Marcus Camby facts for kids
Camby with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2009
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 22, 1974 Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. |
| High school |
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| Listed height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
| Listed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | UMass (1993–1996) |
| NBA Draft | 1996 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2nd overall |
| Selected by the Toronto Raptors | |
| Pro career | 1996–2013 |
| Career history | |
| 1996–1998 | Toronto Raptors |
| 1998–2002 | New York Knicks |
| 2002–2008 | Denver Nuggets |
| 2008–2010 | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 2010–2012 | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 2012 | Houston Rockets |
| 2012–2013 | New York Knicks |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career statistics | |
| Points | 9,262 (9.5 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 9,513 (9.8 rpg) |
| Blocks | 2,331 (2.4 bpg) |
Marcus Dion Camby (born March 22, 1974) is an American former professional basketball player. He played for 17 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Marcus was known for his strong defense. He was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the 2006–07 NBA season. He also led the league in blocked shots per game that year. Camby is one of the top players in NBA history for career blocks.
Contents
Early Life and High School Basketball
Marcus Dion Camby was born on March 22, 1974, in Hartford, Connecticut. He started playing high school basketball at Conard High School in West Hartford, Connecticut. Later, he moved to Hartford Public High School. In his final year of high school, Marcus was amazing on the court. He scored about 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds per game. He also had 8 blocks and 8 assists per game. His team had a perfect 27–0 record and won the state championship. Marcus was named Connecticut Player of the Year by Gatorade.
College Career at UMass
Camby played college basketball for three seasons at the UMass Minutemen. In his first year, he set an NCAA freshman record with 105 blocked shots. He was named the Atlantic 10's Freshman of the Year. In his second year (1994–95), he was named to the A-10's First Team. The Minutemen team made it to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament.
In the 1995–96 season, Camby won two major awards: the John R. Wooden Award and the Naismith College Player of the Year Award. He helped UMass reach the #1 ranking multiple times. He also led them to the 1996 NCAA Final Four. During the NCAA tournament, Camby set a record with 43 blocked shots in 11 games. On April 29, 1996, he decided to leave UMass early to join the NBA Draft.
Later, UMass's trip to the Final Four was officially removed by the NCAA. This happened because Marcus had broken some rules. As a result, the school had to return money they earned from the tournament. Marcus later paid the school back for this amount.
Marcus Camby was honored by being added to the UMass Athletic Hall of Fame on September 10, 2010. Even though the Final Four achievement was removed, many saw this as a way to celebrate one of the school's best athletes. Marcus also went back to school online at UMass and earned his degree on May 12, 2017.
Professional Basketball Journey
Toronto Raptors (1996–1998)
The Toronto Raptors picked Marcus Camby as the second overall player in the 1996 NBA draft. In his first year, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He averaged 14.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. On March 27, 1997, he had one of his best rookie games, scoring 37 points. In his second season, Camby led the entire league in blocked shots, averaging 3.7 per game. After some disagreements with his coach, the Raptors traded him to the Knicks.
New York Knicks (1998–2002)
In 1998, Camby was traded to the New York Knicks. He joined the team as a backup to star player Patrick Ewing. In the 1998–99 NBA season, the Knicks had a tough start but made it to the playoffs as the 8th seed. In the playoffs, Camby and his teammate Latrell Sprewell played a big role. The Knicks surprised everyone by beating the top-seeded Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks. They then faced the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. When Ewing got injured, Camby stepped up. He helped lead the Knicks to win the series and reach the NBA Finals. They were the first 8th-seeded team ever to make it to the Finals. However, they lost to the San Antonio Spurs in five games.
In the 1999–2000 NBA season, the Knicks won 50 games. Camby was a key player, often coming off the bench. In the playoffs, the Knicks beat the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat. They reached the Eastern Conference Finals again but lost to the Indiana Pacers.
During the 2000–01 NBA season, Camby was suspended for five games due to an incident during a game. After returning, he played very well, averaging 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game. However, the Knicks lost in the first round of the playoffs. Camby missed most of the 2001–02 NBA season due to an injury. Without him, the Knicks struggled and missed the playoffs.
