Sebastian Telfair facts for kids
Telfair holding his new Timberwolves jersey during his first stint with them in 2007
|
|
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 9, 1985 New York City, U.S. |
| High school | Abraham Lincoln (Brooklyn, New York) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Listed weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Career information | |
| NBA Draft | 2004 / Round: 1 / Pick: 13th overall |
| Selected by the Portland Trail Blazers | |
| Pro career | 2004–2017 |
| Career history | |
| 2004–2006 | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 2006–2007 | Boston Celtics |
| 2007–2009 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 2009–2010 | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 2010 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2010–2011 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 2011–2013 | Phoenix Suns |
| 2013 | Toronto Raptors |
| 2013–2014 | Tianjin Ronggang |
| 2014 | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 2014–2015 | Xinjiang Flying Tigers |
| 2016–2017 | Fujian Sturgeons |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
Sebastian Telfair (born June 9, 1985) is an American former professional basketball player. He played in the NBA and the Chinese Basketball Association. Telfair was chosen as the thirteenth overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. This happened after he had an amazing high school career playing for Abraham Lincoln in Brooklyn. He had planned to go to the University of Louisville for college. However, he decided to become a professional player instead. Telfair is the cousin of former NBA player Stephon Marbury.
Contents
- Early Life and Basketball Dreams
- Playing in the NBA
- Starting with the Portland Trail Blazers (2004–2006)
- Moving to the Boston Celtics (2006–2007)
- Playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves (2007–2009)
- Time with the Los Angeles Clippers (2009–2010)
- Short Stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2010)
- Back to Minnesota (2010–2011)
- Playing for the Phoenix Suns (2011–2013)
- Brief Time with the Toronto Raptors (2013)
- Playing in China
- About Sebastian Telfair
- See also
Early Life and Basketball Dreams
Sebastian Telfair was born in Brooklyn, New York. His parents are Erica and Otis Telfair. His dad was a Marine who served in the Vietnam War. Sebastian grew up in the Surfside Gardens area of Brooklyn's Coney Island.
He went to Abraham Lincoln High School. There, he became one of the most talked-about high school basketball players in the country. Many people wanted him to play for their college teams.
In 2004, experts at Rivals.com called Telfair a "five-star recruit." This meant he was one of the best young players. They ranked him as the second-best point guard and sixth-best player overall in the nation. He first promised to play for the University of Louisville under coach Rick Pitino. But later, he changed his mind. He decided to go straight to the NBA because of a difficult situation at home.
Playing in the NBA
Starting with the Portland Trail Blazers (2004–2006)
The Portland Trail Blazers picked Telfair as the 13th player in the 2004 NBA draft. On January 1, 2005, he scored 14 points, had 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. In February 2005, his coach made him a starting player. He averaged 6.8 points and 3.3 assists per game that season.
For the 2005–06 season, Telfair started as the point guard again. He sometimes played with another young player, Martell Webster. Telfair got better, but some thought he still needed to improve for an NBA starter. In December 2005, he hurt his thumb. Steve Blake took his place as the starter. Telfair came back in January 2006, but played from the bench. Even though the Blazers didn't make the playoffs, Telfair scored the winning shot against the Houston Rockets on April 5, 2006.
Moving to the Boston Celtics (2006–2007)
On June 28, 2006, the Trail Blazers traded Telfair to the Boston Celtics. He moved with Theo Ratliff and a future draft pick. In return, the Blazers got Dan Dickau, Raef LaFrentz, and a draft pick that became Brandon Roy. Telfair wore number 30 for the Celtics. His usual number 31 was already retired by the team.
After the 2006–07 season, the Celtics decided Telfair would not be returning for the next season.
Playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves (2007–2009)
On July 31, 2007, the Celtics traded Telfair to the Minnesota Timberwolves. This big trade involved many players, including Al Jefferson and Kevin Garnett. In Minnesota, Telfair wore number 3. This was the same number his cousin, Stephon Marbury, wore when he played for the Timberwolves.
The 2007–08 season was Telfair's best year. He averaged 9.3 points and 5.9 assists per game. He also had a great streak of five games where he made 40 assists with only four turnovers.
The Timberwolves signed Telfair for three more years on July 22, 2008. He played in 75 games that season, starting 43 of them.
Time with the Los Angeles Clippers (2009–2010)
On July 20, 2009, Telfair was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. He moved with Craig Smith and Mark Madsen. They were traded for Quentin Richardson.
Short Stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2010)
On February 17, 2010, Telfair was traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Cleveland Cavaliers. This was part of a big trade involving three teams and six players.
Back to Minnesota (2010–2011)
On July 26, 2010, Telfair was traded back to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He returned with Delonte West in exchange for Ramon Sessions and Ryan Hollins.
Playing for the Phoenix Suns (2011–2013)
After the NBA lockout ended, Telfair signed with the Phoenix Suns on December 9, 2011. He started a game for the Suns in a win against the Los Angeles Clippers. Telfair scored a season-high 21 points in a game against the San Antonio Spurs. In April of that season, he played very well, averaging 10.9 points and 3.6 assists.
Brief Time with the Toronto Raptors (2013)
On February 21, 2013, Telfair was traded to the Toronto Raptors. He became a free agent in the summer of 2013.
Playing in China
After his NBA career, Sebastian Telfair played basketball in China.
- From 2013 to 2014, he played for the Tianjin Ronggang.
- In 2014, he briefly signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA, but was waived soon after.
- From 2014 to 2015, he played for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers.
- From 2016 to 2017, he played for the Fuijan Sturgeons.
About Sebastian Telfair
Sebastian Telfair is featured in a book called The Jump: Sebastian Telfair and the High-Stakes Business of High School Ball by Ian O'Connor. He is also the subject of a documentary film, Through the Fire. This film shows his last year in high school and his choice to join the NBA instead of going to college.
Sebastian is related to other basketball players. He is the cousin of Stephon Marbury, who was also a star in the NBA and CBA. He is also the half-brother of former NBA player Jamel Thomas.
While at Lincoln High School in Brooklyn, Telfair was the school's all-time leading scorer for a long time. Lance Stephenson broke his record in 2009. Telfair was also named Mr. New York Basketball in 2004, which means he was the best high school player in New York State. His younger brother, Ethan Telfair, also played basketball in college for Idaho State.
See also
In Spanish: Sebastian Telfair para niños
