Brian Grant

Tenacious rebounder and blue-collar defender who played 12 NBA seasons.

Brian Wade Grant (born March 5, 1972) is an American former professional basketball player. He played the power forward and center positions for five teams during 12 seasons in the National Basketball Association. He was known for his tenacious rebounding and blue-collar defense. During his career, he played with the Sacramento Kings (where he made First Team All-Rookie in the 1994–95 season), Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, and Phoenix Suns.

Quick Facts

Born: 5 March 1972
Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
High school: Georgetown (Georgetown, Ohio)
College: Xavier (1990–1994)
Draft round: 1
Draft pick: 8
Drafted by: Sacramento Kings
Career position: Power forward; center

Lore & Background

Grant grew up in Georgetown, Ohio, and worked on farms during summers. He played basketball at Georgetown High School and later at Xavier University, where he was second on the all-time scoring list with 1,719 points and third on the all-time rebounding list with 1,080. He was inducted into the Xavier Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999 and had his jersey retired in 2011. In the 2000 offseason, Grant signed a 7-year, $86 million deal with the Miami Heat. Despite Alonzo Mourning's kidney disease diagnosis, Grant played center and had a career season with 15.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg, and a career-high 79.7% free throw percentage. He was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004 as part of the deal for Shaquille O'Neal.

Reader's Guide

Grant was selected 8th overall in the 1994 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings. He played for the Kings, Trail Blazers, Heat, Lakers, and Suns. In the 2002–03 season with Miami, he averaged 10.3 points and a career-high 10.2 rebounds, finishing 5th in total rebounds in the league. He also finished 4th in total rebounds, 5th in defensive rebounds, and 10th in field goal percentage that season.

Did You Know?

Grant made an appearance in a Sega Dreamcast commercial in 1999, talking to the Sonic the Hedgehog character Tails.
He was twice named Midwest Collegiate Conference Player of the Year at Xavier University.
Grant led the Musketeers in rebounding all four seasons at Xavier.