- Michael Jordan
Mike's wife Jill is a mathematician, recently achieving her Ph.D. from Bryn Mawr College. They are expecting their first child in late April or early May 2006. Mike is a graduate of Houghton College in New York and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Liturgical Studies at Drew University in Madison, NJ.
- Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett (born) is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves. The, power forward is regarded as one of the best all around players in the game today. His accomplishments include having been voted Most Valuable Player of the 2003-04 NBA season, being named to ten All-Star teams, and being named to seven All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams. After graduating from Farragut Career Academy, he was the fifth player drafted in 1995.
- Paul Pierce
Paul Anthony Pierce (born October 13 1977 in Oakland, California) is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the NBA. He has been a starter every season since he was selected by the Celtics in the 1998 NBA Draft, and in 2002 he helped lead Boston to an appearance in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.
- Baron Davis
Baron Walter Louis Davis (born April 13 1979, in Compton, California) is an American basketball player currently starting at point guard for the NBA's Golden State Warriors. He began playing basketball at the age of five. Later, Davis became a star at Crossroads School and UCLA. Davis was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets as the number three pick in the 1999 NBA Draft.
- Ray Allen
Walter Ray Allen (born July 20, 1975) is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Boston Celtics, for whom he plays shooting guard. He has also played for the Milwaukee Bucks and Seattle SuperSonics. Allen is known as one of the best jump shooters in the history of the NBA, especially from three-point range.
- Chris Kaman
Christopher Zane Kaman (born April 28 1982, in Grand Rapids, Michigan) is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. Kaman stands seven feet tall (213 cm) and weighs 265 pounds (120 kg). Kaman played college basketball for Central Michigan University. The Los Angeles Clippers selected him with the sixth pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. Kaman played in 145 games in his first two NBA seasons, averaging 7.4 points per game, …
- Yao Ming
Yao Ming (born September 12 1980, in Shanghai, China) is a Chinese professional basketball player and is arguably the best center in the National Basketball Association (NBA) today. He is also among the tallest of players in the NBA standing at a height of 7'6". He is the only son of his father Yao Zhiyuan and Fang Fengdi. He played for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) for five years, and now plays center for the Houston Rockets in the NBA.
- Gilbert Arenas
Gilbert Jay Arenas Jr. (born January 6, 1982 in Florida) is an American professional basketball player currently with the NBA's Washington Wizards. Arenas overcame his modest NBA debut, including being a second-round draft pick, to establish himself as one of the most dominant and clutch players in the NBA. From the time of his entry into the league, Arenas's popularity soared.
- Tim Duncan
Timothy "Tim" Theodore Duncan (born April 25 1976 in Christiansted, St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands) is an American professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association. Duncan, current captain of the Spurs, is one of the most successful players of his generation. The 6'11", 260-pound power forward is a four-time NBA champion and a three-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.
- Dwyane Wade
Dwyane Tyrone Wade, Jr. (born January 17, 1982) is an American basketball player who currently plays for the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association (NBA). His nicknames include "Flash" and "D-Wade". Wade was named 2006 Sportsman of the Year by "Sports Illustrated". Despite the unorthodox spelling, Wade's first name is pronounced as "Dwayne"; often in print media, it is misspelled as such.
- Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony is an excellent basketball player. He has a well-rounded game and we like his new dread-free dome too. That being said, he's not an All-Star this season and for being overly upset with the decision, The Love of Sports is sending his supporters a healthy dose of Tough Love today.
- Tony Parker
William Anthony "Tony" Parker (born) is a French professional basketball player with the NBA's San Antonio Spurs and captain of France's national basketball team. After playing for two years in the French basketball league, Parker entered the 2001 NBA Draft and was selected by the San Antonio Spurs. He quickly became their starting point guard, helping the Spurs win three NBA Championships. Parker has been selected as an NBA All-Star twice and was the 2007 NBA Finals MVP.
- Pau Gasol
Pau Gasol Sáez (born July 6 1980, in Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona province, Catalonia, Spain) is a 7'0" (2.13 m) Spanish basketball player. Gasol played in the Spanish ACB League for FC Barcelona, where he had an average of 11.3 points per game. He now plays in the National Basketball Association for the Memphis Grizzlies, with whom he won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2002. Selected third overall in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, …
- Chris Paul
Christopher Emmanuel "Chris" Paul (born May 6, 1985, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays point guard for the New Orleans Hornets of the NBA.
