French · Cormeilles-en-Parisis, France · Born 16 April 1982Boris Diaw is a French basketball executive and former player who won an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014 and captained France's national team.
Boris Diaw became the first French player to record an NBA triple-double, won the Most Improved Player award in 2006 under Mike D'Antoni's run-and-gun system in Phoenix, and earned an NBA championship with San Antonio in 2014 — a career that covered every position on the floor and made his nickname '3D' feel less like wordplay than a spatial description.. Nicknamed '3D' for his ability to play all five positions, Diaw began his professional career with Pau-Orthez, winning back-to-back French league titles and being named league MVP in 2003 before being drafted 21st overall by the Atlanta Hawks that year. Diaw's career took off after a trade to the Phoenix Suns in 2005, where he became the first French player to record an NBA triple-double and won the NBA's Most Improved Player award in 2006, playing a key role in the Suns' run-and-gun offense under coach Mike D'Antoni. He went on to play for the Charlotte Bobcats before finding a perfect fit with the San Antonio Spurs in 2012, where his unselfish, team-oriented style helped the Spurs reach consecutive NBA Finals, winning the championship in 2014 in a five-game rout of the Miami Heat. As captain of the French national team, Diaw led France to EuroBasket gold in 2013 and a bronze medal at the 2014 FIBA World Cup, alongside additional EuroBasket medals in 2005, 2011, and 2015. He retired from the NBA in 2017 following a season with the Utah Jazz, returned to France to play a final season with Levallois Metropolitans, and officially retired from playing in 2018. He has since become president of Metropolitans 92 in France's top domestic league.
2014 NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs and captain of France's EuroBasket-winning 2013 team
How They Played
Uniquely versatile playmaking forward capable of handling, passing, and defending all five positions
Lasting Impact
One of the most versatile and unselfish forwards of his generation, later becoming a leading figure in French basketball administration
Career Honours
- NBA champion (2014)
- NBA Most Improved Player (2006)
- EuroBasket champion with France (2013)
- First French NBA player to record a triple-double
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Pau-Orthez | 2000–2003 | — |
| Atlanta Hawks | 2003–2005 | — |
| Phoenix Suns | 2005–2008 | — |
| Charlotte Bobcats | 2008–2012 | — |
| San Antonio Spurs | 2012–2016 | — |
| Utah Jazz | 2016–2017 | — |
| Levallois Metropolitans | 2017–2018 | — |
French Athletes