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 National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "the Big Ticket", Garnett is widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards of all time, known for his intensity, versatility, and defensive ability. As of 2026, he is one of five NBA players to have won both the NBA Most Valuable Player Award and the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.

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 born on May 19, 1976, in Greenville, South Carolina. He is the middle child and has two sisters. He grew up with his mother and stepfather. He fell in love with basketball while attending Hillcrest Middle School, though he did not play organized basketball until high school. He attended Mauldin High School in South Carolina for his first three years, then transferred to Farragut Career Academy in Chicago for his senior year after being arrested for second-degree lynching (a charge later expunged) following a fight between black and white students. At Farragut, he led the team to a 28–2 record and was named National High School Player of the Year by USA Today. He was also named Mr. Basketball for Illinois after averaging 25.2 points, 17.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 6.5 blocks. He was named Most Outstanding Player at the McDonald's All-American Game and declared for the 1995 NBA draft. He was selected fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves, becoming the first NBA player drafted directly out of high school in 20 years.

Reader's Guide

Garnett played for the Minnesota Timberwolves from 1995 to 2007, leading them to eight consecutive playoff appearances. In 2004, he led the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals and won the NBA MVP Award. He was traded to the Boston Celtics in 2007, where he won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in the 2007–08 season and helped the Celtics beat the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals. In 2013, he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets with Paul Pierce. In 2015, he was traded back to Minnesota. He 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. During his career, he was named to 15 All-Star Games, winning the All-Star MVP in 2003, and was named to the All-NBA Team nine times and the NBA All-Defensive Team 12 times. He also holds several Timberwolves franchise records.

Did You Know?

Garnett made his feature film debut in the 2019 crime thriller Uncut Gems, playing a fictionalized version of himself.
In high school, Garnett posted 2,553 points, 1,809 rebounds, and 737 blocked shots.
Garnett's contract extension in 1997 was worth $126 million over six years.
He was the youngest NBA player in history at 19 years and 11 months of age when he entered the league.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Kevin Garnett?

Kevin Maurice Garnett, known as KG or 'the Big Ticket,' was selected fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1995. He made history as the first player drafted directly from high school in twenty years and became a cornerstone of the franchise.

What role did Kevin Garnett play for the team?

Operating primarily as a power forward, Garnett defined an era of intensity and defensive dominance for Minnesota. His energy and leadership were instrumental in transforming the Timberwolves into a consistent playoff contender.

How did Kevin Garnett's tenure with the Wolves conclude initially?

His first stint ended after leading the team to its only Western Conference Finals appearance in 2004, where he also earned NBA MVP honors. He departed for Boston in 2007 but returned to Minnesota in 2015 before eventually retiring.

What are Kevin Garnett's major achievements with Minnesota?

During his time in Minnesota, he secured the NBA Most Valuable Player award in 2004 and led the squad to the Western Conference Finals. He remains the only player in franchise history to win MVP while wearing a Timberwolves uniform.