Jamal Mashburn

The Monster Mash: A prolific scorer and All-Star forward.

Jamal Mashburn Sr. (born November 29, 1972) is an American entrepreneur and former professional basketball player. Nicknamed "the Monster Mash", Mashburn was a prolific scorer as a small forward in his 12 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), with a career scoring average of 19.1 points per game.

Quick Facts

Born: 29 November 1972
Birthplace: The Bronx, New York, U.S.
High school: Cardinal Hayes (The Bronx, New York)
College: Kentucky (1990–1993)
Draft round: 1
Draft pick: 4
Drafted by: Dallas Mavericks
Career position: Small forward

Lore & Background

Mashburn was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the fourth pick in the 1993 NBA draft. He quickly became a key scorer, averaging 19.2 points per game in his rookie season and earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Team. In the 1994–95 season, he averaged 24.1 points per game, sixth in the league, and on November 12, 1994, scored 50 points against the Chicago Bulls, making him the fourth-youngest player to score 50 points in an NBA game. He was traded to the Miami Heat in February 1997, and later played for the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Hornets. His best season was 2002–03, when he played all 82 games, averaged 21.6 points, made his only All-Star appearance, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team. He retired in 2006 due to chronic knee problems.

Reader's Guide

Mashburn played for the Dallas Mavericks (1993–1997), Miami Heat (1997–2000), Charlotte Hornets (2000–2002), and New Orleans Hornets (2002–2005). He was a small forward known for scoring, with career averages of 19.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. He was a one-time All-Star and one-time All-NBA Third Team selection.

Did You Know?

Mashburn started in just 21 of the 37 games he played for the Mavericks in the 1996–97 season before being traded to the Miami Heat.
Mashburn is one of only six players since 1970 to average at least 20 points per game in his final NBA season.