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Eddy Curry

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Eddy Curry
Curry with theNew York Knicksin January 2007
Personal information
Born(1982-12-05)December 5, 1982(age 41)
Harvey, Illinois,U.S.
Listed height7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
Listed weight295 lb (134 kg)
Career information
High schoolThornwood(South Holland, Illinois)
NBA draft2001:1st round, 4th overall pick
Selected by theChicago Bulls
Playing career2001–2013, 2018–2019
PositionCenter
Career history
2001–2005Chicago Bulls
2005–2011New York Knicks
2011–2012Miami Heat
2012Dallas Mavericks
2012–2013Zhejiang Golden Bulls
2018–2019Zhuhai Wolf Warriors
Career highlights and awards
Career statistics
Points6,820 (12.9 ppg)
Rebounds2,725 (5.2 rpg)
Blocks384 (0.7 bpg)
StatsEdit this at Wikidataat NBA.com
StatsEdit this at Wikidataat Basketball-Reference.com

Eddy Anthony Curry Jr.[1](born December 5, 1982)[2]is an American former professionalbasketballplayer. Coming directly out ofThornwood High SchoolinSouth Holland, Illinois,Curry was selected fourth overall in the2001 NBA draftby theChicago Bulls.Curry played for the Bulls until 2005, then played for theNew York Knicksfrom 2005 to 2010. Curry played for theMiami Heatin the2011–12season and was part of the Heat's2012 championship team.Curry played for theDallas Mavericksfor the early part of the2012–13season before playing out the season for theZhejiang Golden Bullsof theChinese Basketball Association.

High school career

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Prior to becoming considered one of the best high school basketball players in the nation as a senior atThornwood High SchoolinSouth Holland, Illinois,Curry aspired to be agymnast[3]and did not pick up basketball until the seventh grade when he reluctantly went out for the school team. In 2001, Curry led his team to second place in theIHSAState Playoffs. For his efforts, Curry was named 2001Illinois Mr. Basketball.In his senior year of high school he posted averages of 22 points per game, 9 rebounds and 6 blocks.[4]He was named to the 1998, 1999 and 2000 State Farm Holiday Classic all-tournament teams, and in 2003 was named by the fans to the tournament's All-Quarter Century Team.

In 2001, Eddy Curry and four other high school basketball stars, were the subject of the documentary "Preps:Chicago Hoops", a series about making the jump to college or the NBA.[5]

Professional career

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Chicago Bulls (2001–2005)

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Curry had signed a letter of intent to play atDePaul Universitybut declared himself eligible for the2001 NBA draftin which theChicago Bullsmade him the fourth overall pick.

Curry's contribution was limited during his rookie year due to limited minutes. Curry improved in his second year, leading the NBA infield goalpercentage (58.5%) and becoming the first Bull to lead the league in a major statistical category sinceMichael Jordanin 1998. In the2004–05 seasonthe Bulls improved by 28 wins and made theplayoffsas the 22-year-old Curry led the team in scoring before being hospitalized with an irregular heartbeat. This caused him to miss the last 13 games of the regular season and the entire playoffs. On June 24, 2005, heart specialists cleared Curry to resume practice.

New York Knicks (2005–2011)

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Curry attempts a shot in a January 2007 game against theWashington Wizards.

On October 3, 2005, after refusing on privacy grounds to submit to aDNAtest, as requested by Bulls management, to assess whether he has a congenital heart condition, Curry was traded to the New York Knicks. The trade included the Bulls'Antonio Davis,as well as the Knicks'Mike Sweetney,Tim Thomas,andJermaine Jackson.[6]First-round draft picks were also exchanged in the trade—which later came back to haunt the Knicks as they had a poor 2005–06 season in which Curry averaged 13.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per game (numbers that were significantly down from the previous season). Curry's inability to defend and rebound was a source of frustration for former coachesScott SkilesandLarry Brown.When asked by a reporter in 2003 what Curry needed to do to become a better rebounder, Skiles simply replied: "Jump."[7]The2006–07 seasonsaw a resurgence in Curry's performance under new coachIsiah Thomas,with Curry anointed the team's primary offensive option, averaging career highs in points (19.6), rebounds (7.1), and minutes (34.9) per game. On April 7, 2007 Curry scored a career-best 43 points in an overtime win over theMilwaukee Bucks;his firstthree-pointerof the season forcing the game into the extra period.[8]Curry is 2 for 2 (100%) from three-point range in his NBA career.[8]In the 2007–2008 season, Curry was expected to form a great frontcourt withZach Randolph,however both of them saw a regression in their games. Curry showed up to training camp in October 2008 out of shape for the second year in a row, incensing new head coachMike D'Antoni.Curry not only lost his starting job, but was not even in D'Antoni's rotation at the beginning of the 2008–2009 season. Curry was also bothered by a sore right knee for much of the season. Curry played his first game of the season on January 8, 2009 against theDallas Mavericksand played in two other games later in the season. During the 2009 off-season Curry began working with a trainer on a fitness and weight-loss regimen. As of mid-July he had lost 30 pounds, but according to the trainer it would be "delusional" for coaches to think he could get down to his listed weight of 285 pounds.[9]

