Olden Polynice is a retired professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 15 seasons. He was born on November 21, 1964, in Bora Bora, French Polynesia, and grew up in California. Polynice attended the University of Virginia, where he played college basketball for four years and was named an All-American in his senior year.
Polynice was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 1987 NBA draft, but he was immediately traded to the Seattle SuperSonics. He played for the SuperSonics for four seasons, from 1987 to 1991, and established himself as a solid rebounder and shot-blocker. In his third season, he averaged a career-high 12.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.
In 1991, Polynice was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, where he played for three seasons. He continued to be a productive player, averaging 11.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in his first season with the Clippers. In 1994, he was traded to the Detroit Pistons, where he played for two seasons. He was a key player for the Pistons, averaging 10.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in his first season with the team.
Polynice played for several other teams during his career, including the Sacramento Kings, the Utah Jazz, and the Miami Heat. He was known for his rebounding and shot-blocking abilities, and he was a reliable scorer as well. He played in a total of 1,058 NBA games, averaging 7.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.
Polynice was also known for his off-court activities, particularly his work with charitable organizations. He founded the Olden Polynice Foundation, which provided scholarships and other assistance to underprivileged children. He was also involved in efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in war-torn countries, including Bosnia and Rwanda.
After retiring from basketball in 2004, Polynice continued to be involved in charitable work and other activities. He worked as a basketball analyst for various media outlets, including ESPN and Fox Sports. He also served as a coach and mentor for young basketball players, and he was involved in efforts to promote basketball in his native French Polynesia.
In conclusion, Olden Polynice was a talented and productive basketball player who played in the NBA for 15 seasons. He was known for his rebounding and shot-blocking abilities, and he was a reliable scorer as well. He was also involved in charitable work and other activities off the court, and he continues to be a respected figure in the basketball community.
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