Top 10 NBA Players
MICHAEL JORDAN
Position: Shooting Guard and Small Forward ▪ Shoots: Right
Height: 6-6 ▪ Weight: 195 lbs.
High School: Emsley A. Laney in Wilmington, North Carolina
College: University of North Carolina
NBA Debut: October 26, 1984
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2009 (Full List)
Other Pages: College Basketball Stats
Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963), also known by his initials, MJ,[1] is an American former professionalbasketball player. He is also a businessman, and principal owner and chairman of the Charlotte Hornets. Jordan played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards. His biography on the NBA website states: "By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time."[2] Jordan was one of the most effectively marketed athletes of his generation and was considered instrumental in popularizing the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s.[3]
After a three-season stint playing for coach Dean Smith at the University of North Carolina, where he was a member of theTar Heels' national championship team in 1982, Jordan joined the NBA's Chicago Bulls in 1984. He quickly emerged as a league star, entertaining crowds with his prolific scoring. His leaping ability, illustrated by performing slam dunks from the free throw line in slam dunk contests, earned him the nicknames "Air Jordan" and "His Airness". He also gained a reputation for being one of the best defensive players in basketball.[4] In 1991, he won his first NBA championship with the Bulls, and followed that achievement with titles in 1992 and 1993, securing a "three-peat". Although Jordan abruptly retired from basketball before the beginning of the 1993–94 NBA season to pursue a career in baseball, he returned to the Bulls in March 1995 and led them to three additional championships in 1996, 1997, and 1998, as well as an NBA-record 72 regular-season wins in the 1995–96 NBA season. Jordan retired for a second time in January 1999, but returned for two more NBA seasons from 2001 to 2003 as a member of the Wizards.
Jordan's individual accolades and accomplishments include five Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards, ten All-NBA First Team designations, nine All-Defensive First Team honors, fourteen NBA All-Star Game appearances, three All-Star Game MVP Awards, ten scoring titles, three steals titles, six NBA Finals MVP Awards, and the 1988 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. Among his numerous accomplishments, Jordan holds the NBA records for highest career regular season scoring average (30.12 points per game) and highest career playoff scoring average (33.45 points per game). In 1999, he was named the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century by ESPN, and was second to Babe Ruth on the Associated Press's list of athletes of the century. Jordan is a two-time inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame, having been enshrined in 2009 for his individual career, and again in 2010 as part of the group induction of the 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team ("The Dream Team").
Jordan is also known for his product endorsements. He fueled the success of Nike's Air Jordan sneakers, which were introduced in 1985 and remain popular today.[5] Jordan also starred in the 1996 feature film Space Jam as himself. In 2006, he became part-owner and head of basketball operations for the then-Charlotte Bobcats, buying controlling interest in 2010. In 2015, Jordan became the first billionaire NBA player in history.
LEBRON JAMES
Position: Small Forward and Power Forward and Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
Height: 6-8 ▪ Weight: 240 lbs.
High School: Saint Vincent-Saint Mary in Akron, Ohio
Recruiting Rank: 2003 (1)
NBA Debut: October 29, 2003
Experience: 12 years
LeBron Raymone James (/ləˈbrɒn/; born December 30, 1984) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has started at the small forward and power forward positions. James has won two NBA championships, four NBA Most Valuable Player Awards, two NBA Finals MVP Awards, two Olympic gold medals, an NBA scoring title, and the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He has also been selected to 11 NBA All-Star teams, 11 All-NBA teams, and six All-Defensive teams, and is the Cavaliers' all-time leading scorer.
James played high school basketball at St. Vincent–St. Mary High School in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, where he was highly promoted in the national media as a future NBA superstar. After graduating, he was selected with the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft by the Cavaliers. James led Cleveland to the franchise's first Finals appearance in 2007, losing to the San Antonio Spurs. In 2010, he left the Cavaliers for the Miami Heat in a highly publicized ESPN special titled The Decision. James played four seasons for the Heat, reaching the Finals all four years and winning back-to-back championships in 2012 and2013. In 2013, he led Miami on a 27-game winning streak, the second longest in league history. Following his final season with the Heat, James opted out of his contract and re-joined the Cavaliers. Behind his leadership, Cleveland advanced to theFinals before losing to the Golden State Warriors.
