Kwame Hasani Brown (born March 10, 1982) 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 Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appro ...

player who spent 12 seasons in the

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

(NBA). Selected first overall by 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 Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference. The team plays i ...

in the

2001 NBA draft The 2001 NBA draft took place on June 27, 2001, in New York City, New York. Kwame Brown became the first high school player to be drafted with the first overall pick in the history of the NBA. The selection of Kwame Brown by the Washington Wizar ...

, Brown was the first player to be drafted number one overall straight out of high school. He later played for the

Los Angeles Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Lakers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Conference (NBA ...

Memphis Grizzlies The Memphis Grizzlies (referred to locally as the Grizz) are an American professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. The Grizzlies compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division of the ...

Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), East ...

, Charlotte Bobcats,

Golden State Warriors The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in San Francisco. The Warriors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. Founded in 1946 i ...

, and

Philadelphia 76ers The Philadelphia 76ers, also known colloquially as the Sixers, are an American professional basketball team based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The 76ers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlan ...

. His performance as a first overall draft pick has led many analysts to label him as one of the biggest busts in NBA history.

High school

Brown was consistently rated as the "best high school player" in his class, which also included high school standouts Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler. He was the high school player of the year as a senior in

Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the South Caucasus * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the southeastern United States Georgia may also refer to: People and fictional characters * Georgia (name), a list of pe ...

. Brown finished his high school career at the historic Glynn Academy (in

Brunswick, Georgia Brunswick ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Glynn County, Georgia, Glynn County in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. As the primary urban and economic center of the lower southeast portion of Georgia, it is the second-larges ...

) as the school's all-time leading rebounder (1,235) and shot-blocker (605), and also finished second all-time as a scorer (1,539 points). He was named to the 2001 McDonald's All-American Team. Brown's senior averages were 20.1 points, 13.3 rebounds, 5.8 blocks, 3 assists and 2 steals per game. While Brown was a senior, Glynn Academy produced a 24–7 record and reached the GHSA semifinals.

Professional career

Washington Wizards (2001–2005)

Originally signing a letter of intent to play for the

University of Florida The University of Florida (Florida or UF) is a public university, public land-grant university, land-grant research university in Gainesville, Florida, United States. It is a senior member of the State University System of Florida and a preem ...

, he later declared for the

. The

, under team president

Michael Jordan Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963), also known by his initials MJ, is an American businessman and former professional basketball player, who is currently a minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Ass ...

, used their first overall pick on him. Following a pre-draft workout with the Wizards, it has been reported that Brown told then-Wizards coach Doug Collins, "If you draft me, you'll never regret it." Perhaps as a result of hype and high expectations, Brown's rookie season was marred by a lack of maturity and production on the court. In his rookie year, Brown averaged 4.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. However, the Wizards believed in Brown's potential. In his second season as a professional, Brown saw more action in the league. He started 20 out of the 80 games he played and the total minutes he played doubled. Brown improved his numbers, posting averages of 7.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. In his third season, Brown continued to improve, posting career highs in both points (10.9) and rebounds (7.4). In a game against the

Sacramento Kings The Sacramento Kings are an American professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California. The Kings compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Confere ...

, he registered 30 points and 19 rebounds. After his first three years in Washington, Brown rejected a five-year, $30 million contract offer, electing instead to test the free agent market when his contract expired after the season. In his fourth season, Brown was limited to 42 games due to injuries. His highest-scoring game of the season was 19 points, compared to his season-high of 30 the year before, and he averaged 7.0 points per game. Late in the season, criticism increased; he feuded with Gilbert Arenas, other teammates, and his coach Eddie Jordan.

Los Angeles Lakers (2005–2008)

On August 2, 2005, Brown and

Laron Profit Bronta Laron Profit (born August 5, 1977) is an American professional basketball coach and former professional basketball player. Early life and college Profit was born in Charleston, South Carolina. Because his stepfather James Truiett served ...

were traded to the Lakers in exchange for Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins. This move was met with some controversy from fans who disliked Brown's reputation and his label as an "under-achiever." In the beginning of the season, he averaged just above 6 points and 6 rebounds. On December 26, 2005, he played his first game at the Washington Wizards' MCI Center (now known as Capital One Arena) as a Laker. The sold-out crowd of 20,173 fans loudly booed him upon entering the game and whenever he touched the ball. In the second quarter, Brown was looking the other way when teammate Sasha Vujačić threw a pass his way. The ball bounced off his head and landed out of bounds, which was met with loud cheers from the crowd. Brown called the reception "weak" and stated that "they should be cheering that I'm gone." The Wizards won the game 94–91. When Lakers center Chris Mihm went down with a season-ending ankle injury on March 12, 2006, Brown took over the starting center position. During his stint as a center, he raised his averages from 6.1 points and 6.3 rebounds to 12.3 points and 9.1 rebounds and started every game for the Lakers in the playoffs. Brown became a central part of the Lakers seven-game series with the

Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Conference (NBA), We ...

