Shawn Kemp facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Shawn Kemp

Kemp in 2012
Personal information
Born	(1969-11-26) November 26, 1969 (age 55) Elkhart, Indiana, U.S.
High school	Concord (Elkhart, Indiana)
Listed height	6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight	280 lb (127 kg)
Career information
NBA Draft	1989 / Round: 1 / Pick: 17th overall
Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics
Pro career	1989–2003
Career history
1989–1997	Seattle SuperSonics
1997–2000	Cleveland Cavaliers
2000–2002	Portland Trail Blazers
2002–2003	Orlando Magic
Career highlights and awards
6× NBA All-Star (1993–1998) 3× All-NBA Second Team (1994–1996) McDonald's All-American (1988) First-team Parade All-American (1988) Second-team Parade All-American (1987) Fourth-team Parade All-American (1986)
Career NBA statistics
Points	15,347 (14.6 ppg)
Rebounds	8,834 (8.4 rpg)
Blocks	1,279 (1.2 bpg)
Medals Men's basketball Representing the  United States FIBA World Championship Gold 1994 Canada Team competition

Shawn Travis Kemp Sr. (born November 26, 1969) is a former American professional basketball player. He played for teams like the Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Orlando Magic in the National Basketball Association (NBA). People called him "Reign Man" because of his powerful playing style. He was chosen as an NBA All-Star six times and was named to the All-NBA Second Team three times. Many consider Kemp one of the best slam dunkers ever. He helped the SuperSonics reach the 1996 NBA Finals.

Kemp was also part of the U.S. national team. He won a gold medal at the 1994 FIBA World Championship and was named to the All-Tournament team. He was famous for his "pick and roll" plays with his teammate Gary Payton.

Early Basketball Years

Shawn Kemp went to Concord High School in Elkhart, Indiana. He was a top player from his first day at a special basketball camp. He played on the varsity team for four years. By his senior year, he was one of the best high school players in the country.

Kemp led his team to the state championship finals. He finished his high school career as the all-time leading scorer in Elkhart County. He also held scoring records for Concord High School.

Kemp playing for the Concord High School varsity basketball team in 1987–88

In 1988, Kemp was chosen for the McDonald's High School All-American team. This team included many future NBA stars like Alonzo Mourning. Kemp scored 18 points in that game.

After high school, Kemp planned to play basketball at the University of Kentucky. However, he could not play his first year due to NCAA rules. He later transferred to Trinity Valley Community College in Texas. He did not play there either. At 19, Kemp decided to enter the 1989 NBA draft.

Professional NBA Career

Playing for the Seattle SuperSonics (1989–1997)

The Seattle SuperSonics picked Shawn Kemp in the first round of the 1989 NBA draft. He was the youngest player in the NBA at the time. In his first season, teammate Xavier McDaniel helped him learn the ropes. Kemp quickly improved and became a star.

By his second season, Kemp was a key player for the SuperSonics. He teamed up with Gary Payton, Eddie Johnson, Ricky Pierce, and Nate McMillan. They became a very successful team.

Kemp earned the nickname "Reign Man" during his second season. The SuperSonics' announcer, Kevin Calabro, saw it on a poster and thought it fit Kemp's powerful playing style.

In 1992, during a playoff game, Kemp made a famous dunk over center Alton Lister. Fans called it "The Lister Blister."

Kemp played for the U.S. national team in 1994. They won a gold medal at the 1994 FIBA World Championship in Toronto.

Kemp's best season was 1995–96. He and Gary Payton led the SuperSonics to a team record of 64 wins. They reached the 1996 NBA Finals for the first time since 1979. They played against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, who had won an NBA record 72 games. The SuperSonics played hard, pushing the series to six games before losing. In the Finals, Kemp averaged 23.3 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.

Kemp signed a contract extension in 1994. However, he was unhappy when the SuperSonics signed another player, Jim McIlvaine, for more money. Kemp held out of training camp for 22 days in 1996–97. Despite this, he helped the SuperSonics win over 50 games again. They lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Houston Rockets. After that season, Kemp was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Time with the Cleveland Cavaliers (1997–2000)

Kemp played three seasons for the Cavaliers. He sometimes struggled with his weight during this time. Even so, he had his career-high points per game in 1997–98. He led the Cavaliers to the playoffs. They lost to the Indiana Pacers in four games, but Kemp averaged 26 points and 13 rebounds in the series.

During the shorter 1998–1999 NBA season, Kemp's weight was a topic of discussion. Despite this, he still averaged 20.5 points and 9.2 rebounds.

Playing for the Portland Trail Blazers (2000–2002)

After the 1999–2000 season, Kemp was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. He reunited with Bob Whitsitt, who had brought him to Seattle. However, Kemp's performance started to decline. His weight continued to be a challenge in his final years.

The Blazers waived Kemp before the 2002–03 season.

With the Orlando Magic (2002–2003)

Kemp then joined the Magic as a free agent. He helped them reach the playoffs. During his one season in Orlando, Kemp played his 1000th NBA game. The Magic took a 3-1 lead in their first-round series but lost to the Detroit Pistons in seven games. After the 2002–03 season, Kemp left the Magic.

Comeback Attempts and Retirement

Shawn Kemp tried to make an NBA comeback in 2005 and 2006. The Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets showed some interest. He also drew interest from the Chicago Bulls. However, he did not secure a spot on an NBA team.

In November 2006, Kemp was honored as one of the 16 members of the SuperSonics' 40-year anniversary team. He received a long ovation from the fans.

In August 2008, Kemp signed a one-year contract with an Italian team, Premiata Montegranaro. He played in three preseason games. However, Kemp and the team decided to part ways.

After his playing career, Kemp tried to help bring basketball back to Seattle. He also owned a sports bar and later became part-owner of other businesses in Seattle.

National Team Career

Kemp played for the U.S. national team at the 1994 FIBA World Championship in Toronto. He won a gold medal there. He was also named to the All-Tournament team, along with Shaquille O'Neal and Reggie Miller. In the tournament, he averaged 9.4 points and 6.8 rebounds. He scored 14 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in the championship game against Russia.

Personal Life

Shawn Kemp has sons who also played basketball. His oldest son, Shawn Kemp Jr., played for the University of Washington. Another son, Jamon, played for Southeastern Louisiana University.

Kemp appeared on the TV show Pros vs. Joes in 2009. A picture of him dunking over Hakeem Olajuwon is on the cover of the video game NBA Jam Extreme.

Kemp has owned businesses in Seattle, including a sports bar called Oskar's Kitchen and a part of Amber's Kitchen.

Acting

Kemp had a small role in the movie Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm.

Career Statistics

Regular Season

Playoffs

See also

• List of NBA career turnovers leaders
• List of NBA career personal fouls leaders
• List of NBA single-game blocks leaders