Marcus Dion Camby (born March 22, 1974) is an American former professionalbasketball player who played 17 seasons in theNational Basketball Association (NBA). He was namedDefensive Player of the Year during the2006–07 NBA season, leading the league inblocked shots per game.[1] Camby is also a four-time member of theNBA All-Defensive Team and is 12th on the NBA's all-time career blocks list.
Marcus Dion Camby was born on March 22, 1974, inHartford, Connecticut. Camby began his high school career atConard High School inWest Hartford, Connecticut. He transferred toHartford Public High School.[2] In his senior season, Camby averaged 27 points, 11 rebounds, 8 blocks and 8 assists, en route to a 27–0 record and state title. He was namedGatorade's Connecticut Player of the Year.[3][4]
Camby played three seasons for theUMass Minutemen. He had an NCAA freshman record 105 total blocks during his first year at UMass, and was named theAtlantic 10's Freshman of the Year.[5] Camby was named to the A-10's First Team during his sophomore season in 1994–95, as the Minutemen reached the Elite Eight of theNCAA Tournament.[4]
Camby won theJohn R. Wooden Award[6] and theNaismith College Player of the Year Award[7] during the 1995–96 season. He led UMass to numerous #1 rankings and the1996 NCAAFinal Four.[8] In the NCAA tournament, Camby set a tourney record of 43 total blocked shots in 11 games.[5] On April 29, 1996, Camby announced that he would forgo his senior year at UMass and enter theNBA draft.[9]
In 1997, UMass' visit to the Final Four was vacated by the NCAA because Camby had been found to have accepted $28,000 from two sports agents.[10][11] As part of the penalty, the school was forced to return their $151,617 in revenue from the 1996 NCAA Tournament.[12] Camby later reimbursed the school for the amount lost.[12] According to a 1997Sports Illustrated article, the agents, John Lounsbury and Wesley Spears of Connecticut, had hoped that Camby would hire them to represent him when he became a professional. The article reported that Camby had also received "jewelry, rental cars and prostitutes" from the agents.[13]
Camby was inducted into the UMass Athletic Hall of Fame on September 10, 2010.[14] Though some criticized the school for inducting a student-athlete who caused their Final Four achievement to be vacated, others saw it as a positive recognition of one of the school's best ever athletes.[15][16][17]
Camby returned to school, taking online courses from UMass, and earned his degree on May 12, 2017.[18]
Camby was selected second overall in the first round of the1996 NBA draft by theToronto Raptors.[19] In his rookie season, he made the NBA All-Rookie First Team, averaging 14.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game.[19] On March 27, 1997, Camby had perhaps his best game as a rookie, scoring 37 points (a remarkable 47% of Toronto's points) and grabbing 8 rebounds in a 90–79 loss against theAtlanta Hawks.[20] In the following season, Camby led the league in blocked shots with 3.7 per game.[19] However, Camby's disagreements withButch Carter led Toronto to trade him to the Knicks.[21]
In 1998, Camby was traded to theNew York Knicks in a draft-day deal for longtime KnickCharles Oakley and the draft rights ofSean Marks. Following the trade, Camby stated of Oakley: "No one can replace Oak. He was the heart and soul and team leader. I play different positions. I bring versatility. We'll take it one day at a time and focus on winning, that's what I'm about."[22]
For his first two seasons in New York, Camby backed up veteran All-StarcenterPatrick Ewing. The Knicks struggled to establish on-court chemistry in the lockout-shorted1998–99 season, finishing with a 27–23 record, which was just good enough to qualify for the 8th and final seed in the Eastern Conference.[23] In theplayoffs, Camby and teammate (and close friend)Latrell Sprewell began to assert themselves as the Knicks shocked the top-seededMiami Heat and swept theAtlanta Hawks in the first two rounds, setting up a meeting with the rivalIndiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.[23] After Ewing went down with a season-ending Achilles injury early in the series, Camby filled the void, averagingdouble-doubles in the last three games of the series to lead the Knicks to a six-game upset series win over the Pacers and into theNBA Finals.[24] The Knicks became the first 8th-seeded team to make it to the NBA Finals, where they matched up with theSan Antonio Spurs. The Spurs defeated the Knicks in five games to win the 1999 Championship.[25][26]
In the1999–00 season the Knicks with Ewing back at center bounced back and won 50 games thanks to the contributions of many of the veteran players, including theSixth Man of the Year Award-type season from Camby.[27] In theplayoffs, the Knicks defeated theToronto Raptors in three games andMiami Heat in seven games in the first two rounds of the playoffs en route to making it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second year in a row.[27] There they faced the top seed in the East, theIndiana Pacers, and were defeated by them in six games.[27]