Denver Nuggets (2002–2008)
In 2002, Camby was traded to the Denver Nuggets. In the 2003–04 NBA season, he helped the Nuggets reach the playoffs alongside rookie Carmelo Anthony. They were defeated by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Camby was a top shot-blocker, leading the NBA four times in blocks per game (1997–98, 2005–06, 2006–07, and 2007–08). In the 2005–06 NBA season, he averaged 12.0 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game. He also had 1.4 steals per game. He helped Denver win their division and make the playoffs.
Marcus Camby won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award for the 2006–07 NBA season. This was a huge honor for him. He received the award from NBA commissioner David Stern. During that season, Camby led the league with 3.3 blocks per game. He was also fifth in the league with 11.7 rebounds per game.
In the 2007–08 NBA season, Camby continued to be one of the best defensive players. He led the league in blocks per game (3.61) and total blocks (285). He also averaged 13.1 rebounds per game, which was second in the league. On December 26, 2007, Camby achieved a triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 blocks. This was his third career triple-double. On March 16, 2008, he had another triple-double with 13 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. He did this in a record-tying 27 minutes.
Los Angeles Clippers (2008–2010)
On July 15, 2008, Camby was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. He played as a power forward at first. Later, due to an injury to a teammate, he moved back to the starting center position. On December 17, 2008, Camby had a career-high 27 rebounds in a game against the Chicago Bulls. He also scored 19 points.
Portland Trail Blazers (2010–2012)
On February 16, 2010, Camby was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. He played in 23 games for the Blazers in the 2009–2010 season. He helped the team make the playoffs. On April 12, 2010, he scored 30 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in a game. He signed a two-year contract extension to stay with the Blazers.
Houston Rockets (2012)
Camby was traded to the Houston Rockets on March 15, 2012.
Return to Knicks (2012–2013)
On July 11, 2012, Camby was traded back to the New York Knicks. He missed most of the 2012–13 season because of a foot injury, playing only 24 games.
On July 10, 2013, Camby was traded back to the Toronto Raptors, the team that first drafted him. However, the Raptors soon bought out his contract. On July 29, 2013, Camby signed again with the Houston Rockets. But he was released by the Rockets on October 28, 2013.
NBA Career Statistics
| Legend | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
Regular season
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–97 | Toronto | 63 | 38 | 30.1 | .482 | .143 | .693 | 6.3 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 14.8 |
| 1997–98 | Toronto | 63 | 58 | 31.8 | .412 | .000 | .611 | 7.4 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 3.7* | 12.1 |
| 1998–99 | New York | 46 | 0 | 20.5 | .521 | .000 | .553 | 5.5 | .3 | .6 | 1.6 | 7.2 |
| 1999–00 | New York | 59 | 11 | 26.2 | .480 | .500 | .670 | 7.8 | .8 | .7 | 2.0 | 10.2 |
| 2000–01 | New York | 63 | 63 | 33.8 | .524 | .125 | .667 | 11.5 | .8 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 12.0 |
| 2001–02 | New York | 29 | 29 | 34.7 | .448 | .000 | .626 | 11.1 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 11.1 |
| 2002–03 | Denver | 29 | 9 | 21.2 | .410 | .400 | .660 | 7.2 | 1.6 | .7 | 1.4 | 7.6 |
| 2003–04 | Denver | 72 | 72 | 30.0 | .477 | .000 | .721 | 10.1 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 8.6 |
| 2004–05 | Denver | 66 | 66 | 30.5 | .465 | .000 | .723 | 10.0 | 2.3 | .9 | 3.0 | 10.3 |
| 2005–06 | Denver | 56 | 54 | 33.2 | .465 | .091 | .712 | 11.9 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 3.3* | 12.8 |