Off the court, James has accumulated considerable wealth and fame as a result of numerous endorsement deals. His public life has been the subject of much scrutiny and he has been ranked as one of America's most influential and popular athletes. He has been featured in books, documentaries, and television commercials, and has hosted the ESPY Awards and Saturday Night Live.
KOBI BRYANT
Position: Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
Height: 6-6 ▪ Weight: 200 lbs.
Born: August 23, 1978 (Age 37.057) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Relatives: Son of Joe Bryant; Nephew of Chubby Cox
High School: Lower Merion in Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Draft: Charlotte Hornets, 1st round (13th pick, 13th overall), 1996 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: November 3, 1996
Experience: 19 years
Kobe Bean Bryant (born August 23, 1978) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He entered the NBA directly from high school, and has played for the Lakers his entire career, winning five NBA championships. Bryant is a 17-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, and 12-time member of the All-Defensive team. He has led the league in scoring twice, and he ranks third on both the league's all-time regular season scoring and all-time postseason scoring lists.
The son of former NBA player Joe Bryant, Kobe Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania, where he was recognized as the top high school basketball player in the country. He declared his eligibility for the NBA draft upon graduation, and was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft by theCharlotte Hornets, then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. As a rookie, Bryant earned himself a reputation as a high-flyer and a fan favorite by winning the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest.
STEPHEN CURRY
Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
Height: 6-3 ▪ Weight: 185 lbs.
High School: Charlotte Christian in Charlotte, North Carolina
College: Davidson College
NBA Debut: October 28, 2009
Experience: 6 years
Other Pages: College Basketball Stats
Wardell Stephen "Steph" Curry II (born March 14, 1988)[1] is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is considered by some to be the greatest shooter in NBA history.[2][3][4] He was named the 2015 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and is a two-time NBA All-Star. He is the son of former NBA player Dell Curry, and the older brother of current NBA player Seth Curry.
Curry played college basketball for Davidson. There, he was twice named Southern Conference Player of the Year and set the all-time scoring record for both Davidson and the Southern Conference. During his sophomore year, Curry also set the single-season NCAA record for three-pointers made.[5]
Curry was selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors.[6] During the 2012–13 season, he set the NBA record for three-pointers made in a regular season with 272. The next season, Curry and teammateKlay Thompson set the NBA record for combined threes in a season with 484,[7] earning the pair the nickname the "Splash Brothers".[8][9] In 2014–15, Curry eclipsed his own record by knocking down his 273rd three-pointer on April 9, 2015,[10]finishing the regular season with 286. He was named MVP after leading the Warriors to a franchise-record and NBA-best 67 wins on the season.[11] In 2015 Curry led the Warriors to their first NBA championship since 1975.
ANTHONY DAVIS
Position: Power Forward and Center ▪ Shoots: Right
Height: 6-10 ▪ Weight: 220 lbs.
High School: Perspectives Charter School in Chicago, Illinois
Recruiting Rank: 2011 (1)
College: University of Kentucky
NBA Debut: October 31, 2012
Experience: 3 years
Anthony Marshon Davis, Jr. (born March 11, 1993)[1][2] is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He plays the power forward and center positions. Davis was selected first overall in the 2012 NBA draft by New Orleans, and is a two-time NBA All-Star. He also earned a gold medal playing with Team USA at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Davis played one season of college basketball at the University of Kentucky, when he was a unanimous first team All-American and the Consensus National Player of the Year. He also won the USBWA National Freshman of the Year, NABC Defensive Player of the Year and the Pete Newell Big Man Award. Davis led the NCAA in blocks and set Southeastern Conference and NCAA Division I freshman single-season blocked shots records. Davis led Kentucky to a National Championship and was named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA tournament. He left for the NBA and was drafted by New Orleans, then known as the New Orleans Hornets, and was selected that summer to play for the Team USA in the 2012 Olympics. After his rookie season, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. The next season, he became an All-Star for the first time and led the NBA in blocked shots per game.
PAUL GEORGE
Position: Small Forward and Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
Height: 6-9 ▪ Weight: 220 lbs.
High School: Knight in Palmdale, California
College: California State University, Fresno
NBA Debut: October 27, 2010
Experience: 5 years
Paul George (born May 2, 1990) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). George played high school basketball for Knight High School before playing two seasons of college basketball at Fresno State. He was selected by the Pacers with the 10th overall pick of the 2010 NBA draft. In 2013, he was selected to play in his first NBA All-Star Game, received the NBA Most Improved Player Award, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team and the All-Defensive Second Team
JAMES HARDEN\
Position: Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Left
Height: 6-5 ▪ Weight: 220 lbs.