Miami Heat (2011–2012)

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On February 22, 2011, Curry was traded to theMinnesota Timberwolvesin a three-way blockbuster deal which also involvedDenver Nuggetsthat broughtCarmelo Anthonyto New York.[10]On March 1, 2011, his contract was bought out by the Timberwolves[11]before he played a single game for them, making him a free agent.

On December 10, 2011, Curry signed a one-year contract with the Miami Heat.[12]On January 19, 2012, a noticeably-slimmer Curry played in the NBA for the first time since 2009, against theLos Angeles Lakers.He had lost nearly 70 pounds since he last played in the NBA, and scored six points in six minutes in his return to the NBA.[13]As a part of the Heat's 2011–2012 championship team, Curry played 83 minutes[14]in 14 games (starting one), and was active for (but did not play in) one game during the playoffs.[15]

Dallas Mavericks (2012)

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In October 2012, Curry signed with theSan Antonio Spurs.[16]However, he did not make the team's final roster.[17]

Curry was claimed off waivers by theDallas Maverickson October 25, 2012.[18]He played two games for Dallas before being waived to make room forTroy Murphy,as the Mavericks wanted a power forward with outside shooting ability instead of a traditional center.[19]The second game that Curry played for Dallas on October 31, 2012 ended up being his final NBA game ever. In his final game, Curry and the Mavericks would lose to the Utah Jazz 94 - 113 with Curry recording 2 points and no other stats in 8 minutes of play.

Zhejiang Golden Bulls (2012–2013)

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In December 6, 2012, Curry signed with theZhejiang Golden Bullsin China, replacingJosh Boone.[20]Curry played in 29 games and averaged 23.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game.[21]Curry played his last game with Zhejiang on February 27, 2013,[21]as he missed the last two playoff games due togastroenteritis.[22]

Zhuhai Wolf Warriors (2018–2019)

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Curry signed with theZhuhai Wolf Warriorsof theASEAN Basketball League(ABL) in 2018, and played for the team in the2018–19 ABL season.[23]He was released by the Wolf Warriors on January 20, 2019.[24]

Personal life

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Curry is married and has seven children, one from a previous marriage (Eddy III), and four with his current wife Patrice Curry, who starred onVH1'sBasketball Wives LAfranchise.[25]Curry's other two children, Ava and Noah, were with former girlfriend Nova Henry, who was murdered in 2009 along with 10-month-old Ava.

Cardiac problems

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Several prominent cardiologists cleared Curry to play,[26][27]but Barry Maron, a world-renowned specialist inhypertrophic cardiomyopathy,suggested aDNAtest.[28]During the team's media day, Bulls General ManagerJohn Paxsonsaid he understood the privacy issues involved but insisted the Bulls did not have an ulterior motive, that their concern was a situation similar to those of formerBoston CelticsguardReggie LewisorLoyola MarymountstarHank Gathers—players with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who collapsed and died—and that the Bulls had offered Curry an annuity of $400,000 per year for 50 years if he took and failed the genetic test.[29]Curry never took the test and ultimately continued his career based on the clearances from other experts.[30]

Alleged sexual harassment

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On January 12, 2009, Curry was sued by his formerchauffeur,David Kuchinsky. Kuchinsky accused Curry of trying to solicit sex from him. According to court papers, Curry twice approached Kuchinsky "in the nude," saying, "Look at me, Dave, look" and, "Come and touch it, Dave." Kuchinsky also alleged that Curry called him racial slurs.[31]

Kuchinsky claimed Curry owed him $68,000 in unpaid wages, as well as $25,000 in expenses which Curry never repaid. Those expenses, he said, included cellphones that Curry had him buy as gifts and hotel and club bills.[32]Curry's lawyer, Kelly A. Saindon, called Kuchinsky's claims "preposterous" and "extortion".[33]Federal judgeDenise Cotedismissed the lawsuit on May 28, 2009 and sent it toarbitration.[34]

