Horace Grant
Horace Grant
.jpg) Grant in September 2014 | |
| Chicago Bulls | |
|---|---|
| Position | Special advisor |
| League | NBA |
| Personal information | |
| Born | July 4, 1965 Augusta, Georgia |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Hancock Central (Sparta, Georgia) |
| College | Clemson (1983–1987) |
| NBA draft | 1987 / Round: 1 / Pick: 10th overall |
| Selected by the Chicago Bulls | |
| Playing career | 1987–2004 |
| Position | Power forward |
| Number | 54 |
| Career history | |
| 1987–1994 | Chicago Bulls |
| 1994–1999 | Orlando Magic |
| 1999–2000 | Seattle SuperSonics |
| 2000–2001 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2001–2002 | Orlando Magic |
| 2003–2004 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Career statistics | |
| Points | 12,996 (11.2 ppg) |
| Rebound | 9,443 (8.1 rpg) |
| Assists | 2,575 (2.2 apg) |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Horace Junior Grant Sr. (born July 4, 1965) is an American former professional basketball player who is a special advisor for Michael Reinsdorf, the president and chief operating officer of the Chicago Bulls.[1][2] He attended and played college basketball at Clemson University before playing professionally in the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he became a four-time champion with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers. Horace is the twin brother of former NBA player Harvey Grant.
Early life and college[edit]
Grant was born in Augusta, Georgia. He and his twin brother, Harvey, grew up in Mitchell, Georgia and attended school in Sparta, Georgia.
After he graduated from high school, he attended Clemson University, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha. With the Clemson Tigers, he became the first player in ACC history to lead the league in scoring (21.0 average), rebounding (9.6) and field goal shooting (70.8 percent). In 1987, Grant helped lead Clemson to the NCAA Tournament and was named ACC Player of the Year, becoming the first Clemson player to receive that honor.
NBA career[edit]
Chicago Bulls (1987–1994)[edit]
Grant was drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the 10th overall pick of the 1987 NBA draft. The 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) tall power forward / center teamed with fellow draft-day acquisition Scottie Pippen to form the Bulls' forward tandem of the future, although he initially backed up incumbent Charles Oakley, one of the league's premier rebounders and post defenders.
In 1988, Grant moved into the starting lineup when Oakley was traded to the New York Knicks for center Bill Cartwright. He immediately became the Bulls' main rebounder, and established himself as the Bulls' third scoring option after Michael Jordan and Pippen, forming one of the league's best trios. Grant was noted for his defensive play; he was selected four times for the NBA All-Defensive Team.[3] He helped Chicago win three consecutive NBA championships (1991, 1992, and 1993), securing the third with a last-second block on Kevin Johnson.
Grant, who was diagnosed with myopia and wore eyeglasses, began wearing goggles fitted with prescription lenses on the court starting with the 1990–91 season.[4] The goggles soon became a trademark for Grant. Although he eventually received LASIK surgery to correct his sight, he continued to wear the goggles on the court after he had heard from parents that he had become an inspirational figure to children who wore eyeglasses.[5]
After Jordan's first retirement following the 1992–93 season, Grant became the number-two star behind Pippen, and helped the Bulls push the Knicks to seven games in the second-round playoff series before being eliminated. Grant played in the 1994 NBA All-Star Game, posting four points and eight rebounds in 17 minutes. During the 1993–94 season he recorded career-best averages in scoring (15.1), rebounding (11.0), and assists (3.4).
Orlando Magic (1994–1999)[edit]
Grant left the Bulls as a free agent and joined the Orlando Magic, led by Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway. On May 5, 1995, Grant made the final basket in Boston Garden history in Orlando's series-clinching victory over the Boston Celtics. Grant helped the Magic reach the 1995 NBA Finals, where they were swept in four games by the Houston Rockets. Grant spent the next several seasons with the Magic.
Seattle SuperSonics (1999–2000)[edit]
Grant was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics along with 2000 and 2001 second round picks for Dale Ellis, Don MacLean, Billy Owens, and rookie Corey Maggette just before start of the 1999–2000 season.
Los Angeles Lakers (2000–2001)[edit]
After one year with the Sonics, Grant was involved in a three-way trade in which Glen Rice of the Los Angeles Lakers was sent to New York, Patrick Ewing of the Knicks was sent to Seattle, and Grant to the defending champion Lakers, reuniting him with Shaquille O'Neal and former Bulls coach Phil Jackson. He helped them win another championship in the 2000–01 season.
