Kwame Brown

This article is about a basketball player. For the politician, see Kwame R. Brown.

Kwame Brown

Kwame Brown
No. 54 – Golden State Warriors
Center
Personal information
Born	March 10, 1982 (1982-03-10) Charleston, South Carolina
Nationality	American
High school	Glynn Academy
Listed height	6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight	270 lb (122 kg)
Career information
NBA Draft	2001 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
Selected by the Washington Wizards
Pro career	2001–present
Career history
2001–2005	Washington Wizards
2005–2008	Los Angeles Lakers
2008	Memphis Grizzlies
2008–2010	Detroit Pistons
2010–2011	Charlotte Bobcats
2011–present	Golden State Warriors
Career highlights and awards
Mr. Georgia Basketball (2001)
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Kwame James Brown (born March 10, 1982 in Charleston, South Carolina) is an American professional basketball player currently with the Golden State Warriors. The 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m), 270 lb (120 kg; 19 st) center was the 1st overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards, and was the first number one draft pick to be selected straight out of high school. He has also played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Detroit Pistons, and Charlotte Bobcats.

High school

Brown was consistently rated as the "best high school player" in his class, which also included high school standouts Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler. He was the high school player of the year as a senior in Georgia. Brown finished his high school career at the historic Glynn Academy (in Brunswick, Georgia) as the school's all-time leading rebounder (1,235) and shot-blocker (605), and also finished second all-time as a scorer and he was named to the 2001 McDonald's All-American Team.

NBA career

Washington Wizards

Originally signing a letter of intent to play for the University of Florida, he later declared for the 2001 NBA Draft. The Washington Wizards, under team president Michael Jordan, decided to use their first overall pick on him. Additionally, the expectations upon Brown were increased by the fact that Jordan, acclaimed as the greatest basketball player ever, had chosen him. Following a pre-draft workout with the Wizards, it has been reported that Brown told then-Wizards coach Doug Collins, "If you draft me, you'll never regret it."

Perhaps as a result of hype and high expectations, Brown's rookie season was marred by a lack of maturity and production on the court. In his rookie year, Brown averaged 4.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

However, the Wizards believed in Brown's potential. In his second season as a professional, Brown saw more action in the league. He started 20 out of the 80 games he played and the total minutes he played doubled. Brown improved his numbers, posting averages of 7.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. In his third season, Brown continued to improve, posting career highs in both points (10.9) and rebounds (7.4). He also demonstrated his great potential during a game against the Sacramento Kings, during which he registered 30 points and 19 rebounds.

After his first three years in Washington, Brown rejected a five-year, $30 million contract offer, electing instead to test the free-agent market when his contract expired after the season. In his fourth season, Brown took a noticeable step back in his development^{[citation needed]} and was limited to 42 games due to injuries. His highest-scoring game of the season was only 19 points, compared to his season-high of 30 the year before, and he averaged just 7.0 points per game. Late in the season, criticism increased; he feuded with Gilbert Arenas, other teammates, and his coach Eddie Jordan.

Los Angeles Lakers

On August 2, 2005, Brown and Laron Profit were traded to the Lakers in exchange for Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins. This move was met with some controversy from fans who disliked Brown's reputation and his label as an "under-achiever." In the beginning of the season, he averaged just above 6 points and 6 rebounds.

On December 26, 2005, he played his first game at the Washington Wizards' MCI Center (now known as Verizon Center) as a Laker. The sold-out crowd of 20,173 fans loudly booed him upon entering the game and whenever he touched the ball. In the second quarter, Brown was looking the other way when teammate Sasha Vujačić threw a pass his way. The ball bounced off his head and landed out of bounds, which was met with loud cheers from the crowd. Brown called the reception "weak" and stated that "they should be cheering that I'm gone." The Wizards won the game 94–91.

When Lakers center Chris Mihm went down with a season-ending ankle injury on March 12, 2006, Brown took over the starting center position. During his stint as a center, he raised his averages from 6.1 points and 6.3 rebounds to 12.3 points and 9.1 rebounds and started every game for the Lakers in the playoffs. Brown became a central part of the Lakers seven-game series with the Phoenix Suns. Although they ended up losing the series, it had appeared that Kwame Brown's potential was beginning to show. The surprising consistency Brown showed while playing center prompted Phil Jackson to make Brown the starting center in the 2006–2007 season. Brown was injured at the beginning of the season and Mihm was also out with injury for the whole season, so the starting job at center was given to the young Andrew Bynum. After playing the majority of the minutes at center despite the bench role, he was given the starting job in early December. Brown again became injured in the 2007–08 season which allowed Bynum to start again at the center position where he has now flourished. However, when Bynum suffered a knee injury that appeared to jeopardize the Lakers' playoff chances, Brown regained his starting position. As a starter, Brown disappointed many Laker fans, with his lackluster performance and apparent lack of focus during games, highlighted by one game where he missed an open dunk and registered more turnovers (7) than rebounds (6) en route to a Lakers loss. Though Kobe Bryant stuck by his teammate after the game and rebuked Lakers fans who booed Brown, it increasingly appeared that the chances that Brown would recognize his potential were diminishing and with them the Lakers' chances of making the playoffs that year.^{[citation needed]}

Memphis Grizzlies

On February 1, 2008, Brown was traded along with Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, the draft rights to Marc Gasol, and the Lakers' 2008 and 2010 first-round draft picks for Pau Gasol and a second-round pick in 2010. The trade was widely seen around the league as a steal for the Lakers, as they were able to obtain the star Gasol for the maligned Brown. The trade helped vault the Lakers to the first seed in the Western Conference by the end of the season, while doing little to help the already struggling Grizzlies. On July 1, 2008, the Memphis Grizzlies chose not to sign Kwame Brown to a new contract, making him an unrestricted free agent.^{[citation needed]}

Detroit Pistons

On July 28, 2008, ESPN.com reported that the Detroit Pistons signed Brown to a 2-year deal worth $8 million. The second year was a player option.

