Tim Duncan

Verified Timeline

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 became the third player (alongside Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) to win NBA Finals MVP in his first two seasons after being drafted, guiding 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.

In Their Own Story

The source does not provide a specific story about Duncan's Olympic experience. It does describe his early life: after Hurricane Hugo destroyed the island's only Olympic-sized swimming pool in 1989, Duncan was forced to swim in the ocean instead, and his fear of sharks ruined his enthusiasm for the sport. He was dealt another emotional blow when his mother died of breast cancer on April 24, 1990, the day before his 14th birthday. On her deathbed, she made Duncan and his sisters promise that they would graduate from college, which played a part in Duncan's later refusal to leave college early for the NBA. Duncan never swam competitively again, but his brother-in-law inspired him to turn to basketball. Initially, Duncan had difficulties adapting to the game, but 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 eventually joined Wake Forest University.

Reader's Guide

The source article does not mention Tim Duncan representing the United States in the Olympics or winning any Olympic medal. His Olympic participation is unclear from the source.

Did You Know?

• 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.
• His sister Tricia swam for the U.S. Virgin Islands at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.
• Duncan wore No. 21 at Wake Forest in honor of his brother-in-law, who taught him to play basketball.