Chris Bosh
- For the professional wrestler, see Chris Bosh (wrestler).
 | |
| Toronto Raptors | |
|---|---|
| Position | Power Forward |
| Personal information | |
| Born | March 24, 1984 Dallas, Texas |
| Nationality | USA |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 230 lb (104 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Lincoln High School, Dallas |
| College | Georgia Tech |
| NBA draft | 2003: 4th overall |
| Selected by the Toronto Raptors | |
| Playing career | 2003–present |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Christopher Wesson Bosh (born March 24 1984) is an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association who plays for the Toronto Raptors. Garnering an array of basketball accolades since his high school days, Bosh left college after one season to enter the 2003 NBA Draft. He was selected fourth overall in what proved to be a very competitive draft class. Since his NBA career began, Bosh, who plays the forward position, has emerged as one of the most established young stars in the NBA. In the process, he has become a two-time NBA All-Star, appeared for the USA National Team, and taken over former fan-favorite Vince Carter as the current face and leader of the Raptors franchise. Owing to his initials and jersey number, Bosh is nicknamed CB4, a name first coined by Toronto Raptors play-by-play commentator, Chuck Swirsky.[1] The nickname also alludes to a cult movie of the same name. Off the court, Bosh is noted for his philanthropy and active community service. In recognition of his own childhood experience, Bosh set up the Chris Bosh Foundation to help promote sports and education amongst youths in Dallas and Toronto.
Early life
Born in Dallas, Texas, to Noel and Freida Bosh,[2] Chris Bosh grew up in Hutchins, Texas.[3] A family-oriented person, Bosh would often play basketball in the house with his younger brother.[4] By four years of age, Bosh began learning how to dribble a basketball in the gym where his dad played pick-up games.[5] Although Bosh was always tall since young and this allowed him to out-rebound others in basketball games,[6] Bosh only started learning basketball around fourth grade at a playground near his grandmother's house.[4] Apart from basketball, Bosh also played baseball up till high school, preferring to play as first baseman.[4] Growing up, Bosh names his parents as the biggest influences on his personality and considered NBA superstar Kevin Garnett as his favorite athlete, modeling his play after him.[6] Academically, Bosh always did well in school[6] but he began to garner significant attention from college recruiters when he led Lincoln High School in Dallas to the number one ranking in the country and the USA Today National Championship with a perfect 40-0 season.[7]
Bosh went on to lead Lincoln High to win the Class 4A state title before 16,990 fans as he racked up 23 points, 17 rebounds and nine blocks. Bosh was subsequently named High School Player of the Year by Basketball America,[7] Powerade Player of the Year in Texas, a First-team all-American by Parade,[7] McDonald's,[7] SLAM Magazine[7] and EA Sports,[7] a Second-team all-American by USA Today,[7] a First-team all-state player,[7] and "Mr. Basketball" in Texas by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.[7]
Bosh eventually chose to follow the footsteps of his cousin and aunt by attending the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) to study graphic design and computer imaging, before switching to management.[4] There, he led the Yellow Jackets in averaging 15.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 31 games,[2] and led the Atlantic Coast Conference in field goal percentage (.560), joining Antawn Jamison as the only freshman ever to do so.[2] He left Georgia Tech after his freshman season[2] to pursue a pro career and entered the 2003 NBA Draft. Although Bosh has said that he misses his college days, he believes he made the right decision.[6] Nonetheless, he intends to obtain his college degree one day,[5] to fulfill a promise made to his mother.[4]
NBA career
2003-04
In a strong draft class comprising future All-Stars LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade, Bosh was selected fourth overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2003 NBA Draft and was signed by the Raptors on 8 July, 2003.[8] In his rookie season Bosh was forced to play out of position as the Raptors' starting center after Antonio Davis was traded to the Chicago Bulls.[9] Night in and night out the wiry teenager battled against opponents who had a significant size and strength advantage over him.[9] Bosh - who cited team-mate Michael Curry as his mentor -[6] was often praised by his coaches for his heart, and willingness to play through pain and injuries resulting from his lack of body strength compared to some of the league's strong forwards and centers.[10] Bosh's contributions were not unnoticed by team mates either,[11] as he averaged 11.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.41 blocks, and 33.5 minutes in 75 games, leading all rookies in rebounding and blocks, and setting a franchise record for most rebounds in a rookie season.[2] Bosh was rewarded by being selected to the All-Rookie First Team for the 2003-04 NBA season.[2]