Charlotte Bobcats

On August 23, 2010, Brown signed a 1-year deal with the Charlotte Bobcats and reunited with Michael Jordan.

Golden State Warriors

On December 14, 2011, Brown signed one year $7 million contract with the Golden State Warriors.

Career transactions

• June 27, 2001: Drafted 1st overall by Washington Wizards in 2001 NBA Draft.
• August 2, 2005: Traded by Washington along with Laron Profit to the Los Angeles Lakers for Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins.
• February 1, 2008: Traded by L.A. Lakers along with Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, draft rights of Marc Gasol and two future first-round draft picks to the Memphis Grizzlies for Pau Gasol and a future second-round draft pick.
• August 4, 2008: Signed as a free agent by Detroit Pistons.
• August 23, 2010: Signed as a free agent by Charlotte Bobcats.
• December 13, 2011: Signed as a free agent by Golden State Warriors.

Personal

Rape accusation

Brown was under a Los Angeles Police Department investigation of a rape allegation in 2006. A woman reported that Brown sexually assaulted her after Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs against the Phoenix Suns. He was cleared of all charges by the Los Angeles District Attorney's office on July 11, 2006.

Cake incident

According to a police report, on the night of Saturday, January 13, 2007, Brown was accused by a man of throwing a cake at him. The man said that as he was carrying the 2 x 2 foot chocolate cake down the street in Hermosa Beach, California, he spotted Brown's Lakers teammate Ronny Turiaf who agreed to pose for a photograph with him. The Lakers had been out celebrating Turiaf's birthday when Brown then arrived on the scene, who grabbed away the cake and threw it back at the man. The man offered no reason for the cake throw in the report. It was said Brown was actually attempting to throw it at Turiaf as a joke, believing the cake belonged to him but missed. They then dispersed, with Brown departing in a limousine. A "grand theft of a person" case was presented by detectives to the city attorney's office, but Brown was not prosecuted. Brown later compensated the man by buying him dinner at the Arena Club at the Staples Center.

2007 arrest

Early on Saturday, September 29, 2007, Brown was arrested after his cousin Charles Warren Jr. was pulled over by police and charged in Valdosta, Georgia after being caught driving the opposite direction down a one-way street. A police spokesperson said that during the investigation, Brown told police the car belonged to him and that he was not in the vehicle at the time of the incident. He became disruptive and tried to interfere with the inquiry. Brown was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and interfering with a police investigation.

NBA career statistics

Legend
GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field-goal percentage	3P%	3-point field-goal percentage	FT%	Free-throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high

Regular season

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2001–02	Washington	57	3	14.3	.387	.000	.707	3.5	.8	.3	.5	4.5
2002–03	Washington	80	20	22.2	.446	.000	.668	5.3	.7	.6	1.0	7.4
2003–04	Washington	74	57	30.3	.489	.500	.683	7.4	1.5	.9	.7	10.9
2004–05	Washington	42	14	21.6	.460	.000	.574	4.9	.9	.6	.4	7.0
2005–06	L.A. Lakers	72	49	27.5	.526	.000	.545	6.6	1.0	.4	.6	7.4
2006–07	L.A. Lakers	41	28	27.6	.591	.000	.440	6.0	1.8	.9	1.2	8.4
2007–08	L.A. Lakers	23	14	22.1	.515	.000	.406	5.7	1.2	.7	.8	5.7
2007–08	Memphis	15	1	13.6	.487	.000	.412	3.8	1.1	.4	.3	3.5
2008–09	Detroit	58	30	17.2	.533	.000	.516	5.0	.6	.4	.4	4.2
2009–10	Detroit	48	1	13.8	.500	.000	.337	3.7	.5	.3	.2	3.3
2010–11	Charlotte	66	50	26.0	.517	.000	.589	6.8	.7	.4	.6	7.9
Career		576	267	22.5	.492	.111	.575	5.6	.9	.5	.6	6.8

Playoffs

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2004–05	Washington	3	0	20.0	.385	.000	.556	5.0	1.0	.0	.7	5.0
2005–06	L.A. Lakers	7	7	32.1	.523	.000	.710	6.6	1.0	.3	.9	12.9
2006–07	L.A. Lakers	5	5	26.6	.528	.000	.556	5.6	.2	.2	.8	8.6
2008–09	Detroit	3	0	16.0	.375	.000	.750	5.0	.0	.0	1.0	3.0
Career		18	12	25.9	.500	.000	.660	5.8	.6	.2	.8	8.7

Career highs

• Points: 30 vs. Sacramento 03/17/04
• Rebounds: 19 vs. Sacramento 03/17/04
• Assists: 7 vs. Atlanta 12/08/06
• Steals: 5 vs. Memphis 03/15/09
• Blocks: 6 vs. Boston 10/31/02

External links

• Kwame Brown at NBA.com
• Kwame Brown at Basketball-Reference.com
• Kwame Brown at ESPN.com
• Kwame Brown NBA Draft Page