. Although they ended up losing the series, it had appeared that Kwame Brown's potential was beginning to show. The surprising consistency Brown showed while playing center prompted Phil Jackson to make Brown the starting center in the 2006–07 season. Brown was injured at the beginning of the season and Mihm was also out with injury for the whole season, so the starting job at center was given to the young Andrew Bynum. After playing the majority of the minutes at center despite the bench role, he was given the starting job in early December. Brown again became injured in the 2007–08 season which allowed Bynum to start again at the center position where he flourished. However, when Bynum suffered a knee injury that appeared to jeopardize the Lakers' playoff chances, Brown regained his starting position.

Memphis Grizzlies (2008)

On February 1, 2008, Brown was traded along with Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, the draft rights to

Marc Gasol Marc Gasol Sáez (, ; born 29 January 1985) is a Spanish former professional basketball player who is the president of Bàsquet Girona of the Liga ACB. The Center (basketball), center is a two-time All-NBA Team member and a three-time NBA All-St ...

, and the Lakers'

2008 2008 was designated as: *International Year of Languages *International Year of Planet Earth *International Year of the Potato *International Year of Sanitation The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued throu ...

and

2010 The year saw a multitude of natural and environmental disasters such as the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and the 2010 Chile earthquake. The 2009 swine flu pandemic, swine flu pandemic which began the previous year ...

first-round draft picks for Pau Gasol and a second-round pick in 2010. On July 1, 2008, the Memphis Grizzlies chose not to sign Brown to a new contract, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Detroit Pistons (2008–2010)

On July 28, 2008, ESPN.com reported that the

Pistons A piston is an engineering component of engines and pumps. Piston(s) may also refer to: Science and technology * Misnomer for a hydraulic cylinder * Piston (optics) * Piston (subcellular structure) * Piston valve * Fire piston, an ancient device ...

signed Brown to a two-year deal worth $8 million, with the second year a player option.

Charlotte Bobcats (2010–2011)

On August 23, 2010, Brown signed a one-year deal with the Bobcats.

Golden State Warriors (2011–2012)

On December 14, 2011, Brown signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the

Warriors A warrior is a guardian specializing in combat or warfare, especially within the context of a tribal or clan-based warrior culture society that recognizes a separate warrior aristocracy, class, or caste. History Warriors seem to have been p ...

Philadelphia 76ers (2012–2013)

On March 13, 2012, Brown, along with Monta Ellis and Ekpe Udoh, was traded to the

Milwaukee Bucks The Milwaukee Bucks are an American professional basketball team based in Milwaukee. The Bucks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), East ...

in exchange for Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson. Brown never played for the Bucks during the season. On July 20, 2012, Brown signed a two-year contract for nearly $6 million with the

. After sustaining a right hamstring strain in September 2013, Brown was waived by the 76ers on November 20 before appearing in a game for them in the 2013–14 season.

Post-NBA career

In 2017, Brown was the fifth overall pick in the inaugural draft of the

BIG3 Big3 (stylized BIG3) is a 3x3 basketball, 3-on-3 basketball league founded by the hip-hop musician and actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz. The league consists of 12 teams whose rosters include both former National Basketb ...

basketball league. In BIG3 Brown played for the 3 Headed Monsters, who made it to the finals and ended up losing to Trilogy 51–46. In 2021, Brown created numerous YouTube videos critiquing the assertion that he was a 'bust" as a first round draft pick, claiming that mainstream U.S. sports media unfairly targeted him for over twenty years, as well as negatively depicting black men, in general. The videos were created in response to negative comments about Brown's career from former NBA players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on a May 2021 episode of their podcast ''All the Smoke.'' Brown's response has led to a significant increase of social media attention, especially via YouTube and Instagram.

Personal life

Brown's cousin Jabari Smith also played in the NBA. Smith's son, Jabari Smith Jr., also became an NBA player. In 2002, Brown's hometown girlfriend, Joselyn Vaughn, moved into his Virginia home. Together they had three daughters. In 2019, Brown sued for custody of the children.

Legal issues

In August 2003, Brown was arrested and charged with

driving while intoxicated Driving under the influence (DUI) is the crime of driving, operating, or being in control of a vehicle while one is impaired from doing so safely by the effect of either alcohol (see drunk driving) or some other drug, whether recreational or ...

near his hometown of Brunswick. In October 2007, Brown was arrested in Georgia and charged with disorderly conduct and interference with a law enforcement officer after an incident in which the driver of a car in which he was a passenger was arrested for driving drunk with a suspended license. Brown was arrested on March 31, 2019, by Georgia police and charged with felony possession of edible marijuana products and misdemeanor possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.

