Antawn Jamison

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Antawn Jamison

Position	Power forward
League	NBA
Height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Weight	235 lb (107 kg)
Team	Washington Wizards
Nationality	United States
Born	June 12, 1976 Shreveport, Louisiana
College	North Carolina
Draft	4th overall, 1998 Toronto Raptors
Pro career	1998 – present
Former teams	Golden State Warriors (1998–2003) Dallas Mavericks (2003–2004)

Antawn Cortez Jamison (born June 12, 1976, in Shreveport, Louisiana) is an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He currently plays power forward for the Washington Wizards and the USA National Team.

Jamison played college basketball at University of North Carolina for three seasons, averaging 19.0 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. Selected by the Toronto Raptors with the fourth pick of the 1998 NBA Draft, Jamison was immediately dealt to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for former North Carolina teammate and best friend Vince Carter.

Jamison spent the first five years of his NBA career with the Warriors, and despite a disappointing rookie season, was often the only bright spot on a low-performing team. He averaged a career-high 24.9 points per game in 2000-01, his third season in the league. In 2003, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in an eight-player deal, and experienced his first winning season in 2003-04 as the Mavericks finished 52-30 and made the playoffs, which marked the first time in his career that Jamison has experience post-season play. Jamison was also named as the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year for his efforts. Unfortunately for the Mavericks, they suffered a setback in the first round, falling in five games to the Sacramento Kings.

At season's end Jamison was traded again, this time to the Wizards, in exchange for fellow former Tarheel Jerry Stackhouse, Christian Laettner, and a first round draft pick (which turned out to be University of Wisconsin point guard, Devin Harris).

In the 2004-2005 season with the Wizards, he was named to the NBA All-Star team for the first time in his career and the Wizards enjoyed a stellar 45-37 win-loss season, their finest effort in 26 years. They also made the playoffs for the first time since 1997 and advanced to the second round for the first time since 1982.

[edit] Philanthropy

Jamison played high school basketball at Providence High in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jamison has also launched a campaign which he calls "A Better Tomorrow" which he hopes to use to provide the underprivileged which a chance at a better future. He says of the project: "As a professional athlete, I have an obligation to help those less fortunate. I really enjoy being in a position to aid my community - both in the Bay Area and back home in Charlotte - and put a smile on somebody's face. That is what it is all about. I think it is especially important to give back during the holidays, when people tend to feel a little down if things are not going too well." [1]

[edit] Trivia

• His name was accidentally printed as "Antawn" instead of "Antwan" on his birth certificate. However, his family decided to keep the misspelling as they felt it would be more unique. ^{[citation needed]} His first name is still pronounced as though it were spelled "Antwan" or "Antoine". [2]

[edit] External links

• NBA.com - Antawn Jamison
• Official Website of Antawn Jamison

Preceded by: Tim Duncan

Naismith College Player of the Year (men) 1998

Succeeded by: Elton Brand

Preceded by: Tim Duncan

John R. Wooden Award (men) 1998

Succeeded by: Elton Brand

Preceded by: Tim Duncan

Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year 1998

Succeeded by: Elton Brand