Damon Stoudamire is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 13 seasons. He was born on September 3, 1973, in Portland, Oregon, and attended the University of Arizona, where he played college basketball for the Wildcats.
Stoudamire was selected by the Toronto Raptors as the seventh overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft. He quickly established himself as one of the best point guards in the league, earning the NBA Rookie of the Year award in his first season. He played for the Raptors for five seasons, averaging 19.6 points, 8.8 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game during his time with the team.
In 1998, Stoudamire was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, where he played for four seasons. He continued to be a productive player, averaging 14.8 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game during his time with the Blazers. He also helped lead the team to the Western Conference Finals in 1999 and 2000.
After leaving the Blazers, Stoudamire played for several other teams, including the Memphis Grizzlies, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Houston Rockets. He was primarily used as a backup point guard during this time, but he still managed to contribute to his teams' success.
Stoudamire retired from the NBA in 2008, finishing his career with averages of 13.4 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game. He was known for his quickness, ball-handling skills, and ability to score from long range. He also had a reputation as a fierce competitor and a strong leader on the court.
Since retiring from basketball, Stoudamire has worked as an assistant coach for several NBA teams, including the Memphis Grizzlies, the Arizona Wildcats, and the Pacific Tigers. He has also been involved in various charitable organizations, including the Damon Stoudamire Foundation, which provides educational and athletic opportunities for underprivileged youth.
Overall, Damon Stoudamire had a successful career in the NBA, earning the respect of his peers and fans alike. He was a talented player who made significant contributions to every team he played for, and he continues to be a positive influence on the basketball community today.
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