Taj Gibson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Taj Gibson

Gibson with the Washington Wizards in 2022
No. 67 – Charlotte Hornets
Center / Power Forward
Personal information
Born	(1985-06-24) June 24, 1985 (age 40) New York City, New York, U.S.
High school	High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology (Brooklyn, New York) Stoneridge Prep (Tarzana, California) Calvary Christian (San Fernando, California)
Listed height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight	232 lb (105 kg)
Career information
College	USC (2006–2009)
NBA Draft	2009 / Round: 1 / Pick: 26th overall
Selected by the Chicago Bulls
Pro career	2009–present
League	NBA
Career history
2009–2017	Chicago Bulls
2017	Oklahoma City Thunder
2017–2019	Minnesota Timberwolves
2019–2022	New York Knicks
2022–2023	Washington Wizards
2023–2024	New York Knicks
2024	Detroit Pistons
2024–present	Charlotte Hornets
Career highlights and awards
NBA All-Rookie First Team (2010) Second-team All-Pac-10 (2009) Third-team All-Pac-10 (2008) Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year (2009)

Taj Jami Gibson (born June 24, 1985) is an American professional basketball player. He plays for the Charlotte Hornets in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Taj plays as a power forward or center.

Before joining the Hornets, he played for several other NBA teams. These include the Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Washington Wizards, and Detroit Pistons.

Early Life

Taj Gibson was born on June 24, 1985, in Brooklyn, New York. He went to P.S. 67 Charles A. Dorsey School in the Fort Greene area of Brooklyn.

For high school, Taj started at the High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology in Brooklyn. He then moved to Stoneridge Prep in Tarzana, California, for his sophomore and junior years. In 2006, for his senior year, he attended Calvary Christian in San Fernando, California.

College Career

Taj Gibson during a practice at the NCAA tournament in 2009

Taj Gibson played college basketball at the University of Southern California (USC). He was part of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity there. In 2007, at 21 years old, he was one of the oldest freshmen in the country. He was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman team. This means he was one of the best new players in his college conference.

In 2008, he helped his team beat their rivals, UCLA. In 2009, Taj was part of the Trojans team that won the Pacific-10 tournament championship. He was also named to the All-Pac 10 Tournament Team for his great play.

Professional Career

Playing for the Chicago Bulls (2009–2017)

Taj Gibson decided to enter the 2009 NBA draft. The Chicago Bulls chose him as the 26th player overall. He signed with the Bulls in July 2009.

In his first year, called his "rookie season," Taj was the starting power forward for most games. People were impressed by his high energy and strong defense. During the All-Star Weekend, he played in the NBA All-Star Weekend Rookie Challenge. His team of rookies won for the first time since 2002.

The Bulls made it to the playoffs that year. Taj averaged 7.6 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. The Bulls lost in the first round. After his first season, he was chosen for the NBA All-Rookie First Team. This means he was one of the top five rookies in the league.

In 2010, the Bulls signed another power forward, Carlos Boozer. Taj was expected to move to a "bench role," meaning he would come off the bench instead of starting. However, Boozer got hurt, so Taj started the first 15 games. After Boozer returned, Taj mostly played from the bench.

He was chosen to play in the 2011 NBA Rising Stars challenge. He scored 8 points in that game. At the end of the 2011 season, the Bulls were the top team in their conference for the playoffs. On May 10, 2011, Taj scored all of his 11 points in the fourth quarter of a game. This helped his team take a 3–2 lead in the semifinals.

In May 2012, Taj was named to the US Select Team. This team practiced with the US Olympic Team to help them get ready for the 2012 Summer Olympics. On October 31, 2012, Taj signed a new contract with the Bulls.

During the 2013–14 season, Taj mostly played from the bench. He averaged 13 points and 6.8 rebounds. He was also one of the best in the league at blocking shots. He finished second for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year Award. This award goes to the best player who usually comes off the bench.

On June 16, 2015, Taj had surgery on his left ankle. He was out of play for four months. In the 2015–16 season, he played in 73 games. He averaged 8.6 points and 6.9 rebounds.

Playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder (2017)

On February 23, 2017, Taj Gibson was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He moved with Doug McDermott and a future draft pick. In return, the Bulls received Joffrey Lauvergne, Anthony Morrow, and Cameron Payne.

Playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves (2017–2019)

Taj Gibson with the Timberwolves in 2019

On July 10, 2017, Taj signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He joined his former coach, Tom Thibodeau, there. Taj became only the second NBA player to wear jersey number 67. He chose this number to honor his elementary school in Brooklyn, P.S. 67.

On November 22, 2017, he scored 24 points in a game against the Orlando Magic. This was his highest score of the season. On February 15, 2018, Taj scored a season-high 28 points against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Playing for the New York Knicks (2019–2022)

On July 9, 2019, Taj Gibson signed with his hometown team, the New York Knicks. On November 19, 2020, the Knicks decided to let him go. However, on January 7, 2021, Taj signed with the Knicks again. He was waived again on July 8, 2022.

Playing for the Washington Wizards (2022–2023)

On July 19, 2022, Taj Gibson signed with the Washington Wizards. He re-signed with the Wizards on September 15, 2023. However, he was waived again on October 23, 2023.

Returning to the New York Knicks (2023–2024)

On December 15, 2023, Taj Gibson signed a one-year deal with the New York Knicks. This was his second time playing for the team. But he was waived again on January 7, 2024. Two weeks later, he signed two short 10-day contracts with the Knicks.

Playing for the Detroit Pistons (2024)

On March 6, 2024, Taj Gibson signed a 10-day contract with the Detroit Pistons. He then signed a contract to stay for the rest of the season on March 16.

Playing for the Charlotte Hornets (2024–present)

On July 13, 2024, Taj Gibson signed a 1-year contract with the Charlotte Hornets.

Career Statistics

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

College

See also

In Spanish: Taj Gibson para niños