Kevin Garnett

The Big Ticket: intensity, versatility, and defensive greatness.

Kevin Maurice Garnett (born May 19, 1976), commonly known by his initials KG, is an American former professional basketball player who played 21 seasons in the NBA. Nicknamed "the Big Ticket", Garnett is widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards of all time. He is one of five NBA players to have won both the NBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Quick Facts

Born: 19 May 1976
Birthplace: Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.
High school: Mauldin (Mauldin, South Carolina); Farragut Academy (Chicago, Illinois)
Draft round: 1
Draft pick: 5
Drafted by: Minnesota Timberwolves
Career position: Power forward
Career number: 21, 5, 2

Lore & Background

Garnett was drafted fifth overall in the 1995 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, becoming the first NBA player drafted directly out of high school in 20 years. He led the Timberwolves to eight consecutive playoff appearances and won the NBA MVP in 2004. He was traded to the Boston Celtics in 2007, winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year that season and an NBA championship in 2008. In 2013, he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets with Paul Pierce. He returned to Minnesota in 2015 and retired in September 2016. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020 and named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.

Reader's Guide

Garnett was a 15-time All-Star, winning All-Star MVP in 2003. He was named to the All-NBA Team nine times and the NBA All-Defensive Team 12 times. He holds several Timberwolves franchise records. He made his feature film debut in the 2019 crime thriller Uncut Gems, playing a fictionalized version of himself.

Did You Know?

Garnett was a 1995 McDonald's All-American and national high school player of the year.
He was arrested for second-degree lynching in high school, but the charge was expunged through pre-trial intervention.
Garnett scored 18 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks in the McDonald's All-American Game.
He was named one of the 35 Greatest McDonald's All-Americans on the 35th anniversary of the game.