- Tracy McGrady
Tracy Lamar McGrady, Jr. (born May 24 1979, in Bartow, Florida), commonly nicknamed T-Mac, is an American professional basketball player currently positioned at starting Shooting Guard and often switches to playing small forward for the Houston Rockets in the National Basketball Association. Entering the NBA straight from high school, McGrady eventually became a seven-time All-Star. McGrady's style has been compared to that of George Gervin.
- Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4 1968), better known as Jay-Z, is an American rapper and current president and CEO of Def Jam and Roc-A-Fella Records. In addition, he co-owns The 40/40 Club, and is co-owner of the New Jersey Nets NBA team. He is one of the most financially successful American hip-hop artists. Known for his flow and blending of street and popular rap, Jay-Z has become one of the best-selling rappers in the hip hop industry.
- Vince Carter
Vincent Lamar "Vince" Carter (born January 26, 1977) is an American All-Star basketball player in the NBA. He currently is a player for the New Jersey Nets. He is considered one of the best shooting-guards, dunkers, and finishers in the game today.
- Josh Smith
Joshua Smith (born December 5, 1985 in College Park, Georgia, U.S.) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA.
- Dwight Howard
Dwight David Howard (born December 8 1985, in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "Thunder", Howard, who can play either center or power forward, chose to forego college and entered the NBA Draft in 2004. He was selected first overall by the Magic, and has since emerged as one of the top rebounders in the NBA and been selected to the All-Star game once.
- Ron Artest
Ronald (Ron) William Artest Jr. (born) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays with the Sacramento Kings of the NBA. Artest gained reputation as one of the premier defenders in the game today, winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2004. However, he is one of the most controversial players and infamously known for being the key central figure of 2004's infamous Indiana Pacers-Detroit Pistons brawl.
- Deron Williams
Deron Michael Williams (born June 26, 1984 in Parkersburg, West Virginia) is an American professional basketball player currently with the Utah Jazz of the NBA. He is also a former collegiate player for the University of Illinois.
- James Posey
James Mikely Mantell Posey, Jr. (born January 13 1977 in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American professional basketball player, currently playing small forward for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association.
- Marcus Camby
Marcus D. Camby (born March 22, 1974 in Hartford, Connecticut) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays center for the Denver Nuggets of the NBA. He won the 2006-07 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award while leading the league in blocked shots. His NCAA record at UMass was outstanding, earning him a Player of the Year award for 1995-1996. Marcus wore number 21 at UMass, a number formerly belonging to G. Sean Nelen.
- Corey Maggette
Corey Antoine Maggette (born November 12, 1979 in Melrose Park, Illinois, U.S.) is an American professional basketball player, positioned at small forward for the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. He excelled at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois, where he was an All-American in basketball and also an Illinois high school state track finalist in long jump and triple jump.
- Phil Jackson
Philip Douglas "Phil" Jackson (born September 17 1945 in Deer Lodge, Montana) is the current coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, an American professional basketball team. A former player for the New York Knicks, Jackson is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Basketball Association. His reputation was established as head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 through 1998; during his tenure in Chicago, …
- Amare Stoudemire
Amare Carsares Stoudemire (born November 16 1982 in Lake Wales, Florida) is an American All-Star professional basketball player for the NBA's Phoenix Suns and the USA National Team. He is a 6 ft 10 in (2.09 m) and 245 lb (112 kg) power forward/center.
- Jordan Farmar
Jordan Robert Farmar (born November 30, 1986) is an American professional basketball player and starting point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers. He was previously the starting point guard for the UCLA men's basketball team.
- Larry Bird
Larry Joe Bird (born) is a retired American NBA basketball player, widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, and one of the best clutch performers in the history of sports. Drafted into the NBA sixth overall by the Boston Celtics in 1978, Bird played small forward and power forward for thirteen seasons. Due to back problems, he retired as a player from the NBA in 1992.
