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Chris Bosh
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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|
| Position | Power Forward |
|---|---|
| Nickname | CB4 |
| Height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Weight | 230 lb (105 kg) |
| Team | Toronto Raptors |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Born | March 24, 1984 (age 23) Dallas, Texas |
| High school | Lincoln High School, Dallas |
| College | Georgia Tech |
| Draft | 4th overall, 2003 Toronto Raptors |
| Pro career | 2003–present |
| Awards | 2-time All-Star |
Christopher Wesson Bosh (born March 24, 1984) is an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association who plays for the Toronto Raptors. Garnering an array of basketball accolades since his high school days, Bosh left college after one season to enter the 2003 NBA Draft. He was selected fourth overall in what proved to be a very competitive draft class. Since his NBA career began, Bosh, who plays the forward position, has emerged as one of the most established young stars in the NBA. In the process, he has become a two-time NBA All-Star, appeared for the USA National Team, and taken over former fan-favorite Vince Carter as the current face and leader of the Raptors franchise. Owing to his initials and jersey number, Bosh is nicknamed CB4, a name first coined by Toronto Raptors play-by-play commentator, Chuck Swirsky.[1] The nickname also alludes to a cult movie of the same name. Off the court, Bosh is noted for his philanthropy and active community service. In recognition of his own childhood experience, Bosh set up the Chris Bosh Foundation to help promote sports and education amongst youths in Dallas and Toronto, and regularly speaks to youths about the benefits of reading.
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Born in Dallas, Texas, to Noel and Freida Bosh,[2] Chris Bosh grew up in Hutchins, Texas.[3] A family-oriented person, Bosh would often play basketball in the house with his younger brother.[4] By four years of age, Bosh began learning how to dribble a basketball in the gym where his dad played pick-up games.[5] Although Bosh was always tall since youth and this allowed him to out-rebound others in basketball games,[6] Bosh only started learning basketball around fourth grade at a playground near his grandmother's house.[4] Apart from basketball, Bosh also played baseball up till high school, preferring to play as first baseman.[4] Growing up, Bosh names his parents as the biggest influences on his personality and considered NBA superstar Kevin Garnett as his favorite athlete, modeling his play after him.[6] Academically, Bosh always did well in school[6] but he began to garner significant attention from college recruiters when he led Lincoln High School in Dallas to the number one ranking in the country and the USA Today National Championship with a perfect 40-0 season.[7]
Bosh went on to lead Lincoln High to win the Class 4A state title before 16,990 fans as he racked up 23 points, 17 rebounds and nine blocks. Bosh was subsequently named High School Player of the Year by Basketball America, Powerade Player of the Year in Texas, a First-team all-American by Parade, McDonald's, SLAM Magazine and EA Sports, a Second-team all-American by USA Today, a First-team all-state player, and "Mr. Basketball" in Texas by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.[7]
Bosh eventually chose to follow the footsteps of his cousin and aunt by attending the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) to study graphic design and computer imaging, before switching to management.[4] There, he led the Yellow Jackets in averaging 15.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 31 games, and led the Atlantic Coast Conference in field goal percentage (.560), joining Antawn Jamison as the only freshman ever to do so.[2] He left Georgia Tech after his freshman season[2] to pursue a pro career and entered the 2003 NBA Draft. Although Bosh said in future interviews that he misses his college days, he believes he made the right decision to pursue a pro career.[6] He also intends to obtain his college degree one day,[5] to fulfill a promise made to his mother.[4]
In a strong draft class comprising future All-Stars LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade, Bosh was selected fourth overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2003 NBA Draft and was signed by the Raptors on 8 July, 2003.[8] In his rookie season Bosh was forced to play out of position as the Raptors' starting center after Antonio Davis was traded to the Chicago Bulls.[9] Night in and night out the wiry teenager battled against opponents who had a significant size and strength advantage over him.[9] Bosh — who cited teammate Michael Curry as his mentor[6] — was often praised by his coaches for his heart, and willingness to play through pain and injuries resulting from his lack of body strength compared to some of the league's strong forwards and centers.[10] Bosh's contributions were not unnoticed by teammates either,[11] as he averaged 11.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.41 blocks, and 33.5 minutes in 75 games, leading all rookies in rebounding and blocks, and setting a franchise record for most rebounds in a rookie season.[2] Bosh was rewarded by being selected to the All-Rookie First Team for the 2003-04 NBA season.[2]
