Two-time All-Star and powerful forward whose career was repeatedly interrupted by catastrophic knee injuries.
Antonio Kentrell McDyess was born in Quitman, Mississippi in 1974. Denver Nuggets selected him second overall in the 1995 NBA Draft from the University of Alabama. His 14-season career produced 14.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game along with two All-Star appearances. He averaged 21.2 points and 10.9 rebounds in his finest season of 2000-01. He was one of the most explosive power forwards of his era — his combination of leaping ability, length and scoring touch around the basket made him genuinely imposing. He tore his left knee in April 2001, requiring significant surgery and rehabilitation. He then tore his right knee in January 2004 — a second catastrophic injury that kept him out for another full season. His career was never the same after those two major injuries. He won Olympic gold at the 2000 Sydney Games. He later became a reliable reserve with the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs in the final phase of his career. The question of what he might have been without the injuries is one of basketball's persistent hypotheticals — his pre-injury production suggested a player capable of All-NBA level performance.
Powerful forward/center with excellent rebounding and shot-blocking
How They Played
Athletic big man with mid-range shooting and strong rebounding
Lasting Impact
Solid NBA veteran who overcame major injuries to have lengthy career
All-Star 2x
Career Honours
- All-Star 2x
- Olympic Gold Medal (1994, 2000)