Kenneth Faried

The relentless rebounder who turned hustle into history for Denver and Morehead State.

Kenneth Bernard Faried Lewis, known globally as "the Manimal," is a professional basketball player whose relentless hustle redefined energy in the NBA. Born November 19, 1989, he arrived at Morehead State University and quickly became the NCAA's all-time leading rebounder in the post-1973 era with 1,673 rebounds, a record that stood until Armando Bacot surpassed it in 2024. Selected 22nd overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 2011 NBA draft, Faried earned his nickname for playing hard and fearlessly. His collegiate dominance translated immediately to the pros, where he finished third in Rookie of the Year voting and became a cornerstone of the Nuggets' frontcourt, eventually winning gold with the US national team at the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

Quick Facts

Position: Center; power forward
League: Liga ACB; EuroLeague
Team: Baskonia
Born: 19 November 1989
Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Highschool: Technology (Newark, New Jersey)
College: Morehead State (2007–2011)
Draft round: 1

Lore & Background

Faried's path to the NBA was forged through persistence rather than hype. Lanky and possessing low standardized test scores, he went unrecruited by major programs until Morehead State won him over with their tenacity. There, he transformed from an overlooked prospect into a two-time Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year. His junior year saw him lead the Eagles to the NCAA tournament while earning AP honorable mention All-American status. That same year, he led Morehead State to an upset of the Louisville Cardinals and was named MVP of the Reese's College All-Star Game, cementing his legacy as one of college basketball's most decorated rebounders before even stepping onto an NBA court.

Reader's Guide

Faried's game was built on rebounding dominance and explosive finishing. In Denver, he averaged 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game as a rookie, earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors. His versatility allowed him to score in double digits consistently during his college years and post multiple career highs in the pros, including a season-high 30 points against the Sacramento Kings on April 12, 2015. Beyond scoring, he was a defensive force, grabbing a career-high 21 rebounds against the Utah Jazz on April 12 of one season. He also represented the United States at the 2014 FIBA World Cup, winning gold and making the All-Tournament Team.

Did You Know?

He became the first player in NBA history to record at least 34 points and 13 rebounds while playing 27 minutes or less, achieving this against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 2.
In his final season with Denver (2017–18), Faried insisted he was "a starter" after being moved to a bench role following trades for Mason Plumlee and Paul Millsap.