Kent Bazemore is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for several teams during his career. He was born on July 1, 1989, in Kelford, North Carolina, and attended Old Dominion University, where he played college basketball for the Monarchs.
Bazemore began his professional career in 2012 when he signed with the Golden State Warriors as an undrafted free agent. He spent his rookie season mostly on the bench, but he showed flashes of potential as a defensive specialist and energy player. In his second season, he became a regular rotation player and helped the Warriors make the playoffs.
In 2014, Bazemore signed with the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, but he struggled to find consistent playing time on a team that was rebuilding. He was traded mid-season to the Atlanta Hawks, where he found a better fit and became a key contributor off the bench. He played a crucial role in the Hawks' success in the 2014-15 season, when they won a franchise-record 60 games and reached the Eastern Conference Finals.
Bazemore's strong play in Atlanta earned him a big contract in the summer of 2016, when he signed a four-year, $70 million deal with the Hawks. However, he was unable to live up to the expectations of his contract and struggled with injuries and inconsistency over the next few seasons. He was eventually traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in 2019, where he played a limited role off the bench.
Bazemore's career came to an end in 2022, when he announced his retirement from the NBA. Over his career, he played in 662 regular season games and averaged 8.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. He was known for his defensive intensity, his ability to hit three-pointers, and his energetic personality on and off the court.
Off the court, Bazemore was also known for his philanthropic work and his commitment to social justice causes. He founded the ARMS Foundation, which provides educational and athletic opportunities for underprivileged youth, and he was a vocal advocate for racial equality and police reform.
Overall, Kent Bazemore had a solid NBA career and was a valuable role player for several teams. While he never became a star player, he was respected for his hard work, his professionalism, and his contributions to his teams both on and off the court.
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