Marcus Camby
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| Position | Power forward/Center |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
| Weight | 235 lb (107 kg) |
| Team | Denver Nuggets |
| Nationality | USA |
| Born | March 22 1974 Image:Flag of Connecticut.svg Hartford, Connecticut |
| College | UMass |
| Draft | 2nd overall, 1996 Toronto Raptors |
| Pro career | 1996–present |
| Former teams | Toronto Raptors (1996–1998) New York Knicks (1998–2002) |
| Awards | 1996 USBWA College Player of the Year 1996 John R. Wooden Award 1996 Naismith Award 1996-97 NBA All-Rookie First Team 2004-05 NBA All-Defensive Second Team 2005-06 NBA All-Defensive Second Team 2006-07 NBA Defensive Player of the Year 2006-07 NBA All-Defensive First Team |
Marcus D. Camby (born March 22, 1974 in Hartford, Connecticut) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays center for the Denver Nuggets of the NBA. He won the 2006-07 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award[1] while leading the league in blocked shots. His NCAA record at UMass was outstanding, earning him a Player of the Year award for 1995-1996. Marcus wore number 21 at UMass, a number formerly belonging to G. Sean Nelen. He led the team to numerous #1 rankings and the 1996 Final Four. The UMass Minutemen's visit to the Final Four was later officially vacated by the NCAA because Camby had been found to have accepted $28,000 from two sports agents.[2][3] In 1996, forgoing his senior year at the University of Massachusetts, he was selected by the Toronto Raptors as the second pick of the NBA Draft.
Camby's previous NBA teams were the Toronto Raptors (1996-1998) and the New York Knicks (1998-2002), who he was traded to in exchange for Charles Oakley. Although he has led the NBA in shots blocked for several seasons, constant injuries have limited the impact of his career in the NBA. However, the 2005-06 season was one of Camby's most successful, as he posted career highs in rebounds and steals and averaged 12.8 points a game, while helping lead the Nuggets to the playoffs.
Marcus Camby was arrested on charges of marijuana possession in South Windsor, Connecticut, after police stopped him for a driving offense in June 1997. On July 1 1997, he agreed to a plea deal that required him to complete sixteen hours of community service in exchange for dismissal of the drug charge.[4] Charges against Camby were dropped after he fulfilled the community service.
On April 23 2001, Camby's mother and two sisters were taken hostage in their own home by Hartford resident Troy Crooms. Crooms, who was charged with kidnapping, first-degree sexual assault, burglary and possession of a weapon, allegedly held the women at knife-point over an eight-hour long stand-off with police.[5]
He was also known for making comments regarding the NBA's dress code, implemented in the 2005-2006 season, saying that "I don't see it happening unless every NBA player is given a stipend to buy clothes." He was highly criticized for that quote, in large part because he was scheduled to make $7.5 million that season.[6]
Marcus Camby has always been committed to community outreach. He established Cambyland Youth Foundation non-profit organization in 1996. Cambyland partners with school and community organizations to provide opportunities for young people.
On 16 December 2006, he was involved in the Knicks-Nuggets brawl. Camby was ejected from the game along with nine others, but received no suspension.
On April 27, 2007, Camby received the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.[7] He averaged 3.3 blocks per game[7] (1st in league), 11.7 rebounds per game[7] (5th in league), (9.3 defensive (1st in league)), and 1.24 steals per game (2nd among centers[7][8][9]).
[edit] References
- ^ Spears, Marc J.; "Camby to win defensive award", The Denver Post, April 27, 2007
- ^ Decourcy, Mike; "An asterisk can't ruin UMass' Final Four dream", "The Sporting News", June 9, 1997
- ^ Vatour, Mark, "Remembering the magical Final Four season: Players and coaches reflect 10 years later" The Daily Hampshire Gazette, November 24, 2005.
- ^ Camby Arrested - New York Times
- ^ http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10F13FA3D5D0C778EDDAD0894D9404482&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fC%2fCamby%2c%20Marcus
- ^ Stern sure players will comply with dress code
- ^ a b c d Camby second Nugget to win top defensive award, published April 28, 2007
- ^ Camby unable to join team due to family matter posted May 17, 2007
- ^ 2007 Award Winners
[edit] External links
- NBA.com: Marcus Camby Player Info
- Current Stats
- Cambyland Foundation
- 1996 USBWA College Player of the Year
- Marcus Camby career, stats and more
| Preceded by Joe Smith | Naismith Award Winners Men 1996 | Succeeded by Tim Duncan |
| Preceded by Ed O'Bannon | Wooden Award Winners Men 1996 | Succeeded by Tim Duncan |
| Preceded by Ben Wallace | NBA Defensive Player of the Year 2007 | Succeeded by incumbent |
Categories: 1974 births | Living people | African American sportspeople | American basketball players | People from Hartford, Connecticut | UMass Minutemen basketball players | New York Knicks players | Toronto Raptors players | Denver Nuggets players | NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award winners | Centers (basketball) | Power forwards (basketball) | University of Massachusetts Amherst alumni