- Larry Brown
Lawrence Harvey Brown (born September 14, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York, United States) was a coach in the National Basketball Association. He has been a college and professional basketball coach since 1975. He has won over 1,000 professional games in the ABA and the NBA and is the only coach in NBA history to lead seven different teams to the playoffs. He is 1,285-853 in his career.
- Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson is chairman and chief executive officer of Johnson Development Corporation and Magic Johnson Enterprises. Johnson Development Corporation is dedicated to urban revitalization by providing entertainment complexes, restaurants and retail centers in underserved communities nationwide. The company operates 103 Starbucks nationwide, and has also opened six AMC Magic Johnson Theater complexes across the United States.
- Ben Wallace
Ben Wallace (born September 10, 1974 in White Hall, Alabama) is an American professional basketball player in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls. Nicknamed Big Ben and The Body, he plays the position of center and is and. He is a four-time winner of the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award (a feat equalled only by Dikembe Mutombo), and is regarded as one of the finest defensive players in the game.
- Chauncey Billups
Chauncey Ray Billups (born September 25, 1976 in Denver, Colorado) is an American professional basketball player. Billups is the starting point guard and team captain for the National Basketball Association's Detroit Pistons. He played college basketball at the University of Colorado. He was honored by the university in 2004 as the fifth player to have his jersey (number 4) retired. His nickname is "Mr. Big Shot." He was the 2004 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.
- Shawn Marion
Shawn Dwayne Marion (born May 7 1978 in Waukegan, Illinois) is an American professional basketball player. He currently plays small forward for the Phoenix Suns of the NBA, although he spent much of the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons at power forward. He is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and best all-around players in the league.
- Stephon Marbury
Stephon Xavier Marbury (born February 20, 1977 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American professional basketball player, currently playing point guard with the New York Knicks. Marbury has often gone by the nickname "Starbury", a name created during his youth. Marbury, the sixth of seven children, was born and raised on Coney Island and attended elementary school PS 238 During his teenage years he was often heralded as the next great New York City point guard, …
- Josh Howard
Joshua Jay Howard (born April 28, 1980) is an American professional basketball player in the NBA. At and, he starts at small forward for the Dallas Mavericks. Howard won various awards in high school, continuing his academic and athletic career at Wake Forest in 1999. Howard, unlike fellow players of his 2003 NBA Draft class, stayed in college all four years. He won multiple awards in his senior season, including ACC Player of the Year, All ACC First Team, …
- Isiah Thomas
Isiah Lord Thomas III (born April 30 1961, in Chicago, Illinois) is a retired American professional basketball player in the NBA, and is currently the head coach and president of basketball operations for the NBA's New York Knicks. He was also referred to by the nicknames "Zeke", "Cuts" (for the numerous cuts over his eyelids), "The Baby-faced Assassin", "The Smiling Assassin", and "Tuss".
- Eva Longoria
Eva Longoria (born March 15, 1975) is a Golden Globe Award-nominated American film and television actress. She plays Gabrielle Solis in the ABC television series "Desperate Housewives". She has also become an internationally recognized model after appearing in several high-profile advertising campaigns and numerous men's magazines. Longoria announced her engagement to French NBA guard Tony Parker on November 30, 2006.
- Richard Jefferson
Richard Alle Jefferson (born June 21 1980, in Los Angeles, California) is a 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) American professional basketball player. He plays small forward for the New Jersey Nets of the National Basketball Association. He is known for his all-around game and superior athleticism, and is one of the preeminent small forwards in the NBA today. Jefferson's nickname is RJ, which is tattooed on his shoulder. Jefferson is originally from Phoenix, Arizona.
- Doc Rivers
Glenn Anton "Doc" Rivers (born October 13, 1961 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American former professional basketball player from Marquette University who played point guard in the National Basketball Association notably for the Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, and San Antonio Spurs. After retiring from the league, he became a coach and is currently head coach of the Boston Celtics. Rivers was known for his defense while playing in the NBA.
- Ronny Turiaf
Ronny Turiaf (born January 13, 1983 in Le Robert, Martinique) is a French basketball player, selected in the second round (37th pick overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. He primarily plays power forward, but also sees playing time at center, particularly when the Lakers' regular centers are injured or in foul trouble. His first name is pronounced as rhyming with "pony". Turiaf spent most of his childhood in Martinique, …