1. Early Life and Background
Antawn Jamison was born on June 12, 1976, in Shreveport, Louisiana. His parents originally intended to name him "Antwan," but a misspelling on his birth certificate at the hospital led to his name being officially recorded as "Antawn." Despite the written error, the pronunciation of his name remained "Antoine."
During his middle school years, Jamison attended Quail Hollow Middle School in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was a multi-sport athlete, actively participating in both basketball and American football, where he played the position of quarterback.
2. High School Career
Jamison continued his basketball career at Providence High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. His exceptional performance during his senior season earned him significant accolades, including being named a McDonald's All-American in 1995. In that same year, he was also recognized as North Carolina Mr. Basketball. Throughout his senior year, Jamison demonstrated remarkable statistical achievements, averaging 27 points, 13 rebounds, and 4.5 blocks per game.
3. College Career
Jamison played three seasons of college basketball for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Over his collegiate career, he maintained impressive averages of 19.0 points and 9.9 rebounds per game.
In his junior year, during the 1997-98 season, Jamison achieved widespread recognition as one of the most outstanding men's college basketball players in the nation. He was awarded both the Naismith and Wooden Awards. His collegiate honors also included being a Consensus First-Team All-American in 1998 and a Consensus Second-Team All-American in 1997. He was named the ACC Player of the Year in 1998, was a three-time First-Team All-ACC selection from 1996 to 1998, and earned the ACC Tournament MVP award in 1998. Additionally, he was part of the ACC All-Freshman Team in 1996.
After his junior year, Jamison decided to forgo his senior season of eligibility and declared for the 1998 NBA draft. However, he later returned to the university to complete his education, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Afro-American and African studies in August 1999. In recognition of his significant contributions to the program, Jamison's jersey number 33 was retired at the Dean E. Smith Center on March 1, 2000, making him the seventh Tar Heel to receive this esteemed honor.
4. Professional Career
Antawn Jamison embarked on a distinguished 16-season career in the NBA, playing for six different teams including the Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers.
4.1. NBA Draft and Golden State Warriors
Jamison entered the professional basketball scene through the 1998 NBA draft, where he was selected as the fourth overall pick by the Toronto Raptors. However, his tenure with the Raptors was brief, as his draft rights were immediately traded to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for his former college teammate and close friend, Vince Carter.
Jamison spent the first five years of his NBA career with the Warriors, from 1998 to 2003. Despite a slow start in his first two seasons due to knee injuries, his talent fully blossomed in his third year, the 2000-01 NBA season. In that season, he started all 82 games and averaged a career-high 24.9 points per game, along with 8.7 rebounds, establishing himself as a key player for the Warriors. During his time with the team, he notably scored a career-high 51 points on two separate occasions in back-to-back games, first against the Seattle SuperSonics and then against the Los Angeles Lakers, with the Warriors winning the latter game. He was also named to the NBA All-Rookie Team (specifically, the NBA All-Rookie Second Team) in 1999.
4.2. Dallas Mavericks
In 2003, Jamison was part of a significant nine-player trade that sent him, along with forwards Danny Fortson and Chris Mills, and guard Jiří Welsch, to the Dallas Mavericks. In return, the Warriors received guard Nick Van Exel, center Evan Eschmeyer, guard Avery Johnson, and forwards Popeye Jones and Antoine Rigaudeau.
His single season with the Mavericks, the 2003-04 NBA season, marked a turning point in his career as he experienced his first winning season in the NBA. The Mavericks finished with a 52-30 record and made the playoffs, which was Jamison's first taste of post-season play. Coming mostly off the bench, Jamison averaged 14.8 points and 6.3 rebounds, and his contributions earned him the prestigious NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. Despite his individual success, the Mavericks were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, falling to the Sacramento Kings in five games.
4.3. Washington Wizards
Following his successful season with the Mavericks, Jamison was traded again on the day of the 2004 NBA Draft, this time to the Washington Wizards. The trade involved sending former Tar Heel Jerry Stackhouse, Christian Laettner, and a first-round draft pick (which became Devin Harris) to the Mavericks. This move reunited Jamison with his former Golden State teammates Gilbert Arenas and Larry Hughes.