With the departure of the former disenchanted and often criticized franchise face Vince Carter on 17 December 2004, Bosh was simultaneously anointed as the new leader around whom the franchise would build.[12] In the remaining games following Carter's departure, Bosh averaged 18.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 38.1 minutes per game, improving in every major statistical category.[2] In recognition of his efforts, he was awarded his first ever NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played between 3 and 9 January, 2005.[2] As the season drew to a close, analysts predicted that Bosh would become an All-Star one day.[13][14] Bosh ended the 2004-05 season as the leading scorer and leading rebounder for the team on 21 and 46 occasions respectively.[2]
Prior to the 2005-06 NBA season, Bosh was named as one of the Raptors' team captains. Bosh continued to work on his game as he consistently chalked up double doubles, leading the team in scoring, rebounding, and field goal percentage for the first half of the season.[15] On 9 February, 2006, for the first time in his career, Bosh was selected to play in the 2006 NBA All-Star Game in Houston, Texas as a reserve forward for the Eastern Conference[2] He was only the third Raptor to make an All-Star game, after Vince Carter and Antonio Davis. Bosh's selection was just three days after he was named NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the second time in his career.[15]
In March 2006, Bosh was accidentally kicked in the thumb by teammate Pape Sow and missed the rest of the season.[16] After his injury, the Toronto Raptors went 1-10,[17] highlighting Bosh's importance as the centerpiece of the offense, as well as the leader of the team. The Raptors finished the season 27-55 and Bosh averaged 22.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.[18]
Despite a major off-season revamp of the Raptors roster — including the departure of good friends Mike James and Charlie Villanueva — Bosh officially signed a three-year contract extension with a player option for a fourth year on 14 July, 2006.[19] The deal would pay him nearly US$65 million over the four years.[20] In signing the contract, Bosh said "I think the future is very positive for the franchise…change was needed…we have a lot of guys who just want to win and are willing to work hard."[20] During the same press conference announcing the agreement, Bosh also announced a donation of $1,000,000 to a Toronto charity, known as Community Legacy Programs.[19]
After a shaky start to the Raptors' 2006-07 campaign, the Raptors managed to surpass the 0.500 mark as the All-Star break approached.[21] Bosh's play and leadership were pivotal to this run and as an increasing recognition of his abilities, on 25 January 2007, he was named an All-Star starter for the East in the 2007 NBA All-Star Game. Bosh received the second highest number of votes among all Eastern Conference forwards, bested only by LeBron James.[22] This was his first All-Star start and second overall All-Star appearance, having averaged over 22 points and 11 rebounds in the first half of the season.[22]
On 31 January 2007, in a game against the Washington Wizards, Bosh scored a 65-foot buzzer-beating shot to end the third quarter of the game.[23] He shot 15-of-15 after missing his first four shots.[24] Bosh's in-form streak enabled him to be selected Eastern Conference Player of the Month for January 2007.[25] He had averaged 25.4 points and 9.1 rebounds while leading the Raptors to a 10-5 record in the month of January. Bosh also recorded three games with 14 or more rebounds, and set a career-high six blocks[26] while leading the Raptors to a 90-77 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
On 7 February 2007, Bosh scored a career-high 41 points — overcoming Dwight Howard's career-high 32 points — in a 113-103 win over the Orlando Magic. Bosh shot 13-for-25 and recorded 8 rebounds (3 from the offensive glass) in 45 minutes and went 15-for-17 from the free-throw line.[27] His performance prompted the home fans to chant "MVP" — an unprecedented event in the Air Canada Centre.[28] Two days later, Bosh would collect 29 points and 11 rebounds against the Los Angeles Lakers, shooting 10-of-10 in the second half.[29] Bosh was also instrumental in a victory against the Chicago Bulls on 13 February (a team they had lost to the last 15 times they met), when he sank two free throws with 2.1 seconds remaining.[30]
On 28 March 2007, Bosh became the new franchise record holder for double doubles as he collected 13 points and 18 rebounds in a home against the Miami Heat.[31] He was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the third time in his career shortly after,[32] having led the Raptors to clinch their first NBA Playoffs berth in five years following a victory against the Charlotte Bobcats on 1 April, 2007.
