Derek Strong was a professional basketball player who played in the NBA for nine seasons. He was born on February 9, 1968, in Riverside, California, and attended California State University, Long Beach, where he played college basketball.
Strong was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the 1991 NBA draft. He played for the 76ers for two seasons before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in 1993. He played for the Bucks for two seasons before being traded to the Boston Celtics in 1995.
Strong played for the Celtics for two seasons before being traded to the Orlando Magic in 1997. He played for the Magic for two seasons before being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in 1999. He played for the Clippers for one season before being traded to the Miami Heat in 2000.
Strong played for the Heat for one season before being traded to the Seattle SuperSonics in 2001. He played for the SuperSonics for one season before retiring from the NBA.
Throughout his NBA career, Strong was known for his rebounding and defensive skills. He was a solid role player who could come off the bench and provide energy and toughness. He was also a good free-throw shooter, finishing his career with a free-throw percentage of 78.2%.
Strong's best season came in 1996-97 when he played for the Orlando Magic. He averaged 10.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while shooting 50.3% from the field. He helped the Magic reach the playoffs that season, where they were eliminated in the first round.
After retiring from the NBA, Strong played professionally overseas in countries such as Greece, Italy, and Turkey. He also worked as a basketball coach and trainer, helping young players develop their skills.
Overall, Derek Strong had a solid NBA career, playing for several teams and making a positive impact wherever he went. He was a hard worker who always gave his best effort on the court, and his contributions to the game will not be forgotten.
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