During a game against theSan Antonio Spurs on January 15, 2001, Camby took a roundhouse swing at Spurs' forwardDanny Ferry after he was hit in the eye on a box-out. The punch missed Ferry because Knicks' head coachJeff Van Gundy stepped in at the last second, resulting in his being head-butted by Camby. Van Gundy required 15 stitches to close a gash above his left eye. Camby, who ended up with scratches on his face from both incidents, was suspended for five games and fined $25,000. Ferry was suspended for one game and fined $7,500 for the initial foul.[28] Upon returning from the suspension, Camby began to play his best ball of the season in averaging 12 points with 11 rebounds and 2 blocks a game;[29] however, it was not enough as the Knicks were defeated by theToronto Raptors in five games in the first round of theplayoffs.[30] Camby spent most of the 2001–02 season injured, and without him as an inside presence, the Knicks struggled with a 30–52 record and missed the playoffs.[31] Camby, after getting traded to Denver, accused the Knicks training staff of misdiagnosing his injury and causing him to miss more games than he should have.[32] The Nuggets however, sided with the Knicks.[32]
During the2002 NBA draft, the Knicks traded Camby,Mark Jackson andNenê to theDenver Nuggets in exchange forAntonio McDyess andFrank Williams.[33]
In the2003–04 season, along with rookie teammateCarmelo Anthony, Camby helped lead the Nuggets back to theplayoffs where they were defeated by theMinnesota Timberwolves.
Camby led the NBA in blocked shots four times -1997-'98,'05-'06,'06-'07, and'07-'08.[34] During the2005–06 season with the Nuggets he had 12.0 rebounds per game, 9.6 defensive rebounds per game and 1.4 steals per game.[34] He also averaged 12.8 points per game and led the league in blocks per game (3.3),[34] while helping Denver earn a playoff berth by winning theNorthwest Division.[35]
On December 16, 2006, Camby was involved in theKnicks–Nuggets brawl.[36] He was one of 10 players ejected from the game, but received no suspension.
Camby won theNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award for the2006–07 season.[37] The honor was the first of Camby's career. He received the actual award from NBA commissionerDavid Stern on April 28, 2007, during a pregame ceremony at the Nuggets' first home 2006–07 playoff game against theSan Antonio Spurs.[38] During the 2006–07 season, Camby averaged 3.3 blocks per game (first in the league), 11.7 rebounds per game (fifth in the league), 9.3 defensive rebounds per game (second in the league) and 1.24 steals per game (second among centers).[39][40]
During the2007–08 NBA season, Camby continued to make his mark as one of the best defensive players and centers in the game. He finished the season averaging 13.1 rebounds per game (second in the league), 18.1 rebounds per 48 minutes (first in the league), 10.2 defensive rebounds per game (second in the league), 14.1 defensive rebounds per 48 minutes (first in the league), 3.61 blocks per game (first in the league), 4.96 blocks per 48 minutes (first in the league), 285 total blocks (first in the league), 1.06 steals per game (third among centers) and 3.3 assists per game (second among centers).[34] On December 26, 2007, in a Nuggets home win against theMilwaukee Bucks, Camby posted atriple-double, with 10 points (which included a three-pointer), 11 rebounds and 10 blocks. The triple-double was Camby's third of his career and the first since April 19, 1998, against thePhiladelphia 76ers.[41] On January 14, 2008, in a Nuggets road loss against theCharlotte Bobcats, Camby had a game of 20 points, 23 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 blocks. He became only the fourth player since 1990 to have at least 20 points, 20 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 blocks in one game.[42] On January 17, 2008, in a Nuggets home win against theUtah Jazz, Camby became just the third player since blocked shots became an official NBA stat in 1973–74 with at least 24 rebounds and 11 blocks in a game.[43] On January 25, 2008, in a Nuggets home win against theNew Jersey Nets, Camby blocked 4 shots—and in the process—recorded his 1,000th blocked shot as a member of the Nuggets.[44] On March 16, 2008, in a historic 168–116 home win in regulation over theSeattle SuperSonics (the 168 points were the most points scored in franchise history – fourth most in NBA history – for a non-overtime game), Camby recorded his second triple-double of the2007–08 NBA season when he had 13 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists.[45] The triple-double was accomplished in an NBA record-tying 27 minutes.