2004-05
With the departure of the former disenchanted and often criticized franchise face Vince Carter on 17 December, 2004, Bosh was simultaneously anointed as the new leader around whom the franchise would build.[12] In the remaining games following Carter's departure, Bosh averaged 18.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 38.1 minutes per game, improving in every major statistical category.[2] In recognition of his efforts, he was awarded his first ever NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played between 3 and 9 January, 2005.[2] As the season drew to a close, analysts predicted that Bosh would become an All-Star one day.[13][14] Bosh ended the 2004-05 season as the leading scorer and leading rebounder for the team on 21 and 46 occasions respectively.[2]
2005-06
Prior to the 2005-06 NBA season, Bosh was named as one of the Raptors' team captains. Bosh continued to work on his game as he consistently chalked up double doubles, leading the team in scoring, rebounding, and field goal percentage for the first half of the season.[15] On 9 February, 2006, for the first time in his career, Bosh was selected to play in the 2006 NBA All-Star Game in Houston, Texas as a reserve forward for the Eastern Conference[2] - only the third Raptor to do so, after Vince Carter and Antonio Davis. This was just three days after Bosh was, for the second time in his career, named NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week.[15]
In March 2006, Bosh was accidentally kicked in the thumb by teammate Pape Sow and missed the rest of the season.[16] After his injury, the Toronto Raptors went 1-10,[17] highlighting Bosh's importance as the centerpiece of the offense, as well as the leader of the team. The Raptors finished the season 27-55 and Bosh averaged 22.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.[18]
Despite a major off-season revamp of the Raptors roster - including the departure of good friends Mike James and Charlie Villanueva - Bosh officially signed a three-year contract extension with a player option for a fourth year on 14 July, 2006.[19] The deal would pay him nearly $65 million US over the four years.[20] In signing the contract, Bosh said "I think the future is very positive for the franchise... change was needed... we have a lot of guys who just want to win and are willing to work hard."[20] During the same press conference announcing the agreement, Bosh also announced a donation of $1,000,000 to a Toronto charity, known as Community Legacy Programs.[19]
2006-07
On 25 January, 2007, Bosh was named an All-Star starter for the East in the 2007 NBA All-Star Game; he received the second highest number of votes among all Eastern Conference forwards, bested only by LeBron James.[21] This was Bosh's first All-Star start and second overall All-Star appearance, having averaged over 22 points and 11 rebounds in the first half of the season.[21]
On 31 January, 2007, in a game against the Washington Wizards, Bosh scored a 65-foot buzzer-beating shot to end the third quarter of the game.[22] He shot 15-of-15 after missing his first four shots.[23]
Bosh was selected Eastern Conference Player of the Month for January 2007.[24] He had averaged 25.4 points and 9.1 rebounds while leading the Raptors to a 10-5 record in the month of January. Bosh also recorded three games with 14 or more rebounds, and set a career-high six blocks[25] while leading the Raptors to a 90-77 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
On 7 February 2007, Bosh scored a career-high 41 points - overcoming Dwight Howard's career-high 32 points - in a 113-103 win over the Orlando Magic. Bosh shot 13-for-25 and recorded 8 rebounds (3 from the offensive glass) in 45 minutes and went 15-for-17 from the free-throw line.[26] His performance prompted the home fans to chant "MVP" - an unprecedented event in the Air Canada Centre.[27] Two days later, Bosh would collect 29 points and 11 rebounds against the Los Angeles Lakers, shooting 10-of-10 in the second half.[28] Bosh was also instrumental in a victory against the Chicago Bulls six days later (a team they had lost to the last 15 times they met), when he sank two free throws with 2.1 seconds remaining.[29]