| 2006–07 | Denver | 70 | 70 | 33.8 | .473 | .000 | .729 | 11.7 | 3.2 | 1.2 | 3.3* | 11.2 |
| 2007–08 | Denver | 79 | 79 | 34.9 | .450 | .300 | .708 | 13.1 | 3.3 | 1.1 | 3.6* | 9.1 |
| 2008–09 | L.A. Clippers | 62 | 55 | 31.0 | .512 | .250 | .725 | 11.1 | 2.0 | .8 | 2.1 | 10.3 |
| 2009–10 | L.A. Clippers | 51 | 51 | 31.3 | .466 | .333 | .659 | 12.1 | 3.0 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 7.7 |
| 2009–10 | Portland | 23 | 23 | 31.2 | .497 | .000 | .581 | 11.1 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 7.0 |
| 2010–11 | Portland | 59 | 51 | 26.1 | .398 | .000 | .614 | 10.3 | 2.1 | .7 | 1.6 | 4.7 |
| 2011–12 | Portland | 40 | 40 | 22.4 | .416 | .000 | .474 | 8.8 | 1.9 | .8 | 1.4 | 3.8 |
| 2011–12 | Houston | 19 | 13 | 24.1 | .484 | .400 | .423 | 9.3 | 1.7 | .9 | 1.5 | 7.1 |
| 2012–13 | New York | 24 | 4 | 10.4 | .321 | .000 | .421 | 3.3 | .6 | .3 | .6 | 1.8 |
| Career | 973 | 786 | 29.5 | .466 | .205 | .670 | 9.8 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 9.5 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | New York | 20 | 3 | 25.5 | .566 | .000 | .616 | 7.7 | .3 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 10.4 |
| 2000 | New York | 16 | 0 | 24.1 | .337 | .000 | .613 | 7.0 | .4 | .5 | 1.4 | 4.8 |
| 2001 | New York | 4 | 4 | 35.3 | .385 | .000 | .385 | 8.0 | 1.8 | .5 | 2.3 | 6.3 |
| 2004 | Denver | 5 | 5 | 38.8 | .491 | .500 | .571 | 11.4 | 2.4 | .8 | 1.4 | 12.6 |
| 2005 | Denver | 5 | 5 | 36.8 | .415 | .000 | .630 | 11.2 | 1.8 | .6 | 3.2* | 10.2 |
| 2006 | Denver | 5 | 5 | 35.0 | .419 | .000 | .556 | 11.0 | 2.2 | .8 | 2.8* | 11.4 |
| 2007 | Denver | 5 | 5 | 36.8 | .378 | .000 | .667 | 14.8 | 2.0 | .8 | 3.2* | 7.6 |
| 2008 | Denver | 4 | 4 | 31.0 | .238 | 1.000 | .333 | 13.3 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 3.3 |
| 2010 | Portland | 6 | 6 | 29.7 | .421 | .000 | .500 | 10.0 | 2.3 | .7 | 1.2 | 5.8 |
| 2011 | Portland | 6 | 6 | 27.8 | .455 | 1.000 | .000 | 9.7 | 1.3 | .7 | 1.5 | 3.5 |
| 2013 | New York | 3 | 0 | 1.0 | 1.000 | .000 | .000 | .7 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .7 |
| Career | 79 | 43 | 28.4 | .443 | .429 | .578 | 9.0 | 1.2 | .8 | 1.9 | 7.5 | |
Awards and Honors
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award (2006–07)
- NBA All-Defensive First Team (2006–07, 2007–08)
- NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2004–05, 2005–06)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1996–97)
- He is known for winning a major award (Defensive Player of the Year) without ever being named to an All-Star team.
- John R. Wooden Award (1995–96)
- Naismith College Player of the Year Award (1995–96)
- Oscar Robertson Trophy (1995–96)
- The Sporting News College Player of the Year
- Associated Press First-Team All-American (1995–96)
- UPI First-Team All-American (1995–96)
- Basketball Weekly First-Team All-American (1995–96)
- NCAA East Regional Most Outstanding Player (1995–96)
- All-Atlantic 10 First Team (1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96)
- Atlantic 10 Freshman of the Year (1993–94)
- New Haven Register All-State Team (1992–1993)
Off the Court Activities
Charitable Work
Marcus Camby has always been involved in helping others. While at UMass, he tutored students in South Hadley. Throughout his career, he supported many charities. As a Denver Nugget, he worked with several charities in the Denver area. He also traveled to Africa with the "Basketball Without Borders" program.
In 1996, Camby started the Cambyland Foundation. This non-profit group works with schools and community groups. It helps create opportunities for young people.
See also
In Spanish: Marcus Camby para niños
- List of National Basketball Association career blocks leaders
- List of National Basketball Association career rebounding leaders
- List of National Basketball Association single-game blocks leaders
- Toronto Raptors accomplishments and records