On July 15, 2008, Camby was traded to theLos Angeles Clippers for the option to swap second-round draft picks in the2010 NBA draft.[46] Camby said that he was unhappy that he was traded from the Nuggets, essentially being made the scapegoat for their lack of post-season success.[47]
"I thought I had done everything possible that I could do with that team, and just tried to go about things the right way. I just thought the way they went about it was classless; they didn't let me know anything. That's a thing of the past right now, that's something I put behind me and I'm looking forward to embarking on this journey."
In the first part of the2008–09 NBA season, he started atpower forward, withChris Kaman remaining as the starting center. Then, an injury that occurred to Kaman and the arrival of forwardZach Randolph brought Camby back to the starting center position. On December 17, 2008, Camby pulled down a career-high 27 rebounds in a 115–109 overtime loss against theChicago Bulls. He also had 19 points, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 4 blocks.[48]
On February 16, 2010, Camby was traded to thePortland Trail Blazers forSteve Blake,Travis Outlaw, and 1.5 million dollars in cash.[49]
Camby played in 23 games for the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2009–2010 season.[34] With injuries to fellow centersGreg Oden andJoel Przybilla, Camby helped the team secure a playoff berth as the Western Conference's sixth seed.[50] On April 12, 2010, in a game in Portland against theOklahoma City Thunder Camby led the team in scoring with 30 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.[51] On April 20, 2010, he signed a two-year contract extension to stay with the Blazers.[52]
On January 27, 2012, Camby became only the second-ever NBA player (Dennis Rodman being the first) to snare 20 or more rebounds but score zero points in a game, in a 109-71 win over thePhoenix Suns.[53][54]
Camby was traded at the deadline on March 15, 2012, to theHouston Rockets in exchange forJonny Flynn,Hasheem Thabeet and a second round draft pick.[55]
On July 11, 2012, Camby was traded to theNew York Knicks in a sign-and-trade deal that also involvedToney Douglas,Josh Harrellson,Jerome Jordan, and two future draft picks going to the Rockets.[56] He missed most of the 2012–13 season with a strained plantar fascia in his left foot, playing only 24 games.[34]
On July 10, 2013, Camby,Steve Novak,Quentin Richardson, a future first round draft pick, and two future second round draft picks were traded from the Knicks to the team that drafted him 2nd overall in 1996, theToronto Raptors in exchange forAndrea Bargnani.[57] The Raptors then bought out Camby's contract.[58]
On July 29, 2013, Camby re-signed with theHouston Rockets.[59] However, he was waived by the Rockets on October 28, 2013.[60]
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
| * | Led the league |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–97 | Toronto | 63 | 38 | 30.1 | .482 | .143 | .693 | 6.3 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 14.8 |
| 1997–98 | Toronto | 63 | 58 | 31.8 | .412 | .000 | .611 | 7.4 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 3.7* | 12.1 |
| 1998–99 | New York | 46 | 0 | 20.5 | .521 | .000 | .553 | 5.5 | .3 | .6 | 1.6 | 7.2 |
| 1999–00 | New York | 59 | 11 | 26.2 | .480 | .500 | .670 | 7.8 | .8 | .7 | 2.0 | 10.2 |
| 2000–01 | New York | 63 | 63 | 33.8 | .524 | .125 | .667 | 11.5 | .8 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 12.0 |
| 2001–02 | New York | 29 | 29 | 34.7 | .448 | .000 | .626 | 11.1 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 11.1 |
| 2002–03 | Denver | 29 | 9 | 21.2 | .410 | .400 | .660 | 7.2 | 1.6 | .7 | 1.4 | 7.6 |