International career
Bosh's international career began in 2002 when he was selected as a member of the 2002 USA Basketball Junior World Championship Qualifying Team that finished with a 4-1 record and the bronze medal.[30]
After his NBA career began, Bosh was named on 5 March, 2006, to the the 2006-2008 USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team program, and helped lead the team to a 5-0 record during its pre-World Championship tour.[30] On 17 August 2006, Bosh was named as a member of the 2006 USA World Championship Team.[30] Together with fellow 2003 draftees Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Kirk Hinrich, this team competed in the 2006 FIBA World Championship. The team won the bronze medal, defeating former 2004 Olympic champion Argentina.[31] Bosh was ranked sixth in field goal percentage.[30]
Style of play
Bosh, currently listed at 6'10" (2.08 m) and 230 pounds (104 kg),[18] possesses excellent speed, athleticism, and ball handling for a player of his size. He is particularly noted for his ability to drive to the basket and finish strong or get to the free throw line, but he is also known for his well-developed jump shot.[32] Bosh worked on his 3-point shooting during the summer of 2006 and showed improvement in the 2006-07 season. On 8 November, 2006, against the Philadelphia Sixers, he hit a game winning 3-point shot with 6.1 seconds left.[33] It was reminiscent of the 3-point shot that marked his "arrival" to the NBA in his first season, when he hit a game-tying 3-pointer against Houston to send the game to overtime.[2] As of 20 February, 2007, Bosh is shooting .345 from the 3-point arc.
In terms of leadership, Bosh has always led by example. On the court, he is not noted for being vocal, preferring to maintain his quiet and humble demeanor but expecting his team mates to match his work ethic.[32] Comparisons have also been made between Bosh and Kevin Garnett due to their similar style of play and physique.
Off the court life
Besides his on-the-court exploits, Bosh was a National Honor Society member and graduated with honors from Lincoln.[5] He is also a member of the National Society of Black Engineers and the Dallas Association of Minority Engineers.[5]
In the field of philanthropy, given that he was only a few years removed from a childhood not without its financial challenges,[5] Bosh established the Chris Bosh Foundation in 2004. The Foundation's website describes the Foundation as "a non-profit organization promoting social enrichment, education and physical fitness among youth. The Foundation assists youth in reaching the educational and athletic goals they set through mentoring and setting examples in the community." [34] The Foundation, with programs in Toronto and Dallas, has worked closely with organizations such as the Toronto Special Olympics to raise important funding for community projects.[5] It is currently chaired by Bosh's mother, Freida Bosh.[34] As an avid reader of books, Bosh also regularly speaks to groups of Toronto children about the benefits of reading,[3] and has received the NBA Community Assist Award for his active contributions for the Raptors community development program in Toronto during the course of the NBA campaign.[35]
NBA career statistics
- Correct as of 19 February 2007
| SEASON | TEAM | GP | MPG | SPG | BPG | RPG | APG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-04 | Toronto | 75 | 33.5 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 7.4 | 1.0 | 11.5 |
| 2004-05 | Toronto | 81 | 37.2 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 8.9 | 1.9 | 16.8 |
| 2005-06 | Toronto | 70 | 39.3 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 9.2 | 2.6 | 22.5 |
| 2006-07 | Toronto | 41 | 38.0 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 10.7 | 2.4 | 23.3 |
Accolades
- ACC Rookie of the Year (2002-03 at Georgia Tech)
- Member of U.S. National Basketball Team
- 2 time NBA All-Star (1 as a starter)
- NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month - January 2007
- NBA All Rookie Team (2003-04)
- Appeared in the 2004 and 2005 NBA rookie-sophomore game, which took place during the NBA's annual NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, California and Denver, Colorado respectively
Other achievements
- Third-youngest player in NBA history to record 1,000 career rebounds.[2]
- Fourth-youngest player in NBA history to record 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game.[2]
References
- ^ Mike Gallay, "The Birthday Bosh", Raptors.com, 24 March 2004.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Chris Bosh Info Page - Bio, NBA.com, accessed 21 February 2007.
