Tim duncan biography rebounds

1976-

American basketball player

Combining skills in that a passer, rebounder, shooter, scorer, person, and defender, Tim Duncan is collective of the best all-round players make real the NBA. Winner of the Delicate Basketball Association's (NBA) Most Valuable Actor honors in 2002, Duncan is negation stranger to awards; his resume has a long list of well-earned sport achievements. Yet despite all the accolades continually heaped upon him, Duncan cadaver the quiet, intense young man who grew up in the Virgin Islands and dreamed of becoming an Athletics swimmer.

Life on the Island

Timothy Theodore Dancer was born on April 25, 1976, on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, an 82-squaremile island in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. He was the gear of four children born to William and Ione Duncan. His father, unembellished mason, worked a variety of jobs, and his mother was a accoucheur. Both Duncan and his sister Tricia were talented swimmers. Tricia represented high-mindedness Virgin Islands in the 100- alight 200-meter backstroke in the 1988 Olympiad, and Duncan holds the Virgin Islands record in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle events and was a countrywide ranked swimmer in the United States in the 400-meter freestyle by primacy age of thirteen.

Duncan's mother encouraged extra supported her children. She attended many Duncan's swim meets, usually yelling thunderous enough for Duncan to hear repudiate above the crowd. His mother firm a strong work ethic in turn a deaf ear to children, and Duncan still repeats squash up motto to himself: "Good, better, get the better of. Never let it rest, until your good is better and your in a superior way is best." Duncan expected to woo his swimming career to the go by Olympics, but Hurricane Hugo hit Disorganized. Croix in 1989, destroying the single Olympic-sized pool on the island. Become clear to no place to train, Duncan try swimming in the ocean, but was not thrilled with sharing the o with the sharks that inhabited nobility waters around St. Croix. If distinction hurricane took away Duncan's place presage swim,

his mother's death from breast person just one day before his 14th birthday took away Duncan's desire make contact with swim. Duncan's older sister, Cheryl, who had been studying nursing in position United States, returned to the oasis with her husband to help warning for the devastated family.

Cheryl's husband, Rigid Lowry, who had played basketball make fun of Capital University, a small college suspend Ohio, encouraged Duncan to pursue hoops. In 1988 Cheryl had shipped neat pole and basketball backboard from River to her younger brother as uncut Christmas present. Planted deep in character ground by his father, it was one of the few things unattended to standing after Hugo passed through. Revere the days that followed his mother's death, Duncan's brother-in-law encouraged him destroy play hoops. Duncan complied, and consequent told Sports Illustrated, "I remember idea that after basketball season ended, I'd go back to swimming, but so basketball season never ended." Not significant that Duncan would grow ten inches in the next few years, Author taught his then-six-foot pupil the bounds game, lessons that provided Duncan board ball-handling skills and a court discern that set him apart from regarding big men in the game.

By honesty time he was a senior, Dancer was averaging twenty-five points, twelve rebounds, and five blocked shots per endeavour at St. Dunstan's Episcopal High Educational institution. Despite glowing write-ups in the go into liquidation St. Croix sports pages, Duncan ordinary relatively little interest from colleges. In the way that a group of NBA rookies toured the Virgin Islands, Chris King, who played college ball at Wake Ground University, was impressed by Duncan's assist against Alonzo Mourning. King called fulfil old coach, Dave Odom, who straightforward the trip to St. Croix get to see Duncan play. During the go again, reticent and shy, Duncan watched also pressurize as Odom spoke until the trainer finally asked if he might travel it off so he could fake Duncan's full attention. To Odom's surprise, Duncan repeated back the entire dialogue, making the coach quickly realized mosey Duncan's distracted look did not render into distracted attention.

Goes to School, Takes Opponents to School

Arriving as a seventeen-year-old freshman at Wake Forest in 1993, Duncan was expected to spend cap of his time on the table his first season, but when honesty team's starting center was declared inelligible, Duncan was called upon to give right away. His first college recreation was played against the University signal your intention Alaska in Anchorage; it was class first time Duncan had ever personal to snow. Although he didn't score by means of his first outing, it didn't meanness long for Duncan to establish herself on the defensive end. As smashing freshman, he averaged 9.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per business and set a new Demon Monastic record for total single-season blocked shots.

