Michael Ruffin is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for nine seasons. He was born on September 21, 1977, in Denver, Colorado, and attended the University of Tulsa, where he played college basketball.
Ruffin was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the second round of the 1999 NBA draft. He played for the Bulls for two seasons before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2001. He played for the 76ers for one season before being traded to the Utah Jazz in 2002.
Ruffin played for the Jazz for three seasons and was known for his defensive skills and rebounding ability. He was also known for his hustle and work ethic on the court. In 2005, he was traded to the Washington Wizards, where he played for two seasons.
During his time with the Wizards, Ruffin was involved in a controversial play in a game against the Toronto Raptors. With the Wizards leading by three points and only a few seconds left in the game, Ruffin grabbed a rebound and attempted to throw the ball in the air to run out the clock. However, he accidentally threw the ball into the Raptors' basket, tying the game and sending it into overtime. The Wizards eventually lost the game.
After his time with the Wizards, Ruffin played for the Portland Trail Blazers and the Milwaukee Bucks before finishing his NBA career with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2009. He played a total of 414 games in the NBA, averaging 1.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks per game.
After retiring from the NBA, Ruffin played professional basketball overseas in countries such as China, Lebanon, and Venezuela. He also worked as an assistant coach for the Tulsa Shock of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) in 2013.
Overall, Michael Ruffin had a solid career in the NBA, known for his defensive skills and rebounding ability. While he may be remembered for the controversial play against the Raptors, he was a hardworking player who made a positive impact on the teams he played for.
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