- ^ a b Janice Mawhinney, "Playing by the book; Raptors star uses money and charisma to make sure literacy is a winner with Toronto schoolkids", Toronto Star, 26 November 2005.
- ^ a b c d e Glenn Colbourn, "A new Bosh in Raps' town", Toronto Star, 13 January 2004.
- ^ a b c d e f About, Official Website of Chris Bosh, accessed 21 February 2007.
- ^ a b c d e Andre Aldridge, "CHATTING WITH CB4", NBA.com, 2 January 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Player Bio: Chris Bosh, Ramblinwreck.com, accessed 20 February 2007.
- ^ "Raptors Sign Chris Bosh", Raptors.com, 8 July 2003.
- ^ a b Dave Feschuk, "Vegas trip leaves Bosh bushed", Toronto Star, 18 February 2007.
- ^ "Chris Bosh's evolution into an NBA star", CTV.ca, 18 February 2007.
- ^ Mike Kahn, "The sky, Bosh? Raptors rookie just getting started", CBS Sportsline, 26 January 2004.
- ^ 2004-05: End Of The Carter Era, Raptors.com, accessed 7 February 2007.
- ^ Norma Wick, "All Flights Cancelled, Raptors.com, 10 January 2005.
- ^ Mike Ball, "Still An All-Star In This Town", Raptors.com, 17 January 2005.
- ^ a b "Bosh Named NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Week", Raptors.com, 6 February 2006.
- ^ "Charlie Villanueva Nets 48 in OT Loss in Milwaukee", Raptors.com, 26 March 2006.
- ^ Raptors Schedules & Results 2005-2006, Raptors.com, accessed 20 February 2007.
- ^ a b Chris Bosh Info Page - Career Stats and Totals, NBA.com, accessed 21 February 2007. Cite error: The named reference "stats" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b "Raptors Re-Sign Bosh to Multi-Year Contract Extension", Raptors.com, 14 July 2006.
- ^ a b "Raptors Re-Sign Chris Bosh To Contract Extension", Raptors.com, 14 July 2006.
- ^ a b "Raptors voted all-star starter" CBC.ca, 25 January 2007.
- ^ Raptors Post Up, Raptors.com, 31 January 2007
- ^ Game Notes, Raptors.com, 31 January 2007
- ^ "Bosh named Eastern Conference Player of the Month", Raptors.com, 2 February 2007
- ^ Raptors Post Up, Raptors.com, 10 January 2007.
- ^ Raptors Post-Up, Raptors.com, 7 February 2007.
- ^ Doug Smith, Bosh's career-high 41 sparks 'M-V-P' chant, Toronto Star, 7 February 2007.
- ^ Post-Game Notes, Raptors.com, accessed 10 February 2007.
- ^ Raptors Post Up, Raptors.com, 13 February 2007.
- ^ a b c d USA Basketball: Bio: Chris Bosh, usabasketball.com, accessed 20 February 2007.
- ^ 2006 FIBA World Championship, fiba.com, accessed 8 February 2007.
- ^ a b Ian Thomsen, "Leading man", Sports Illustrated, 6 February 2007.
- ^ Raptors Post-Up, Raptors.com, 8 November 2006.
- ^ a b Official website, Chris Bosh Foundation, accessed 12 February 2007.
- ^ "Chris Bosh Receives NBA Community Assist Award", Raptors.com, 19 July 2005.
External links
- The Official Website of Chris Bosh - Bosh's official website
- Chris Bosh Foundation – information on foundation programs, events and activities
- NBA bio page
- "Leading man" (Sports Illustrated column)