Daughter's and ex-girlfriend's murders

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Curry's ex-girlfriend, Nova Henry, and their ten-month-old daughter Ava Curry were found murdered inChicagoon January 24, 2009. A paternity test proved that Ava was the daughter of Curry and Henry. Their three-year-old son Noah was found unharmed at the scene.[35]Two counts of first degree murder were brought against 36-year-oldattorneyFrederick Goings on February 22, 2009;[36]Goings had served as Henry's attorney in a custody case against Curry involving Ava, and was allegedly involved in a relationship with Henry.[37]Goings was convicted of all charges against him on February 12, 2013,[38]and was sentenced to life in prison two months later.[39]

Foreclosure

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As of June 2009, Curry's Chicago home was inforeclosure;he owed close to $220,000 inmortgagepayments. Curry took out a nearly $4 million mortgage on the property in 2006, which included monthly house payments of more than $25,000.[40][41]In June 2021, Curry was evicted for violating his lease agreement in Katy, Texas.[citation needed]

Awards and accomplishments

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High school

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  • USA TodayFirst TeamAll-American
  • PARADEHigh School Player of the Year
  • EarnedIllinois Mr. Basketballhonors
  • MVP of theMcDonald's All-Americangame after scoring 28 points with 8 rebounds and 4 blocked shots in leading the West to a 131–125 victory
  • Led Thornwood High School to the Illinois State Championship game, averaging 22.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 6.0 blocked shots, shooting.640 from the floor, including 25.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in the state tournament. Averaged 24.6 points and 11.2 rebounds, along with 4.8 blocks, as a junior.
  • Was selected to the State Farm Holiday Classic all-tournament team in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

NBA

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NBA career statistics

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Legend
GP Games played GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
FG% Field goalpercentage 3P% 3-point field goalpercentage FT% Free throwpercentage
RPG Reboundsper game APG Assistsper game SPG Stealsper game
BPG Blocksper game PPG Points per game Bold Career high
† Won anNBA championship * Led the league

Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2001–02 Chicago 72 31 16.0 .501 .000 .656 3.8 .3 .2 .7 6.7
2002–03 Chicago 81 48 19.4 .585* .000 .624 4.4 .5 .2 .8 10.5
2003–04 Chicago 73 63 29.5 .496 1.000 .671 6.2 .9 .3 1.1 14.7
2004–05 Chicago 63 60 28.7 .538 .000 .720 5.4 .6 .3 .9 16.1
2005–06 New York 72 69 25.9 .563 .000 .632 6.0 .3 .4 .8 13.6
2006–07 New York 81 81 35.2 .576 1.000 .615 7.0 .8 .4 .5 19.5
2007–08 New York 59 58 25.9 .546 .000 .623 4.7 .5 .2 .5 13.2
2008–09 New York 3 0 4.0 1.000 .000 .333 1.3 .0 .0 .0 1.7
2009–10 New York 7 0 8.9 .381 .000 .588 1.9 .0 .0 .1 3.7
2011–12† Miami 14 1 5.9 .462 .000 .750 .9 .1 .0 .1 2.1
2012–13 Dallas 2 0 12.5 .500 .000 .250 2.0 .0 .0 .0 4.5
Career 527 411 24.9 .545 1.000 .642 5.2 .5 .3 .7 12.9

