal percentage four times (2010, 2014, 2015, 2017)
- Led the NBA in free throw percentage (2007)
- Led the NBA in three-point field goals made (2005)
- Holds the NBA record for highest three-point shooting percentage in a regular season (53.6% in 2010)
- Holds the NBA record for most seasons leading the league in three-point percentage (4)
Atlanta Hawks Records
- Single-season 3-point field goal percentage (.492, 2014–15)
- Career 3-point field goal percentage (.452)
Utah Jazz Records
- Single-season 3-point field goal percentage (.536, 2009–10)
College Achievements (NCAA)
- Missouri Valley Conference career record for made three-pointers (371)
- Missouri Valley Conference single season record for made three-pointers (123 in 2003)
- Consensus Second Team All-American (2003)
- Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year (2002, 2003)
- First Team All-Missouri Valley Conference (2002, 2003)
- Missouri Valley Conference tournament MVP (2002, 2003)
Personal Life
Kyle Korver comes from a family of basketball players. His three brothers, Klayton, Kaleb, and Kirk, all played Division I college basketball. His mother once scored 74 points in a high school game! His father is a pastor, and his uncle is a college basketball coach. His cousin, Kari Korver, played women's basketball at UCLA.
Kyle is married to Juliet Richardson, and they have three children: Kyra Elyse, Knox Elliot, and Koen.
Korver is also known for his charity work. He started the Kyle Korver Foundation, which supports many good causes. He has organized coat drives for children in need and collected socks for homeless people in Atlanta. He has also participated in the NBA's "Basketball Without Borders" program, helping to spread the love of basketball around the world. Korver is a Christian. In March 2018, he took a leave of absence from the Cavaliers for a personal family matter.
Images for kids
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Korver with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018
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Korver (left) with the 76ers in January 2007
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Korver with the Utah Jazz in 2008
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Korver warming up before a 2011 playoff game
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Korver as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers in February 2017
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Korver at the 2014 World Basketball Festival
