Joshua Malik Childress (born June 20, 1983) is an American former professional

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of shooting a basketball (approximately in diameter) through the defender's h ...

player. An All-EuroLeague Second Team member in 2010, he played with the

Atlanta Hawks The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta. The Hawks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The team plays its home games at ...

, Phoenix Suns,

Brooklyn Nets The Brooklyn Nets are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. The Nets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The ...

and New Orleans Pelicans of the

National Basketball Association The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America. The league is composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada) and is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United St ...

(NBA), and Olympiacos Piraeus of the

Greek Basket League The Greek Basket League (GBL), often also referred to as the Greek A1 Basketball League, or Greek Basketball Championship (originally called Panhellenic Basketball Championship), and also known as the Stoiximan Basket League for sponsorship reaso ...

and EuroLeague.

Early life

Childress grew up in Compton, California where he and his brother, Chris, played basketball and did their best to stay out of trouble. The neighborhood they lived in was very tight and supportive, but they lived under constant threat of gangsters in the area. Childress attended

Mayfair High School Mayfair High School is a middle and high school in the Bellflower Unified School District in the city of Lakewood, California. The school first opened in 1959. The student population is approximately 3616 in grades 7 through 12. Mayfair serves ...

in nearby Lakewood, overlapping with MLB All-Star

Justin Turner Justin Matthew Turner (born November 23, 1984) is an American professional baseball third baseman for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets and Los Angeles Dod ...

. Besides playing basketball in high school and being named a McDonald's High School All-American, he also played

volleyball Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules. It has been a part of the official program of the Sum ...

during his senior year. He led his high school volleyball team, the Monsoons, to an undefeated record and he was voted to the All-League volleyball team. Josh has his #22 jersey retired at Mayfair.

College career

Childress played three seasons of

college basketball In United States colleges, top-tier basketball is governed by collegiate athletic bodies including National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the United States Collegiate Athleti ...

with Stanford, where he was named an AP first team All-American, an All-American Consensus second team honoree, the Pac-10 Conference Player of the Year and the Pac-10 Conference tournament

MVP In team sports, a most valuable player award, abbreviated 'MVP award', is an honor typically bestowed upon an individual (or individuals, in the instance of a tie) whose individual performance is the greatest in an entire league, for a particu ...

as a junior in 2004. He then declared for the

2004 NBA draft The 2004 NBA draft was held on June 24, 2004, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, and was broadcast live on ESPN at 7:00 pm ( EDT). In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur colle ...

where he was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the sixth overall pick, becoming the highest Stanford player to be drafted in the NBA.

Professional career

Atlanta Hawks (2004–2008)

Childress was selected with the sixth overall pick in the

by the

. During his rookie season in 2004–05, Childress emerged as one of two promising rookie talents for the Hawks, along with

Josh Smith Joshua Smith (born December 5, 1985) is an American former professional basketball player who played 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Entering the NBA straight out of high school, Smith played nine seasons with the Atlant ...

; as the season went on, the two showed improved play, minutes and production. Childress ranked third among rookies in

double-double In basketball, a double-double is a single-game performance in which a player accumulates ten or more in two of the following five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. The first "double" in the term ...

s in the 2004–05 season, behind only

Emeka Okafor Chukwuemeka Ndubuisi "Emeka" Okafor (born September 28, 1982) is an American former professional basketball player. Okafor attended Bellaire High School in Bellaire, Texas and the University of Connecticut, where in 2004 he won a national champ ...

and

Dwight Howard Dwight David Howard II (born December 8, 1985) is an American professional basketball player for the Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League. He is an NBA champion, eight-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA Team honoree, five-time All-Defensive Team ...

. He was also voted to the NBA All-Rookie second team. Over the next three seasons, Childress played a sixth man role for the Hawks, and in four total seasons for the franchise, he averaged 11.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in 285 games with 67 starts.

Olympiacos (2008–2010)

In July 2008, Childress signed a three-year, $20 million contract with the Greek team Olympiacos Piraeus. Because of tax breaks from playing overseas, however, his $20 million contract was equivalent to $32.5 million with an NBA team. Childress also had the option to opt out of the contract after each year. Childress also received a Greek

Nike Nike often refers to: * Nike (mythology), a Greek goddess who personifies victory * Nike, Inc., a major American producer of athletic shoes, apparel, and sports equipment Nike may also refer to: People * Nike (name), a surname and feminine give ...

shoe contract after signing with Olympiacos, a Nike sponsorship club. He had been offered a five-year, $33 million deal by the

, but he turned it down because it was significantly less money than what Olympiacos offered him. During the 2008–09 EuroLeague season, he averaged 8.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game. During the 2009–10 EuroLeague season, he averaged 15.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game. In June 2010, Childress parted ways with Olympiacos.

