Tim Duncan
The Big Fundamental: A five-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer who spent his entire career with the San Antonio Spurs.
via Wikipedia: Tim Duncan · see source
Timothy Theodore Duncan (born April 25, 1976) is an American former professional basketball player and coach who spent his entire 19-year career with the San Antonio Spurs in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "the Big Fundamental", he is widely considered the greatest power forward of all time and one of the greatest players in NBA history, and was a central contributor to the franchise's success during the 2000s and 2010s. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020 and named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 25 April 1976
- Birthplace
- Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
- High school
- St. Dunstan's Episcopal (Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands)
- College
- Wake Forest (1993–1997)
- Draft round
- 1
- Drafted by
- San Antonio Spurs
- Career position
- Power forward; center
- Career number
- 21
Lore & Background
Born and raised on Saint Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Duncan initially aspired to be a competitive swimmer, but took up basketball at 14 after Hurricane Hugo destroyed the island's only Olympic-sized pool. In high school, he played basketball for St. Dunstan's Episcopal. In college, Duncan played for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, and in his senior year, he received the John Wooden Award and was named the Naismith College Player of the Year and the USBWA College Player of the Year. After graduating from college, Duncan was the NBA Rookie of the Year after being selected by San Antonio with the first overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft. In his second season, he guided the Spurs to the 1999 NBA title. A strong post defender, Duncan was named to one of the two All-Defensive teams in each of his first 13 seasons, an NBA record. As part of the Spurs' Big Three with guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginóbili, Duncan won four more NBA championships and collected three Finals MVP trophies. He primarily played the power forward position, but also played center throughout his career. He is a five-time NBA champion, a two-time NBA MVP, a three-time NBA Finals MVP, a 15-time NBA All-Star, and the only player to be chosen for the All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams for 13 consecutive seasons.
Reader's Guide
Tim Duncan was born on April 25, 1976, and raised in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. He is the son of immigrants from Anguilla: Ione, a professional midwife, and William Duncan, a mason. He has two older sisters, Cheryl and Tricia, and an older brother, Scott. In school, Duncan was a bright pupil and dreamt of becoming an Olympic-level swimmer. After Hurricane Hugo destroyed the island's only Olympic-sized swimming pool in 1989, Duncan was forced to swim in the ocean, and his fear of sharks ruined his enthusiasm for the sport. His mother died of breast cancer on April 24, 1990, the day before his 14th birthday. Duncan never swam competitively again, but his brother-in-law inspired him to turn to basketball. He overcame his awkwardness to become a standout for St. Dunstan's Episcopal High School, averaging 25 points per game as a senior. His play attracted the attention of several universities, and he joined Wake Forest University. In college, Duncan wore No. 21 in honor of his brother-in-law, Ricky Lowery. Duncan was selected by San Antonio with the first overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft.
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