NBA career statistics

Regular season

, - , align="left" , , align="left" , Washington , 57 , , 3 , , 14.3 , , .387 , , .000 , , .707 , , 3.5 , , .8 , , .3 , , .5 , , 4.5 , - , align="left" , , align="left" , Washington , 80 , , 20 , , 22.2 , , .446 , , .000 , , .668 , , 5.3 , , .7 , , .6 , , 1.0 , , 7.4 , - , align="left" , , align="left" , Washington , 74 , , 57 , , 30.3 , , .489 , , .500 , , .683 , , 7.4 , , 1.5 , , .9 , , .7 , , 10.9 , - , align="left" , , align="left" , Washington , 42 , , 14 , , 21.6 , , .460 , , .000 , , .574 , , 4.9 , , .9 , , .6 , , .4 , , 7.0 , - , align="left" , , align="left" , L.A. Lakers , 72 , , 49 , , 27.5 , , .526 , , .000 , , .545 , , 6.6 , , 1.0 , , .4 , , .6 , , 7.4 , - , align="left" , , align="left" , L.A. Lakers , 41 , , 28 , , 27.6 , , .591 , , .000 , , .440 , , 6.0 , , 1.8 , , 1.0 , , 1.2 , , 8.4 , - , align="left" , , align="left" , L.A. Lakers , 23 , , 14 , , 22.1 , , .515 , , .000 , , .406 , , 5.7 , , 1.2 , , .7 , , .8 , , 5.7 , - , align="left" , , align="left" , Memphis , 15 , , 1 , , 13.6 , , .487 , , .000 , , .412 , , 3.8 , , 1.1 , , .4 , , .3 , , 3.5 , - , align="left" , , align="left" ,

Detroit Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...

, 58 , , 30 , , 17.2 , , .533 , , .000 , , .516 , , 5.0 , , .6 , , .4 , , .4 , , 4.2 , - , align="left" , , align="left" ,

, 48 , , 1 , , 13.8 , , .500 , , .000 , , .337 , , 3.7 , , .5 , , .3 , , .3 , , 3.3 , - , align="left" , , align="left" , Charlotte , 66 , , 50 , , 26.0 , , .517 , , .000 , , .589 , , 6.8 , , .7 , , .4 , , .6 , , 7.9 , - , align="left" , , align="left" , Golden State , 9 , , 3 , , 20.8 , , .525 , , .000 , , .441 , , 6.3 , , .4 , , .9 , , .0 , , 6.3 , - , align="left" , , align="left" ,

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

, 22 , , 11 , , 12.2 , , .459 , , .000 , , .368 , , 3.4 , , .4 , , .3 , , .5 , , 1.9 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 607 , , 281 , , 22.1 , , .492 , , .111 , , .570 , , 5.5 , , .9 , , .5 , , .6 , , 6.6

Playoffs

, - , align="left" ,

2005 2005 was designated as the International Year for Sport and Physical Education and the International Year of Microcredit. The beginning of 2005 also marked the end of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, Internationa ...

, align="left" , Washington , 3 , , 0 , , 20.0 , , .385 , , .000 , , .556 , , 5.0 , , 1.0 , , .0 , , .7 , , 5.0 , - , align="left" ,

2006 2006 was designated as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification. Events January * January 1– 4 – Russia temporarily cuts shipment of natural gas to Ukraine during a price dispute. * January 12 – A stampede during t ...

, align="left" , L.A. Lakers , 7 , , 7 , , 32.1 , , .523 , , .000 , , .710 , , 6.6 , , 1.0 , , .3 , , .9 , , 12.9 , - , align="left" ,

2007 2007 was designated as the International Heliophysical Year and the International Polar Year. Events January * January 1 **Bulgaria and Romania 2007 enlargement of the European Union, join the European Union, while Slovenia joins the Eur ...

, align="left" , L.A. Lakers , 5 , , 5 , , 26.6 , , .528 , , .000 , , .556 , , 5.6 , , .2 , , .2 , , .8 , , 8.6 , - , align="left" ,

2009 2009 was designated as the International Year of Astronomy by the United Nations to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei's first known astronomical studies with a telescope and the publication of Astronomia Nova by Joha ...

, align="left" ,

, 3 , , 0 , , 16.0 , , .375 , , .000 , , .750 , , 5.0 , , .0 , , .0 , , 1.0 , , 3.0 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 18 , , 12 , , 25.9 , , .500 , , .000 , , .660 , , 5.8 , , .6 , , .2 , , .8 , , 8.7

References

External links

NBA.com player profile

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Brown, Kwame 1982 births Living people 20th-century African-American sportsmen 20th-century American sportsmen 21st-century African-American sportsmen 21st-century American sportsmen American media critics American men's 3x3 basketball players American men's basketball players Basketball players from Charleston, South Carolina Basketball players from Georgia (U.S. state) Big3 players Centers (basketball) Commentary YouTubers Detroit Pistons players First overall NBA draft picks Golden State Warriors players Los Angeles Lakers players McDonald's High School All-Americans Memphis Grizzlies players NBA high school draftees Parade High School All-Americans (boys' basketball) Power forwards Sportspeople from Brunswick, Georgia Washington Wizards draft picks Washington Wizards players YouTubers from South Carolina