Return to Orlando (2001–2002)[edit]
In the offseason, Grant decided to leave Los Angeles and sign back with the Orlando Magic. The Los Angeles Lakers would go on to win the 2002 NBA championship without Grant. Grant was ultimately cut by the Magic in December 2002 after then-coach Doc Rivers said Grant had tried to undermine the coach and was a "cancer" on the team.[6]
Return to Los Angeles (2003–2004)[edit]
Grant chose to retire after getting cut by the Magic. However, he decided to return for another run with the Lakers for the 2003–04 season as a backup to Karl Malone. He then retired permanently following the Lakers' loss to the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals.
Post-retirement[edit]
In 2009 Grant was appointed NBA Goodwill Ambassador.
In 2016 he became Special Advisor for Michael Reinsdorf, the president and chief operating officer of the Chicago Bulls.
Personal life[edit]
Grant's identical twin brother, Harvey Grant, played 11 NBA seasons for the Washington Bullets/Wizards, Portland Trail Blazers, and Philadelphia 76ers.
Grant was best friends with former teammate Scottie Pippen for many years when they were both on the Bulls. He said they grew apart when he left Chicago for Orlando, but that they are still friends and keep in touch.
Though it has never been confirmed, Grant is rumored to be the main source for the material behind Sam Smith's controversial book The Jordan Rules, alongside former Bulls assistant coach Johnny Bach.
Three of Grant's nephews are also basketball players. Jerai Grant played college basketball for Clemson University[7] and currently plays overseas;[8] Jerian Grant played for the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team and currently plays for Olimpia Milano; and Jerami Grant played for the Syracuse University Orange men's basketball team and currently plays for the Portland Trailblazers.
Horace has three sons (Deon, Horace Jr, and Elijah) and five daughters (Coriel, Gianna, Maia, Naomi, and Eva).
NBA career statistics[edit]
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
| † | Won an NBA championship |
Regular season[edit]
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987–88 | Chicago | 81 | 6 | 22.6 | .501 | .000 | .626 | 5.5 | 1.1 | .6 | .7 | 7.7 |
| 1988–89 | Chicago | 79 | 79 | 35.6 | .519 | .000 | .704 | 8.6 | 2.1 | 1.1 | .8 | 12.0 |
| 1989–90 | Chicago | 80 | 80 | 34.4 | .523 | – | .699 | 7.9 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 13.4 |
| 1990–91† | Chicago | 78 | 76 | 33.9 | .547 | .167 | .711 | 8.4 | 2.3 | 1.2 | .9 | 12.8 |
| 1991–92† | Chicago | 81 | 81 | 35.3 | .578 | .000 | .741 | 10.0 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 14.2 |
| 1992–93† | Chicago | 77 | 77 | 35.6 | .508 | .200 | .619 | 9.5 | 2.6 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 13.2 |
| 1993–94 | Chicago | 70 | 69 | 36.7 | .524 | .000 | .596 | 11.0 | 3.4 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 15.1 |
| 1994–95 | Orlando | 74 | 74 | 36.4 | .567 | .000 | .692 | 9.7 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 12.8 |
| 1995–96 | Orlando | 63 | 62 | 36.3 | .513 | .167 | .734 | 9.2 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 13.4 |
| 1996–97 | Orlando | 67 | 67 | 37.3 | .515 | .167 | .715 | 9.0 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 12.6 |
| 1997–98 | Orlando | 76 | 76 | 36.9 | .459 | .000 | .678 | 8.1 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 12.1 |
| 1998–99 | Orlando | 50 | 50 | 33.2 | .434 | .000 | .671 | 7.0 | 1.8 | .9 | 1.2 | 8.9 |
| 1999–00 | Seattle | 76 | 76 | 35.4 | .444 | .000 | .721 | 7.8 | 2.5 | .7 | .8 | 8.1 |
| 2000–01† | L.A. Lakers | 77 | 77 | 31.0 | .462 | .000 | .775 | 7.1 | 1.6 | .7 | .8 | 8.5 |
| 2001–02 | Orlando | 76 | 76 | 29.1 | .513 | – | .721 | 6.3 | 1.4 | .8 | .6 | 8.0 |
| 2002–03 | Orlando | 5 | 1 | 17.0 | .520 | – | 1.6 | 1.4 | .6 | .0 | 5.2 | |
