American former professional basketball player Kevin Maurice Garnett was born on May 19, 1976, and participated
in 21 NBA seasons. Famous for his zeal, defensive prowess, and adaptability, Garnett—nicknamed “Big Ticket”—is
regarded as one of the all-time great power forwards.[1] He is one of just five NBA players as of 2020 to have
received both the NBA Defensive Player of the Year and the NBA Most Valuable Player Award.[n 1]
Garnett won national player of the year at Farragut Career Academy and was a 1995 McDonald’s All-American.[3][4]
He declared for the 1995 NBA Draft, and the Minnesota Timberwolves selected him with the fifth overall choice,
making him the first NBA player drafted straight out of high school in twenty years. With the Minnesota
Timberwolves, Garnett had an instant effect and helped the team win eight straight playoff games. He won the NBA
MVP Award in 2004 after leading the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals. In 2007–08, he was voted
the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Following 12 seasons with the Timberwolves, Garnett made a blockbuster trade to the Boston Celtics in 2007. He
placed third in the MVP voting his first season with the Celtics and assisted in leading them to victory over the Los
Angeles Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals.[5] In 2013, Garnett was a part of another major transaction that sent Boston
Celtics veteran Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets. Garnett was returned to Minnesota in a trade in 2015. In September
2016, he declared his retirement from professional basketball. He was selected for the NBA 75th Anniversary Team
in 2021 and entered into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020.
Garnett was selected for 15 All-Star Games during his NBA career, and in 2003 he was voted the All-Star MVP.[n 2]
He was selected nine times for the All-NBA Team and twelve times for the NBA All-Defensive Team.[6] Garnett also
owns a number of franchise records for the Timberwolves.
