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 amazing defense. He won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in the 2006–07 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 in Hartford, Connecticut, on March 22, 1974. 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 a star player. He averaged 27 points, 11 rebounds, 8 blocks, and 8 assists per game. His team had a perfect 27–0 record and won the state championship. He was named Connecticut Player of the Year by Gatorade.
College Career at UMass
Marcus Camby played college basketball for three seasons at the UMass Minutemen. In his first year, he set a new record for freshmen in the NCAA. He had 105 total blocks. He was also named the Atlantic 10's Freshman of the Year.
During his second year (1994–95), Camby was named to the A-10's First Team. The Minutemen team reached the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament.
In the 1995–96 season, Camby was one of the best college players in the country. He won the John R. Wooden Award and the Naismith College Player of the Year Award. He helped UMass become a top-ranked team. They also reached the 1996 NCAA Final Four. In the NCAA tournament, Camby set a record with 43 total blocked shots in 11 games.
After this successful season, Camby decided to leave college early. He entered the NBA draft on April 29, 1996.
UMass Hall of Fame Recognition
In 1997, the NCAA decided to remove UMass's Final Four achievement from the records. This happened because Marcus Camby had accepted gifts from sports agents. As a result, the school had to return money they earned from the tournament. Camby later paid the school back for the money they lost.
Even with this past issue, Marcus Camby was honored by UMass. He was inducted into the UMass Athletic Hall of Fame on September 10, 2010. Many people saw this as a way to recognize him as one of the school's best athletes ever. Marcus also returned to UMass to finish his degree. He took online courses and earned his degree on May 12, 2017.
Professional Basketball Career
Toronto Raptors (1996–1998)
Marcus Camby was chosen as the second overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft. He was drafted by the Toronto Raptors. 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 scored 37 points and grabbed 8 rebounds against the Atlanta Hawks. In his second season, Camby led the entire league in blocked shots, averaging 3.7 per game.
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. The Knicks had a tough start in the 1998–99 season. But in the playoffs, Camby and his teammate Latrell Sprewell played a big role. The Knicks surprised everyone by reaching the NBA Finals. They were the first 8th-seeded team to ever make it to the Finals. However, they lost to the San Antonio Spurs in five games.
In the 1999–00 season, the Knicks won 50 games. Camby was a key player, often coming off the bench to provide energy. The Knicks made it to the Eastern Conference Finals again. They faced the Indiana Pacers but were defeated in six games.
During a game in 2001, Camby was involved in a heated moment on the court. He was suspended for five games. He spent most of the 2001–02 season dealing with injuries.
Denver Nuggets (2002–2008)
In 2002, Camby was traded to the Denver Nuggets. He joined rookie player Carmelo Anthony. Together, they helped the Nuggets reach the playoffs in the 2003–04 season.
Camby became known as one of the best defensive players in the league. He led the NBA in blocked shots four times: 1997–98, 2005–06, 2006–07, and 2007–08. In the 2005–06 season, he averaged 11.9 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game.
Marcus Camby won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award for the 2006–07 season. This was a huge honor for him. He averaged 3.3 blocks and 11.7 rebounds per game that season. He also had 1.24 steals per game.
In the 2007–08 NBA season, Camby continued to be a top defender. He averaged 13.1 rebounds and 3.61 blocks per game. On December 26, 2007, he 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 just 27 minutes, which tied an NBA record.
Los Angeles Clippers (2008–2010)
On July 15, 2008, Camby was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. He expressed some sadness about leaving the Nuggets. He felt he had done his best for the team.
With the Clippers, Camby started playing as a power forward. Later, due to injuries to other players, he returned to his main position as a starting center. On December 17, 2008, Camby had a career-high 27 rebounds in a game against the Chicago Bulls.
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 that season. He helped the team make it to the playoffs. On April 20, 2010, he signed a two-year contract extension to stay with the Blazers.
On January 27, 2012, Camby had a unique game. He grabbed 20 or more rebounds but scored zero points. This was only the second time an NBA player had done this.
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 played only 24 games in the 2012–13 season due to a foot injury.
On July 10, 2013, Camby was traded again, this time back to the Toronto Raptors. However, the Raptors soon bought out his contract, making him a free agent.
On July 29, 2013, Camby signed with the Houston Rockets again. But he was waived by the Rockets on October 28, 2013, which marked the end of his NBA career.
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)
- John R. Wooden Award (1995–96)
- Naismith College Player of the Year Award (1995–96)
- Oscar Robertson Trophy (1995–96)
- All-Atlantic 10 First Team (1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96)
- Atlantic 10 Freshman of the Year (1993–94)
Off the Court Activities
Personal Life
Marcus Camby lives in Pearland, Texas, which is a suburb of Houston.
Charitable Work
While at UMass, Camby helped tutor students. Throughout his professional career, he was very active with charities. He worked with several charities in the Denver area when he played for the Nuggets. He also traveled to Africa with "Basketball Without Borders," a program that uses basketball to help young people.
In 1996, Camby started his own non-profit organization called the Cambyland Foundation. This foundation works with schools and community groups. It helps create opportunities for young people.
See also
In Spanish: Marcus Camby para niños
- List of NBA career blocks leaders
- List of NBA career rebounding leaders
- List of NBA annual blocks leaders
- List of NBA single-game blocks leaders
- Toronto Raptors accomplishments and records