Phoenix Suns (2010–2012)

On July 13, 2010, Childress' rights were acquired by Phoenix Suns in a trade that also sent a 2012 second-round draft pick to the Atlanta Hawks. Childress then signed a five-year deal with the Suns. On July 15, 2012, after the Suns acquired the amnestied rights of

Luis Scola Luis Alberto Scola Balvoa (born April 30, 1980) is an Argentine former professional basketball player and current executive who currently serves as the chief executive officer for the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) team Pallacanestro Varese. ...

, Childress was released by the Suns via the amnesty clause.

Brooklyn Nets (2012)

On September 13, 2012, Childress signed with the

. On December 29, 2012, he was waived by the Nets.

New Orleans Pelicans (2013)

On September 27, 2013, Childress signed with the

Washington Wizards The Washington Wizards are an American professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. The Wizards compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The team plays ...

. However, he was later waived by the Wizards on October 24, 2013. On November 12, 2013, he signed with the New Orleans Pelicans. On December 13, 2013, he was waived by the Pelicans.

Sydney Kings (2014–2016)

2014–15 season

On August 12, 2014, Childress signed with the Sydney Kings for the

2014–15 NBL season The 2014–15 NBL season was the 37th season of competition since its establishment in 1979. A total of eight teams contested the league. The regular season was played between 10 October 2014 and 22 February 2015, followed by a post-season featu ...

. On October 28, he was handed a one-game suspension and a $7,500 fine for unduly rough play and bringing the game into disrepute. The charges were laid over his strike to Perth Wildcats' forward

Jesse Wagstaff Jesse Kendall James Wagstaff (born 30 April 1986) is an Australian professional basketball player for the Perth Wildcats of the National Basketball League (NBL). After playing college basketball for the Metro State Roadrunners in the United S ...

on October 24; Childress was ejected from the game following the incident. He went on to earn Player of the Week honors for Round 5 after scoring 18 points against the

Wollongong Hawks The Illawarra Hawks (formerly the Wollongong Hawks and The Hawks) is an Australian professional basketball team based in Wollongong, New South Wales. The Illawarra Hawks compete in the National Basketball League (Australia), National Basketball ...

on November 7, and 36 points against the

Adelaide 36ers The Adelaide 36ers, also known as the Sixers, are an Australian professional men's basketball team in the National Basketball League (NBL). The 36ers are the only team in the league representing the state of South Australia and are based in th ...

on November 9. On December 5, he was named the NBL Player of the Month for November. On January 28, 2015, Childress was ruled out for the rest of the season after scans revealed he required surgery for a torn pectoral muscle. In 18 games for the Kings in 2014–15, he averaged 21.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.1 blocks per game.

2015–16 season

On July 2, 2015, Childress re-signed with the Kings for the

2015–16 NBL season The 2015–16 NBL season was the 38th season of competition since its establishment in 1979. A total of eight teams contested the league. The regular season was played between 7 October 2015 and 14 February 2016, followed by a post-season featuri ...

. After missing the first four games of the season with a foot injury, Childress returned to the court on October 23 against the Adelaide 36ers. However, in his return game, he sustained another injury, this time breaking his right hand. He played through the Kings' 91–80 loss to the 36ers with the break and still managed to score 23 points, but following the game, he was ruled out for a further four to six games with a boxer's fracture. He was subsequently replaced in the line-up by fellow former NBA player

Al Harrington Albert Harrington (born February 17, 1980) is an American former professional basketball player and current assistant coach for the Cape Town Tigers. Selected with the 25th overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft, Harrington played 16 seasons in the ...

. On November 10, he was suspended for two games for demonstrating unsportsmanlike behaviour on the sidelines during the Kings' loss to the Adelaide 36ers three days prior. Not playing in the game due to his hand injury, Childress verbally abused the referees in the tunnel of

Titanium Security Arena Adelaide Arena (known commercially as Adelaide 36ers Arena) is a multipurpose indoor sports stadium located in Findon, an inner western suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. It is the former home arena for the Adelaide 36ers of the NBL and th ...

following the conclusion of the match, further tarnishing his reputation in the NBL. A third injury to Childress, this time a fractured left hand, was sustained on December 4 against the Cairns Taipans, just two games back after recovering from his previous injury. He was subsequently ruled out for another two to four weeks. He was reactivated once again on December 29 and played out the rest of the season. In 13 games for the last-placed Kings in 2015–16, Childress averaged 21.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.7 blocks per game.