High School: Artesia in Lakewood, California
Recruiting Rank: 2007 (17)
College: Arizona State University
NBA Debut: October 28, 2009
Experience: 6 years
James Edward Harden, Jr. (born August 26, 1989) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Harden played college basketball for Arizona State, where he was named a consensus All-American and Pac-10 Player of the Year in 2009. Harden was selected with the third overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft by Oklahoma City and became the first player drafted in Oklahoma City Thunder franchise history.[1] In 2012, he was named NBA Sixth Man of the Year with the Oklahoma City Thunder while helping them reach theNBA Finals. Harden was traded to Houston prior to the 2012–13 NBA season.
Harden is a two-time member of the United States national basketball team, winning gold medals in both the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2014 FIBA World Cup.
TONY PARKER
Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
Height: 6-2 ▪ Weight: 180 lbs.
Born: May 17, 1982 (Age 33.155) in Bruges, Belgium
Draft: San Antonio Spurs, 1st round (28th pick, 28th overall), 2001 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 30, 2001
Experience: 14 years
Height: 6-2 ▪ Weight: 180 lbs.
Born: May 17, 1982 (Age 33.155) in Bruges, Belgium
Draft: San Antonio Spurs, 1st round (28th pick, 28th overall), 2001 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 30, 2001
Experience: 14 years
William Anthony "Tony" Parker, Jr. (born 17 May 1982) is a French professional basketball player who currently plays for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
The son of a professional basketball player, Parker played for two years in the French basketball league before entering the2001 NBA draft. He was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 28th overall pick in the draft and quickly became their starting point guard. Parker has helped the Spurs win four NBA championships in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014.
Employing his pace and high field goal percentage to great effect, Parker has been named to six NBA All-Star games, threeAll-NBA Second Teams, and an All-NBA Third Team. He was also the 2007 NBA Finals MVP.
Playing for the France national basketball team, Parker was named as the EuroBasket 2013 MVP following his team's victory over Lithuania (80–66)[1] in the gold medal game. The point guard finished as the tournament's top scorer with 19 points per game.[2] In 2015 he became the all-time leading scorer in the EuroBasket competition.
Parker is also a music artist with his own music album, TP. He married actress Eva Longoria on 7 July 2007.[3] In November 2010, both parties filed for divorce.
KLAY THOMSON
Position: Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
Height: 6-7 ▪ Weight: 205 lbs.
Recruiting Rank: 2008 (58)
College: Washington State University
NBA Debut: December 25, 2011
Experience: 4 years
Klay Alexander Thompson (born February 8, 1990)[1] is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The son of former NBA player Mychal Thompson, he played college basketball for three seasons at Washington State University before being selected by Golden State with the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft. In 2014, he and teammate Stephen Curry set an NBA record with 484 combinedthree-pointers in a season[2] as the pair were given the nickname the "Splash Brothers".[3][4] Thompson was named an NBA All-Star and selected to the All-NBA Team in 2015, and helped lead the Warriors to their first NBA championship since 1975.
ANDRE IGUODALA
Position: Small Forward and Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
Height: 6-6 ▪ Weight: 207 lbs.
High School: Lanphier in Springfield, Illinois
Recruiting Rank: 2002 (27)
College: University of Arizona
NBA Debut: November 3, 2004
Experience: 11 years
Andre Tyler Iguodala (ig-wə-dah-lə; born January 28, 1984) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The swingman was an NBA All-Star in 2012 and has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Team twice. Iguodala won an NBA championship with the Warriors in 2015, when he was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP). He was also a member of the United States national team at the 2010 FIBA World Championship and 2012 Summer Olympics, winning the gold medal both times.
Iguodala went to Lanphier High School in Springfield, Illinois before attending the University of Arizona. After completing two years, he declared for the 2004 NBA draft where he was drafted with the ninth overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers. Iguodala played in Philadelphia until the summer of 2012, when he was traded to the Denver Nuggets in a four team trade. He was acquired by Golden State in 2013. In 2014–15, he became a reserve for the first time in his career, but captured the Finals MVP after he returned to the starting lineup in the middle of series.