In the 2004-05 NBA season, his first with the Wizards, Jamison was named to the NBA All-Star team for the first time in his career. The Wizards enjoyed a strong season, finishing with a 45-37 record, marking their best performance in 26 years. They also qualified for the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 1997 and advanced to the second round for the first time since 1982. Jamison's contributions helped the team make consecutive playoff appearances, including in the 2005-06 season.
During the 2006-07 NBA season, Jamison led the Wizards in their first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2007 NBA Playoffs. He had an outstanding series, averaging 32 points and 10 rebounds per game. In the 2007-08 NBA season, Jamison was selected to his second NBA Eastern All-Star team. On June 30, 2008, he signed a four-year contract extension with the Wizards worth 50.00 M USD.
4.4. Cleveland Cavaliers
On February 17, 2010, Jamison was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a complex three-team, six-player deal. The trade involved Al Thornton moving from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Washington Wizards, Žydrūnas Ilgauskas, a 2010 first-round draft pick (which became Lazar Hayward), and the draft rights to Emir Preldžič going from Cleveland to Washington. Additionally, Drew Gooden moved from Washington to Los Angeles, and Sebastian Telfair was sent from Los Angeles to Cleveland. Notably, Ilgauskas was later bought out by the Wizards and subsequently returned to the Cavaliers.
Jamison's debut with the Cavaliers against the Charlotte Bobcats saw him score only two points, going 0-for-12 from the field. However, he quickly found his rhythm, scoring 19 points in his second game against the Orlando Magic. The Cavaliers entered the NBA playoffs as the team with the best regular-season record. They defeated Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls in five games but ultimately fell to the Boston Celtics in six games. Weeks after this series, Jamison's teammate LeBron James departed the Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat, alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
The 2010-11 NBA season proved challenging for the Cavaliers, as they set an NBA record with a 26-game losing streak, breaking a mark previously held by the franchise in 1983. This streak was eventually snapped with a 126-119 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Clippers. In January 2011, Jamison publicly stated that he was considering retirement, indicating that the 2011-12 season might be his last. On February 27, in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Jamison suffered a broken left pinky finger after being fouled, requiring surgery that ended his season. He concluded his 14th NBA season in 2011-12 with averages of 17.2 points and 6.3 rebounds.
4.5. Los Angeles Lakers
On July 25, 2012, Jamison signed with the Los Angeles Lakers for the NBA veteran's minimum salary. On November 30, in a game against the Denver Nuggets, he delivered a season-high performance with 33 points and 12 rebounds, becoming the first Laker since Shaquille O'Neal in 1998 to record a 30-point, 10-rebound game as a reserve.
Despite this notable performance, coach Mike D'Antoni occasionally kept Jamison out of games, partly due to his inconsistent shooting and subpar defense. Jamison later apologized for comments he made regarding his reduced minutes. On January 4, 2013, he played against the Los Angeles Clippers after having been benched for six consecutive games. Two days later, on January 6, he entered the game against the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter, scoring his first points since December 13. However, he played only four minutes before being benched for the remainder of the game. Jamison eventually rejoined the Lakers' regular rotation after forward Pau Gasol suffered a foot injury. Following initial communication challenges with Coach D'Antoni, their relationship reportedly improved significantly.
4.6. Los Angeles Clippers
On August 28, 2013, Jamison signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. On December 11, 2013, during the second quarter of a game against the Boston Celtics, Jamison scored a 3-pointer that pushed his career points total past the 20,000 mark. This achievement made him only the 39th player in NBA history to reach this milestone.
On February 20, 2014, Jamison was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for the draft rights to Cenk Akyol. However, he was waived by the Hawks the very next day, marking the conclusion of his extensive NBA playing career.
5. International Career
Antawn Jamison proudly represented the United States national team in international competition. He was a key member of the squad that participated in the 2006 FIBA World Championship. During this tournament, the United States team secured a bronze medal. His teammates on the national team included notable players such as Joe Johnson, Kirk Hinrich, LeBron James, Shane Battier, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, Brad Miller, Elton Brand, and Carmelo Anthony, under the guidance of coach Mike Krzyzewski.