Texas Legends (2016)

On March 8, 2016, Childress was acquired by the

Texas Legends The Texas Legends are an American professional basketball team in the NBA G League based in Frisco, Texas, and are affiliated with the Dallas Mavericks. The Legends play their home games at the Comerica Center. The team began as the Colorado ...

of the NBA Development League. Three days later, he made his debut for the Legends in a 115–113 loss to the

Rio Grande Valley Vipers The Rio Grande Valley Vipers are an American professional basketball team of the NBA G League based in Edinburg, Texas, and are affiliated with the Houston Rockets. The Vipers play their home games at the Bert Ogden Arena. The Vipers have won fo ...

, recording 17 points, seven rebounds and three blocks in 29 minutes off the bench. In eight games for the Legends, he averaged 12.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals per game.

San-en NeoPhoenix (2016–2017)

In November 2016, Childress signed with San-en NeoPhoenix of the Japanese B.League. In 40 games, he averaged 18.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 blocks per game.

Adelaide 36ers (2017–2018)

After spending preseason with the Denver Nuggets, Childress signed with the

for the rest of the

2017–18 NBL season The 2017–18 NBL season was the 40th season of the National Basketball League since its establishment in 1979. A total of eight teams contested the league. The regular season was played between October 2017 and February 2018, followed by a post ...

on October 21, 2017, returning to the NBL for a second stint. He helped the 36ers reach the 2018 NBL Grand Final series, where in Game 2, he suffered a shoulder injury that ruled him out for the rest of the series. The 36ers went on to lose the grand final series 3–2. In 27 games, he averaged 12.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

Return to the NeoPhoenix (2018–2019)

On December 13, 2018, Childress was reported to have signed with San-en NeoPhoenix of the Japanese B.League.

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

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Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...

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Phoenix Phoenix most often refers to: * Phoenix (mythology), a legendary bird from ancient Greek folklore * Phoenix, Arizona, a city in the United States Phoenix may also refer to: Mythology Greek mythological figures * Phoenix (son of Amyntor), a ...

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Brooklyn Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...

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Playoffs

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, 7 , , 0 , , 29.3 , , .524 , , .000 , , .500 , , 5.7 , , 1.6 , , .1 , , .7 , , 7.1 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 7 , , 0 , , 29.3 , , .524 , , .000 , , .500 , , 5.7 , , 1.6 , , .1 , , .7 , , 7.1

EuroLeague

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Olympiacos Olympiacós Sýndesmos Filáthlon Peiraiós ( el, Ολυμπιακός Σύνδεσμος Φιλάθλων Πειραιώς, Olympic Club of Fans of Piraeus) is a major multi-sport club based in Piraeus, Greece. Olympiacos is parent to a number ...

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, 20 , , 20 , , 32.3 , , .523 , , .328 , , .647 , , 4.8 , , 1.9 , , 1.1 , , .6 , , 15.2 , , 15.3 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 36 , , 35 , , 28.7 , , .504 , , .286 , , .643 , , 4.7 , , 1.5 , , 1.1 , , .6 , , 12.4 , , 13.1

International career

In 2000, Childress earned a silver medal as a member of the 2000 USA Basketball Men's Youth Development Festival West Team. He also played at the

2003 Pan American Games The 2003 Pan American Games were held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from August 1 to 17, 2003. The successful bid for the games was made in the mid-1990s, when Dominican Republic had one of the highest growth rates in Latin America. Al ...

Personal

Childress is featured on the box cover of ''

ESPN College Hoops 2K5 ''ESPN College Hoops 2K5'' is an American college basketball video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by Sega. It is a college basketball simulation available for the Xbox and PlayStation 2. It features former Stanford forward Jos ...

'' for the PlayStation 2, published by Sega. Childress had a high school GPA of 3.5 and scored 1110 on the SAT. After being waived by the Nets, Childress enrolled back in Stanford and graduated with a degree in

sociology Sociology is a social science that focuses on society, human social behavior, patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and aspects of culture associated with everyday life. It uses various methods of empirical investigation an ...

in August 2013.