Corey Maggette is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 14 seasons. He was born on November 12, 1979, in Melrose Park, Illinois, and attended Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois. Maggette played college basketball at Duke University for one year before declaring for the NBA draft in 1999.
Maggette was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics with the 13th overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft but was immediately traded to the Orlando Magic. He played for the Magic for one season before being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2000. Maggette spent the majority of his career with the Clippers, where he played for eight seasons and established himself as a reliable scorer and versatile player.
During his time with the Clippers, Maggette averaged over 20 points per game in three different seasons and was known for his ability to get to the free-throw line. He led the NBA in free-throw attempts per game in the 2004-05 season, averaging 10.2 attempts per game. Maggette was also a solid rebounder for his position, averaging over five rebounds per game in six different seasons.
In addition to his time with the Clippers, Maggette played for several other NBA teams throughout his career. He played for the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Bobcats, and Detroit Pistons before retiring in 2013. Maggette was known for his toughness and willingness to play through injuries, which earned him the nickname "Bad Porn" from former Clippers teammate Quentin Richardson.
Off the court, Maggette was involved in several philanthropic endeavors throughout his career. He established the Corey Cares Foundation in 2001, which aimed to provide educational and recreational opportunities for underprivileged youth. Maggette also participated in several NBA Cares initiatives, including the Read to Achieve program and the league's annual Day of Service.
Maggette's basketball career was not without controversy, however. In 2018, he was accused of sexual assault by a woman who claimed that he had raped her during his time with the Golden State Warriors in 2013. Maggette denied the allegations and was not charged with a crime, but the incident raised questions about the NBA's handling of sexual misconduct allegations.
Overall, Corey Maggette had a successful NBA career, playing for several teams and establishing himself as a reliable scorer and versatile player. While his career was not without controversy, Maggette's philanthropic efforts off the court demonstrated his commitment to giving back to his community.
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