Bosh's international career began in 2002 when he was selected as a member of the 2002 USA Basketball Junior World Championship Qualifying Team that finished with a 4-1 record and the bronze medal.[33]
After his NBA career began, Bosh was named on 5 March 2006, to the the 2006-2008 USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team program, and helped lead the team to a 5–0 record during its pre-World Championship tour.[33] On 17 August 2006, Bosh was named as a member of the 2006 USA World Championship Team.[33] Together with fellow 2003 draftees Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Kirk Hinrich, this team competed in the 2006 FIBA World Championship. The team won the bronze medal, defeating former 2004 Olympic champion Argentina.[34] Bosh was ranked sixth in field goal percentage.[33]
Bosh, currently listed at 6 ft 10 in(2.08 m) and 230 pounds (104 kg),[18] possesses excellent speed, athleticism, and ball handling for a player of his size. He is particularly noted for his ability to drive to the basket and finish strong or get to the free throw line, but he is also known for his well-developed jump shot.[35] Bosh worked on his three point shooting during the summer of 2006 and showed improvement in the 2006-07 season. On 8 November 2006, against the Philadelphia Sixers, he hit a game winning three point shot with 6.1 seconds left.[36] It was reminiscent of the shot that marked his "arrival" to the NBA in his first season, when he hit a game-tying three pointer against Houston to send the game to overtime.[2] As of 30 March 2007, Bosh is shooting .333 from the three point arc.
In terms of leadership, Bosh has always led by example. On the court, he is not noted for being vocal, preferring to maintain his quiet and humble demeanor but expecting his team mates to match his work ethic.[35] Comparisons have also been made between Bosh and Kevin Garnett due to their similar style of play and physique.
Besides his on-the-court exploits, Bosh was a National Honor Society member and graduated with honors from Lincoln.[5] He is also a member of the National Society of Black Engineers and the Dallas Association of Minority Engineers.[5]
In the field of philanthropy, given that he was only a few years removed from a childhood not without its financial challenges,[5] Bosh established the Chris Bosh Foundation in 2004. The Foundation's website describes the Foundation as "a non-profit organization promoting social enrichment, education and physical fitness among youth. The Foundation assists youth in reaching the educational and athletic goals they set through mentoring and setting examples in the community."[37] The Foundation, with programs in Toronto and Dallas, has worked closely with organizations such as the Toronto Special Olympics to raise important funding for community projects.[5] Bosh's mother, Freida, is the CEO of the Foundation.[37] As an avid reader of books, Bosh also regularly speaks to groups of Toronto children about the benefits of reading,[3] and has received the NBA Community Assist Award for his active contributions for the Raptors community development program in Toronto during the course of the NBA campaign.[38]
- Correct as of 5 April 2007
| SEASON | TEAM | GP | MPG | SPG | BPG | RPG | APG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-04 | Toronto | 75 | 33.5 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 7.4 | 1.0 | 11.5 |
| 2004-05 | Toronto | 81 | 37.2 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 8.9 | 1.9 | 16.8 |
| 2005-06 | Toronto | 70 | 39.3 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 9.2 | 2.6 | 22.5 |
| 2006-07 | Toronto | 63 | 38.2 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 10.7 | 2.5 | 22.8 |
- ACC Rookie of the Year (2002-03 at Georgia Tech)
- Member of U.S. National Basketball Team
- 2-time NBA All-Star (1 as starter)
- NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month, January 2007
- NBA All Rookie Team (2003-04)
- Appeared in the 2004 and 2005 NBA rookie-sophomore game, which took place during the NBA's annual NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, California and Denver, Colorado respectively
- Third-youngest player in NBA history to record 1,000 career rebounds.[2]
- Fourth-youngest player in NBA history to record 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game.[2]
- ^ Gallay, Mike, "The Birthday Bosh", nba.com/raptors, 24 March 2004, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Chris Bosh Info Page – Bio, nba.com, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ a b Mawhinney, Janice, "Playing by the book; Raptors star uses money and charisma to make sure literacy is a winner with Toronto schoolkids", Toronto Star, 26 November 2005.
- ^ a b c d e Colbourn, Glenn, "A new Bosh in Raps' town", Toronto Star, 13 January 2004.
