Matt Barnes is a retired professional basketball player who played for several teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA) during his career. He was born on March 9, 1980, in Santa Clara, California, and attended Del Campo High School in Fair Oaks, California. Barnes played college basketball at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he was a standout player and helped lead the team to the NCAA Tournament in 2002 and 2003.
After going undrafted in the 2002 NBA Draft, Barnes signed with the Fayetteville Patriots of the NBA Development League (NBDL). He played well for the Patriots and was eventually signed by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2004. Barnes played for the Clippers for two seasons before being traded to the Sacramento Kings in 2006.
Over the course of his career, Barnes played for several other NBA teams, including the Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and the Charlotte Hornets. He was known for his tough, physical style of play and his ability to defend multiple positions on the court.
Barnes was also known for his off-court controversies, including several incidents of violence and altercations with other players and fans. In 2010, he was arrested for domestic violence against his then-girlfriend, and in 2016, he was involved in an altercation with former New York Knicks coach Derek Fisher over Fisher's relationship with Barnes' ex-wife.
Despite these controversies, Barnes was a respected player in the NBA and was known for his toughness and leadership on the court. He was a key contributor to several playoff teams throughout his career and was known for his ability to hit clutch shots in important moments.
Barnes retired from the NBA in 2017 after a 14-year career. He finished his career with averages of 8.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. Since retiring, Barnes has become a media personality and has worked as a commentator for several sports networks. He has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including founding the Athletes vs. Cancer organization to raise awareness and funds for cancer research.
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