6. Playing Style
Antawn Jamison was celebrated for his versatile playing style, which allowed him to effectively play both small forward and power forward positions throughout his NBA career. He possessed a multi-faceted offensive game, combining strong scoring abilities near the basket with reliable outside shooting accuracy. His athleticism and speed for a player of his size further enhanced his effectiveness. Jamison was also a prolific rebounder. He demonstrated explosive scoring potential, notably achieving 50 points in two consecutive games during his career. While not considered a selfish player, his assist numbers were relatively low, with a career average of less than two per game.
7. Post-playing Career
After retiring from the NBA in 2014, Antawn Jamison transitioned into various roles within the basketball world. In October 2014, he began a career in broadcasting, serving as a television analyst for Time Warner Cable SportsNet, covering the Los Angeles Lakers.
On October 3, 2017, Jamison was hired by the Los Angeles Lakers in a scouting capacity, further utilizing his extensive knowledge of the game. In August 2019, he joined the front office of the Washington Wizards, taking on the position of Director of Pro Personnel.
8. Philanthropy
Antawn Jamison has demonstrated a strong commitment to community service and charitable initiatives throughout his career and post-playing life. In 2003, he established and awarded his first Antawn C. Jamison Scholarship at his high school alma mater, Providence High School.
He also launched a significant charitable campaign named "A Better Tomorrow," through which he aims to provide underprivileged individuals with opportunities for a brighter future. Jamison has expressed his motivation for these efforts, stating, "As a professional athlete, I have an obligation to help those less fortunate. I really enjoy being in a position to aid my community - both in the Bay Area and back home in Charlotte - and put a smile on somebody's face. That is what it is all about. I think it is especially important to give back during the holidays, when people tend to feel a little down if things are not going too well."
9. Assessment and Legacy
Antawn Jamison concluded his NBA career in 2014, leaving behind a legacy as a highly productive and versatile player. He is notable for being one of only two eligible former NBA players, alongside Tom Chambers, to have scored 20,000 or more career points without being elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. His career was marked by consistent scoring, rebounding, and a durable presence in the league for over a decade and a half.
10. Career Statistics
10.1. College Statistics
| Year | Team | Games played | Games started | Minutes per game | Field goal percentage | 3-point field-goal percentage | Free-throw percentage | Rebounds per game | Assists per game | Steals per game | Blocks per game | Points per game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995-96 | North Carolina | 32 | 29 | 32.9 | .624 | .000 | .596 | 9.7 | 1.0 | .8 | 1.0 | 15.1 |
| 1996-97 | North Carolina | 35 | N/A | 34.3 | .544 | .182 | .621 | 9.4 | 0.9 | 1.1 | .6 | 19.1 |
| 1997-98 | North Carolina | 37 | N/A | 33.2 | .579 | .400 | .667 | 10.5 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 22.2 |
| Career | 104 | 29 | 33.5 | .577 | .296 | .617 | 9.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | .8 | 19.0 | |