- ^ a b c d e f About, Official Website of Chris Bosh, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ a b c d e Aldridge, Andre, "CHATTING WITH CB4", nba.com, 2 January 2007, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ a b Player Bio: Chris Bosh, ramblinwreck.com, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ "Raptors Sign Chris Bosh", nba.com/raptors, 8 July 2003, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ a b Feschuk, Dave, "Vegas trip leaves Bosh bushed", thestar.com, 18 February 2007, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ "Chris Bosh's evolution into an NBA star", ctv.ca, 18 February 2007, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ Kahn, Mike, "The sky, Bosh? Raptors rookie just getting started", cbs.sportsline.com, 26 January 2004, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ 2004-05: End Of The Carter Era, nba.com/raptors, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ Wick, Norma, "All Flights Cancelled, nba.com/raptors, 10 January 2005, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ Ball, Mike, "Still An All-Star In This Town", nba.com/raptors, 17 January 2005, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ a b "Bosh Named NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Week", nba.com/raptors, 6 February 2006, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ "Charlie Villanueva Nets 48 in OT Loss in Milwaukee", nba.com/raptors, 26 March 2006, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ Raptors Schedules & Results 2005-2006, nba.com/raptors, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ a b Chris Bosh Info Page – Career Stats and Totals, nba.com, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ a b "Raptors Re-Sign Bosh to Multi-Year Contract Extension", nba.com/raptors, 14 July 2006, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ a b "Raptors Re-Sign Chris Bosh To Contract Extension", nba.com/raptors, 14 July 2006, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ Raptors Post Up, nba.com/raptors, 26 January 2007, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ a b "Raptors voted all-star starter" cbc.ca, 25 January 2007, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ Raptors Post Up, nba.com/raptors, 31 January 2007, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ Game Notes, nba.com/raptors, 31 January 2007, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ "Bosh named Eastern Conference Player of the Month", nba.com/raptors, 2 February 2007, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ Raptors Post Up, nba.com/raptors, 10 January 2007, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ Raptors Post-Up, nba.com/raptors, 7 February 2007, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ Smith, Doug, Bosh's career-high 41 sparks 'M-V-P' chant, thestar.com, 7 February 2007, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ Post-Game Notes, nba.com/raptors, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ Raptors Post Up, nba.com/raptors, 13 February 2007, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ Smith, Doug, "Raptors' small-ball ices Heat", thestar.com, 29 March 2007, accessed 29 March 2007.
- ^ Raptors Forward Chris Bosh Named Eastern Conference Player Of The Week, nba.com/raptors, 2 April 2007, accessed 4 April 2007.
- ^ a b c d USA Basketball: Bio: Chris Bosh, usabasketball.com, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ 2006 FIBA World Championship, fiba.com, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ a b Thomsen, Ian, "Leading man", sportsillustrated.cnn.com, 6 February 2007, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ Raptors Post-Up, nba.com/raptors, 8 November 2006, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ a b Official website, Chris Bosh Foundation, accessed 20 March 2007.
- ^ "Chris Bosh Receives NBA Community Assist Award", nba.com/raptors, 19 July 2005, accessed 20 March 2007.
- The Official Website of Chris Bosh – Bosh's official website
- Chris Bosh Foundation – information on foundation programs, events and activities
- NBA bio page
- "Leading man" (Sports Illustrated column)
| Preceded by Ed Nelson |
Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman of the Year 2003 |
Succeeded by Chris Paul |
| 2003 NBA Draft | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Round LeBron James | Darko Miličić | Carmelo Anthony | Chris Bosh | Dwyane Wade | Chris Kaman | Kirk Hinrich | T. J. Ford | Michael Sweetney | Jarvis Hayes | Mickaël Piétrus | Nick Collison | Marcus Banks | Luke Ridnour | Reece Gaines | Troy Bell | Žarko Čabarkapa | David West | Aleksandar Pavlović | Dahntay Jones | Boris Diaw | Zoran Planinić | Travis Outlaw | Brian Cook | Carlos Delfino | Ndudi Ebi | Kendrick Perkins | Leandro Barbosa | Josh Howard |
||
| Second Round Maciej Lampe | Jason Kapono | Luke Walton | Jerome Beasley | Sofoklis Schortsianitis | Szymon Szewczyk | Mario Austin | Travis Hansen | Steve Blake | Slavko Vraneš | Derrick Zimmerman | Willie Green | Zaza Pachulia | Keith Bogans | Malick Badiane | Matt Bonner | Sani Bečirovič | Maurice Williams | James Lang | James Jones | Paccelis Morlende | Kyle Korver | Remon Van de Hare | Tommy Smith | Nedžad Sinanović | Rick Rickert | Brandon Hunter | Xue Yuyang | Andreas Glyniadakis |
||
Categories: 1984 births | American basketball players | African American basketball players | Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets men's basketball players | Living people | McDonald's High School All-Americans | People from Dallas | Toronto Raptors players | United States men's national basketball team members