May 30, 2008
Game 6 - NBA Eastern Conference Final
May 28, 2008
Game 5 - NBA Eastern Conference Final
May 26, 2008
Game 4 - NBA Eastern Conference Final
May 22, 2008
Game 2 - NBA Eastern Conference Finals
May 16, 2008
Kevin Maurice Garnett (born May 19, 1976 in Mauldin,
South Carolina) is an American professional
basketball player for the NBA's Boston Celtics. The
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m), 220 lb (100 kg/16 st) power
forward is regarded as one of the best all-around
players in NBA history. His accomplishments include
being voted Most Valuable Player of the 2003-04
season, NBA Defensive Player of the Year of the
2007-08 season, being named to eleven All-Star teams
and being named to eight All-NBA and All-Defensive
Teams. He is also the all-time leader in NBA seasons
played with averages of at least 20 points, 10
rebounds, and 5 assists per game.
After graduating from Farragut Career Academy, he
was the fifth player drafted in 1995. He became the
first NBA player drafted directly out of high school
in 20 years. His nicknames include "The Big Ticket",
"KG", "Go-Go Gadget Arms", "The Kid", and formerly
"The Franchise" (after being known as the Minnesota
Timberwolves' franchise player).
Garnett was born in Mauldin, South Carolina to
Shirley Garnett and O'Lewis McCullough. In his first
three high school years, Garnett played for Mauldin
High School. However, during the summer prior to his
senior year of high school, Kevin was in the general
vicinity of a fight between black and white
students. Although not directly involved, Garnett
was arrested. Due to the racially charged incident
and fearful of being a target, Garnett decided to
leave Mauldin. He transferred to Farragut Career
Academy in Chicago, Illinois for his senior year of
high school. He led Farragut to a 28–2 record and
was named National High School Player of the Year by
USA Today. He was named Mr. Basketball for the State
of Illinois after averaging 25.2 points, 17.9
rebounds, 6.7 assists and 6.5 blocks while shooting
66.7% from the field. In four years of high school,
Garnett posted an impressive 2,533 points, 1,807
rebounds and 739 blocked shots. He was named the
Most Outstanding Player at the McDonald's
All-American Game after registering 18 points, 11
rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocked shots, and then
declared himself eligible for the 1995 NBA Draft.
Garnett played alongside Ronnie Fields in high
school, who also followed a professional career.
Garnett also excelled in soccer during his high
school days.
Garnett married long time girlfriend Brandi Padilla
during a private ceremony in California. The wedding
was the reason he did not take part in the Olympic
games. The marriage also made Garnett the
brother-in-law of music producer Jimmy Jam Harris.
Garnett is also a cousin to former Los Angeles
Lakers player Shammond Williams, and is the half
brother of Louis McCullough, who plays for the ABA's
Syracuse Raging Bullz.
In November 2005, Garnett donated $1.2 million to
Oprah's Angel Network to help with Hurricane Katrina
relief efforts.
He is a soccer fan, being known to follow the
English Premier League, as well as having been
spotted at various Los Angeles Galaxy games.
In the New England area, Garnett is a resident of
Concord, Massachusetts, owning a home worth roughly
$4.6 million.
Although Garnett is officially listed as 6 ft 11 in
(2.11 m) by the NBA, many, including the Celtics
organization, believe he is "6 ft 13 in" tall, or in
other words, 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m). During the 2007 NBA
All-Star Game, Garnett admitted in an interview with
Craig Sager to be 6 ft 11.75 in (2.13 m) tall.
On April 18, 2008, Garnett's wife Brandi gave birth
to a baby, which answered questions as to why he did
not appear at two of the team's practices leading up
to their playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks.