| 2003–04 | L. A. Lakers | 55 | 10 | 20.1 | .411 | .000 | .722 | 4.2 | 1.3 | .4 | .4 | 4.1 |
| Career | 1165 | 1037 | 33.2 | .509 | .063 | .692 | 8.1 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 11.2 | |
| All-Star | 1 | 0 | 17.0 | .250 | – | 8.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 | ||
Playoffs[edit]
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Chicago | 10 | 0 | 29.9 | .568 | .000 | .600 | 7.0 | 1.6 | 1.4 | .2 | 10.1 |
| 1989 | Chicago | 17 | 17 | 36.8 | .518 | – | .800 | 9.8 | 2.1 | .6 | .9 | 10.8 |
| 1990 | Chicago | 16 | 16 | 38.5 | .509 | .000 | .623 | 9.9 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 12.2 |
| 1991† | Chicago | 17 | 17 | 39.2 | .583 | – | .733 | 8.1 | 2.2 | .9 | .4 | 13.3 |
| 1992† | Chicago | 22 | 22 | 38.9 | .541 | .000 | .671 | 8.8 | 3.0 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 11.3 |
| 1993† | Chicago | 19 | 19 | 34.3 | .546 | – | .685 | 8.2 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 10.7 |
| 1994 | Chicago | 10 | 10 | 39.3 | .542 | 1.000 | .738 | 7.4 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 16.2 |
| 1995 | Orlando | 21 | 21 | 41.4 | .540 | .000 | .763 | 10.4 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 13.7 |
| 1996 | Orlando | 9 | 9 | 37.1 | .649 | – | .867 | 10.4 | 1.4 | .8 | .7 | 15.0 |
| 1999 | Orlando | 4 | 4 | 32.0 | .367 | – | .625 | 7.0 | 1.3 | .5 | .5 | 6.8 |
| 2000 | Seattle | 5 | 5 | 37.0 | .407 | – | .500 | 6.2 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 4.8 |
| 2001† | L.A. Lakers | 16 | 16 | 26.4 | .385 | – | .733 | 6.0 | 1.2 | .9 | .8 | 6.0 |
| 2002 | Orlando | 4 | 4 | 31.8 | .364 | – | 1.000 | 7.8 | 2.3 | .8 | .3 | 4.5 |
| Career | 170 | 160 | 36.3 | .530 | .125 | .714 | 8.6 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 11.2 | |
See also[edit]
- List of National Basketball Association career rebounding leaders
- List of National Basketball Association career minutes played leaders
- List of National Basketball Association career playoff rebounding leaders
References[edit]
- ^ "Horace Grant named Special Advisor to President & COO". NBA.com. April 6, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
- ^ "Chicago Bulls Staff Directory". NBA.com. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
- ^ NBA Postseason Awards: All-Defensive Teams Archived July 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, nba.com. accessed April 24, 2007.
- ^ Smith, Sam (May 17, 1991). "Doctor: Grant Needs Those Goggles". The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
- ^ "Horace Grant wore goggles after eye surgery to make kids with glasses feel better". SBNation.com. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
- ^ "Rivers says 'cancer' had to be cut from the team", espn.go.com, December 11, 2002, accessed March 8, 2009.
- ^ "Senior forward Jerai Grant emerging as pleasant inside surprise", www.orangeandwhite.com, January 11, 2011.
- ^ "National Basketball League – Sydney Kings: Sydney Kings' Jerai Grant arrives in town". Archived from the original on September 4, 2012.
External links[edit]
- Career statistics and player information from NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com
- 1965 births
- Living people
- African-American basketball players
- All-American college men's basketball players
- American men's basketball players
- Basketball players from Augusta, Georgia
- Centers (basketball)
- Chicago Bulls draft picks
- Chicago Bulls players
- Clemson Tigers men's basketball players
- Identical twins
- Los Angeles Lakers players
- National Basketball Association All-Stars
- Orlando Magic players
- Power forwards (basketball)
- Seattle SuperSonics players
- Twin people from the United States
- Twin sportspeople
- 21st-century African-American people
- 20th-century African-American sportspeople
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