10.2. NBA Regular Season Statistics
| Year | Team | Games played | Games started | Minutes per game | Field goal percentage | 3-point field-goal percentage | Free-throw percentage | Rebounds per game | Assists per game | Steals per game | Blocks per game | Points per game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-99 | Golden State | 47 | 24 | 22.5 | .452 | .300 | .588 | 6.4 | .7 | .8 | .3 | 9.6 |
| 1999-2000 | Golden State | 43 | 41 | 36.2 | .471 | .286 | .611 | 8.3 | 2.1 | .7 | .3 | 19.6 |
| 2000-01 | Golden State | 82 | 82 | 41.4 | .442 | .302 | .715 | 8.7 | 2.0 | 1.4 | .3 | 24.9 |
| 2001-02 | Golden State | 82 | 82 | 37.0 | .447 | .324 | .734 | 6.8 | 2.0 | .9 | .5 | 19.7 |
| 2002-03 | Golden State | 82 | 82 | 39.3 | .470 | .311 | .789 | 7.0 | 1.9 | .9 | .5 | 22.2 |
| 2003-04 | Dallas | 82 | 2 | 29.0 | .535 | .400 | .748 | 6.3 | .9 | 1.0 | .4 | 14.8 |
| 2004-05 | Washington | 68 | 68 | 38.3 | .437 | .341 | .760 | 7.6 | 2.3 | .8 | .2 | 19.6 |
| 2005-06 | Washington | 82 | 80 | 40.1 | .442 | .394 | .731 | 9.3 | 1.9 | 1.1 | .1 | 20.5 |
| 2006-07 | Washington | 70 | 70 | 38.0 | .450 | .364 | .736 | 8.0 | 1.9 | 1.1 | .5 | 19.8 |
| 2007-08 | Washington | 79 | 79 | 38.7 | .436 | .339 | .760 | 10.2 | 1.5 | 1.3 | .4 | 21.4 |
| 2008-09 | Washington | 81 | 81 | 38.2 | .468 | .351 | .754 | 8.9 | 1.9 | 1.2 | .3 | 22.2 |
| 2009-10 | Washington | 41 | 41 | 38.9 | .420 | .345 | .700 | 8.8 | 1.3 | 1.0 | .2 | 20.5 |
| 2009-10 | Cleveland | 25 | 23 | 32.4 | .485 | .342 | .506 | 7.7 | 1.3 | 1.1 | .5 | 15.8 |
| 2010-11 | Cleveland | 56 | 38 | 32.9 | .427 | .346 | .731 | 6.7 | 1.7 | .9 | .5 | 18.0 |
| 2011-12 | Cleveland | 65 | 65 | 33.1 | .403 | .341 | .683 | 6.3 | 2.0 | .8 | .7 | 17.2 |
| 2012-13 | L.A. Lakers | 76 | 6 | 21.5 | .464 | .361 | .691 | 4.8 | .7 | .4 | .3 | 9.4 |
| 2013-14 | L.A. Clippers | 22 | 0 | 11.3 | .315 | .195 | .720 | 2.5 | .4 | .3 | .1 | 3.8 |
| Career | 1083 | 864 | 34.8 | .451 | .346 | .724 | 7.5 | 1.6 | 1.0 | .4 | 18.5 | |
| All-Star | 2 | 0 | 12.5 | .375 | .333 | .000 | 2.5 | .5 | .0 | .5 | 3.5 | |
10.3. NBA Playoffs Statistics
| Year | Team | Games played | Games started | Minutes per game | Field goal percentage | 3-point field-goal percentage | Free-throw percentage | Rebounds per game | Assists per game | Steals per game | Blocks per game | Points per game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Dallas | 5 | 0 | 21.8 | .456 | .250 | .733 | 5.0 | .4 | 1.0 | .4 | 13.0 |
| 2005 | Washington | 10 | 10 | 38.0 | .451 | .500 | .688 | 6.3 | 1.2 | .7 | .4 | 18.5 |
| 2006 | Washington | 6 | 6 | 42.2 | .424 | .313 | .778 | 7.2 | 3.0 | 1.0 | .3 | 19.2 |
| 2007 | Washington | 4 | 4 | 43.3 | .476 | .346 | .750 | 9.8 | 1.3 | .5 | 1.0 | 32.0 |
| 2008 | Washington | 6 | 6 | 39.5 | .406 | .280 | .571 | 12.0 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 16.8 |
| 2010 | Cleveland | 11 | 11 | 34.1 | .467 | .256 | .732 | 7.4 | 1.3 | .6 | 1.0 | 15.3 |
| 2013 | L.A. Lakers | 4 | 0 | 19.8 | .435 | .417 | .667 | 1.8 | .3 | .3 | .5 | 7.3 |
| Career | 46 | 37 | 34.9 | .448 | .341 | .706 | 7.2 | 1.3 | .8 | .7 | 17.2 | |
11. Career Highs
Antawn Jamison's personal best statistical achievements during his NBA career include:
- Points: 51 (achieved on two occasions)
- Rebounds: 23 (vs. New York on January 30, 2010)
- Assists: 7 (achieved on seven occasions)
- Steals: 6 (achieved on five occasions)
- Blocks: 5 (vs. Miami on December 15, 2006)