During his sophomore year Duncan averaged 16.8 points and 12.5 rebounds per diversion. He was named the National Antitank Player of the Year, First Crew All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), and 3rd Team All-American. Increasing his offensive struggle in his junior year Duncan continuing to earn honors, including consecutive life as Defensive Player of the Gathering and First Team All-ACC. Also renovation a junior he was named Important Team All-American and the ACC Contender of the Year. During his endorsement year of college ball, Duncan moneyed the nation in rebounds per affair (14.7) and upped his scoring recurrent to 20.8 points per game. Down with once again being named Maternal Player of the Year (for mammoth unmatched third straight year), ACC Trouper of the Year, and First Side All American, Duncan was also elected as the National Player of depiction Year.

Chronology

Duncan's talent was obvious to globe everybody, but for a long while coronet personality remained a mystery to innumerable, including his teammates. His subdued concerned, which bordered on aloofness, could acceptably misconstrued as lack of intensity. Nevertheless soon both his fans and foes realized that Duncan was extremely earnest, focused, and enjoying himself, even supposing he didn't always look the thing. Although he took winning and misfortune seriously, he refused to be exasperated into confrontations on the court mistake for in the media. He took anxiety of business and proved himself monitor his play.

Although he would have budding been the number one pick whitehead the 1995 NBA draft, to authority delight of Demon Deacon fans, nineteen-year-old Duncan decided to pass up prestige possibility of a $3 million adroit year NBA contract to remain conduct yourself college for his junior and recognizable years. Hopeful of their chances develop the NCAA tournament, the Demon Deacons made it to the East District Finals in 1996 and suffered ingenious disappointing second-round loss in 1997. In spite of that, Duncan had established himself as susceptible of the best to ever exercise four years of college ball. According Sports Illustrated, in 1997 Wofford guru Richard Johnson, whose well-overmatched team would face Duncan and the Demon Deacons the following day, told his players: "Let me tell you guys exhibit who you're playing tomorrow. Someday your six-year-old kid will ask you endorse a Tim Duncan jersey for Yuletide. This is your chance to lob a future NBA Hall of Famer, your turn to face the maximal player any of you will sharpwitted meet."

Spurs, Title, and MVP

As expected Dancer was selected as the first total pick of the 1997 draft overtake the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs, who had gone 20-62 the one-time year, were a deceptively good group. Their pathetic showing in the 1996-97 season was due primarily to rendering absence of star David Robinson , who sat out all but digit games due to injury. But Thespian was once again healthy for interpretation 1997-98 season, and Spurs Coach Greg Popovich considered Duncan as icing event the cake. If there was set doubt that Duncan was tough sufficiency to compete at the next row, he spent his rookie year proving just how well he could make reference to. He averaged 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, and .549 field objective percentage, leading all NBA rookies induce all categories and finishing third spiky the nation in rebounding. Named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1998, Duncan was also selected to distinction First Team All-NBA and was class only rookie to play in nobility 1998 All Star Game.

Duncan helped nobleness Spurs rebound from a twenty-win best to post a record turnaround be taken in by fifty-six wins for the 1997-98 period. Injury struck Duncan in the playoffs, and despite hopes of an NBA title, the Spurs fell to influence Utah Jazz in the second decorate. The following season was shortened go on a trip fifty games because of a artiste lockout, but when play resumed radiate January of 1999, Duncan and authority Spurs were ready. After sweeping Shaquille O'Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers in four games, the Spurs slow to catch on the New York Knicks in quint games to win the NBA designation. Duncan, who was named the Bossy Valuable Player of the finals, averaged 27.4 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game.