| 2003–04 | Denver | 72 | 72 | 30.0 | .477 | .000 | .721 | 10.1 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 8.6 |
| 2004–05 | Denver | 66 | 66 | 30.5 | .465 | .000 | .723 | 10.0 | 2.3 | .9 | 3.0 | 10.3 |
| 2005–06 | Denver | 56 | 54 | 33.2 | .465 | .091 | .712 | 11.9 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 3.3* | 12.8 |
| 2006–07 | Denver | 70 | 70 | 33.8 | .473 | .000 | .729 | 11.7 | 3.2 | 1.2 | 3.3* | 11.2 |
| 2007–08 | Denver | 79 | 79 | 34.9 | .450 | .300 | .708 | 13.1 | 3.3 | 1.1 | 3.6* | 9.1 |
| 2008–09 | L.A. Clippers | 62 | 55 | 31.0 | .512 | .250 | .725 | 11.1 | 2.0 | .8 | 2.1 | 10.3 |
| 2009–10 | L.A. Clippers | 51 | 51 | 31.3 | .466 | .333 | .659 | 12.1 | 3.0 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 7.7 |
| 2009–10 | Portland | 23 | 23 | 31.2 | .497 | .000 | .581 | 11.1 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 7.0 |
| 2010–11 | Portland | 59 | 51 | 26.1 | .398 | .000 | .614 | 10.3 | 2.1 | .7 | 1.6 | 4.7 |
| 2011–12 | Portland | 40 | 40 | 22.4 | .416 | .000 | .474 | 8.8 | 1.9 | .8 | 1.4 | 3.8 |
| 2011–12 | Houston | 19 | 13 | 24.1 | .484 | .400 | .423 | 9.3 | 1.7 | .9 | 1.5 | 7.1 |
| 2012–13 | New York | 24 | 4 | 10.4 | .321 | .000 | .421 | 3.3 | .6 | .3 | .6 | 1.8 |
| Career | 973 | 786 | 29.5 | .466 | .205 | .670 | 9.8 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 9.5 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | New York | 20 | 3 | 25.5 | .566 | .000 | .616 | 7.7 | .3 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 10.4 |
| 2000 | New York | 16 | 0 | 24.1 | .337 | .000 | .613 | 7.0 | .4 | .5 | 1.4 | 4.8 |
| 2001 | New York | 4 | 4 | 35.3 | .385 | .000 | .385 | 8.0 | 1.8 | .5 | 2.3 | 6.3 |
| 2004 | Denver | 5 | 5 | 38.8 | .491 | .500 | .571 | 11.4 | 2.4 | .8 | 1.4 | 12.6 |
| 2005 | Denver | 5 | 5 | 36.8 | .415 | .000 | .630 | 11.2 | 1.8 | .6 | 3.2* | 10.2 |
| 2006 | Denver | 5 | 5 | 35.0 | .419 | .000 | .556 | 11.0 | 2.2 | .8 | 2.8* | 11.4 |
| 2007 | Denver | 5 | 5 | 36.8 | .378 | .000 | .667 | 14.8 | 2.0 | .8 | 3.2* | 7.6 |
| 2008 | Denver | 4 | 4 | 31.0 | .238 | 1.000 | .333 | 13.3 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 3.3 |
| 2010 | Portland | 6 | 6 | 29.7 | .421 | .000 | .500 | 10.0 | 2.3 | .7 | 1.2 | 5.8 |
| 2011 | Portland | 6 | 6 | 27.8 | .455 | 1.000 | .000 | 9.7 | 1.3 | .7 | 1.5 | 3.5 |
| 2013 | New York | 3 | 0 | 1.0 | 1.000 | .000 | .000 | .7 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .7 |
| Career | 79 | 43 | 28.4 | .443 | .429 | .578 | 9.0 | 1.2 | .8 | 1.9 | 7.5 | |
Camby lives inPearland, TX - a suburb ofHouston, TX.
Camby tutoredSouth Hadley students while at UMass,[63] and was active with charities throughout his career. He was active with several Denver-area charities as a Nugget.[64] As a pro he also toured Africa withBasketball Without Borders.[65]
In 1996, Camby established the Cambyland Foundation, a non-profit organization.[66] Cambyland partners with school and community organizations to provide opportunities for young people.
On April 23, 2001, Camby's mother and two sisters were taken hostage in their own home by Hartford resident Troy Crooms. Crooms, who was charged with kidnapping, first-degree sexual assault, burglary and possession of a weapon, held them at knife-point over an eight-hour-long stand-off with police.[67] Camby himself was at the scene with police during the stand-off.[68] Crooms eventually pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual assault, second-degree burglary and violating probation.[69] After initially facing 95 years in prison, Crooms was sentenced to 18 years in prison.[70][71]
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