See also

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References

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  1. ^"Eddy Curry Stats".Basketball-Reference.com.RetrievedMay 25,2020.
  2. ^"Eddy Curry Bio".Miami Heat.RetrievedJune 25,2013.
  3. ^"ESPN.com: Page 2: Heart of the Eddy Curry matter".ESPN.
  4. ^Player Profiles – Eddy Curry,NBA.com.
  5. ^"Preps: Chicago Hoops (TV Series 2001– ) – IMDb".February 4, 2001 – via www.imdb.com.
  6. ^Bulls Re-Sign Curry, Complete Sign-and-Trade with Knicks,National Basketball Association, accessed January 14, 2009.
  7. ^New York Sports – NY Daily NewsArchivedJune 29, 2006, at theWayback Machine,New York Daily News,accessed January 14, 2009.
  8. ^abCurry nets 43, grabs 13 boards and forces OT with 3-pointer,ESPN,April 8, 2007, accessed January 14, 2009.
  9. ^Alan Hahn,Trainer: Don't expect Curry to slim down to 285,July 13, 2009
  10. ^"Wolves Acquire Anthony Randolph".NBA.com.February 22, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 23,2011.
  11. ^"Wolves buy out center Eddy Curry",Associated PressatESPN.com,March 2, 2011.
  12. ^"HEAT Signs Eddy Curry".NBA.com.December 10, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 20,2012.
  13. ^Dan LeBatard,"Miami Heat’s Eddy Curry back in shape with help from Dwyane Wade, LeBron James",Miami Herald,January 22, 2012.
  14. ^Ethan J. Skolnick,"Eddy Curry anxiously awaits the summer"ArchivedJune 17, 2012, at theWayback Machine,Palm Beach Post,June 14, 2012.
  15. ^Ira Winderman,"Eddy Curry on active roster Thursday, does not play",South Florida Sun Sentinel,May 25, 2012.
  16. ^"Spurs Add Two To Training Camp Roster".San Antonio Spurs.
  17. ^"Spurs Waive Derrick Brown and Eddy Curry".San Antonio Spurs.
  18. ^"Dallas Mavericks sign center Eddy Curry via waiver claim – NBA Blog".
  19. ^Tim MacMahon (November 2, 2012)."Mavs make Troy Murphy, Eddy Curry moves official".ESPN.RetrievedMay 18,2013.
  20. ^"| Zhejiang Chouzhou replaces Josh Boone with Eddy CurryNiuBBall.com".
  21. ^ab"Eddy Curry Player Profile, Killers 3s, News, Stats – Asia-Basket".Eurobasket LLC.
  22. ^Ai địch - khoa lí hoạn tràng vị viêm, chiết giang đan ngoại viện xuất chiến quý hậu tái(in Chinese). Hupu.com. February 28, 2013.RetrievedDecember 27,2013.
  23. ^Justin Taguibao (October 17, 2018)."Zhuhai Wolf Warriors Reveal ABL Roster".ASEANSports.RetrievedNovember 18,2018.
  24. ^Hoang, Jayden (January 20, 2019)."Wolf Warriors Replaces Eddy Curry".ASEAN Sports.RetrievedJuly 27,2020.
  25. ^"VH1".Archived fromthe originalon June 25, 2015.RetrievedJuly 1,2015.
  26. ^Frank Isola,"Convinced heart is fine, Curry embraces Knicks",New York Daily News,October 30, 2005.
  27. ^Kathryn Kranhold and Kevin Helliker,"Why Heart Trouble Doesn't Sideline Some Athletes: Dr. Cannom Helps Players Benched by Their Schools; Defibrillators and Testing Drawing the Line at Football",The Wall Street Journal,July 25, 2006
  28. ^Medical News: Full Court Press on Hoop Star Curry to Get DNA Testing – in Cardiovascular, Arrhythmias from MedPage Today,MedPage Today, accessed January 14, 2009.
  29. ^"Bulls deal Curry after DNA test refusal",Associated PressatESPN.com,October 4, 2005.
  30. ^Darren Rovell,"Sources: NBA to standardize physicals",ESPN.com,February 27, 2006.
  31. ^Evans, Patrice (January 14, 2009)."Eddy Curry Hit With Gay Sex Harassment Suit".WMAQ (NBC Chicago).RetrievedJune 25,2013.
  32. ^"Knick Gets Called For Sex Foul".New York Post.January 13, 2009.
  33. ^Howard Beck,"Driver Sues Curry for Sexual Harassment",The New York Times,January 12, 2009.
  34. ^Beck, Howard (May 29, 2009)."Lawsuit Against Knicks' Curry Will Be Settled by Arbitrator".The New York Times.RetrievedJune 28,2013.
  35. ^New York's Eddy Curry Was Father of Slain BabyESPN.com, January 28, 2009, accessed January 30, 2009.
  36. ^"Man charged in death of Eddy Curry's ex, their baby – ESPN".ESPN.February 22, 2009.RetrievedNovember 2,2012.
  37. ^Charges in Death of Eddy Curry's Ex-Girlfriend, BabySI.com, February 23, 2009
  38. ^"Lawyer guilty of killing former Chicago Bull Eddy Curry's ex-girlfriend, daughter".
  39. ^"Frederick Goings sentenced to life in prison murder of Nova Henry, baby Ava".
  40. ^"Eddy Curry's suburban mansion in foreclosure - Sports Pros(e)".blogs.suntimes.com.Archived fromthe originalon July 3, 2009.RetrievedJanuary 13,2022.
  41. ^ Eddy's financial issues continueArchivedJuly 3, 2009, at theWayback Machine
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