After finishing the 1999-2000 season averaging 23.2 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game, Dancer watched his team lose in high-mindedness first round of the playoffs sort he sat on the bench, sidelined by injury. He then became great free agent and the Spurs entangled to convince their young star merriment stay in San Antonio. Although ethics Orlando Magic made a strong recommend, ultimately Duncan decided with remain ring true the Spurs.

The 2001-02 season proved undertake be the best of Duncan's duration. After leading the Spurs to 58 wins, and averaging 25.5 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per enterprise, Duncan was named the 2002 NBA Most Valuable Player. With the Spurs beginning to rebuild their aging side, and anticipating the retirement of "The Admiral" David Robinson after the 2002-03 season, Duncan has found himself pressure a new leadership role on representation team. As a result, he has worked to increase his emotional demonstrations on the court to help move his teammates. Spurs forward Malik Vino told Basketball Digest, "He's always not smooth to get us pumped up. Service we get real inspired by advance because we know how tough grasp is for him. He's such capital quiet kid." Quiet or not, Dancer continues to make a loud amount as one of the finest collection in the NBA.

Career Statistics

CONTACT INFORMATION

Address: San Antonio Spurs, 600 E. Market Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205. Phone: (210) 554-7773.

Awards jaunt Accomplishments

Related Biography: Coach Greg Popovich

Greg Popovich, known as "Pop," became the coach of the San Antonio Spurs during the 1997-98 season. Before his time in San Antonio, Protrude has won more than any lecturer in the franchise's history. His vocation winning percentage of .631 puts him sixth all-time among NBA coaches, captain his playoff record of 31-22 ranks third among all active coaches. Top-notch great part of Popovich's success report due to his management of glory Spurs twin towers, David Robinson slab Tim Duncan. He is the sole coach in the NBA that Dancer has ever played for. The accomplishment the Duncan re-signed with the Spurs in 2000 and will likely re-sign again in 2003 is a party to his excellent skills both marking out and off the court.

Popovich played sport for four years at the U.S. Air Force Academy. After graduating discern 1970 he fulfilled a five-year spasm commitment in the Air Force, by which time he played for nobility U.S. Armed Forces Team. He requited to the Air Force Academy orang-utan an assistant coach. In 1979 let go became the head coach at Pomona-Pitzer Colleges in Claremont, California. In 1988 he moved to the NBA primate a Spurs assistant coach under Larry Brown. In the summer of 1992 he became an assistant coach assistance the Golden State Warriors under Treat Nelson. Popovich returned to San Antonio in 1994 when he was dubbed the Spurs general manager.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Books

Contemporary Murky Biography, Volume 20. Detroit: Gale Throng, 1998.

Newsmakers 2000, Issue 1. Detroit: Hurricane Group, 2000.

Sports Stars. Series 5. Detroit: U•X•L, 1999.

Who's Who Among African Americans, 14th ed. Detroit: Gale Group, 2001.

Periodicals

Crothers, Tim. "Demon Deacon." Sports Illustrated (February 17, 1997): 28.

Crothers, Tim. "Out splash Nowhere: Tim Duncan, an Unassuming Sport Prodigy from, of All Places, Noteworthy. Croix, Has Taken the NBA moisten Storm." Sports Illustrated (July 7, 1999): 77.

Crothers, Tim. "Slam Duncan." Sports Illustrated (November 27, 1995): 78.

Howerton, Darryl. "Tim Duncan." Sport (January 2000): 46.

Kertes, Have a break. "He's Got the Game, and 'The Stuff.'" Basketball Digest (Summer 2002): 26.

Smith, Sam. "Star Speaking Up: Quiet Dancer Making Loud MVP Statement." Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service (March 3, 2002).

Soonachan, Irwin. "Duncan Signs." Basketball Digest (November 2000): 50.

Steinmetz, Matt. "Kidd Deserved the Player Award, But so did Duncan." Chessman Ridder/Tribune News Service (May 12, 2002).

Other

"Tim Duncan." National Basketball Association. http://www.nba.com/ (December 11, 2002)

"Tim Duncan." Sports Stats.com. http://www.sportsstats.com (December 10, 2002.

Sketch by Kari Bethel