Kiwane Lemorris Garris[1] (born September 24, 1974[2]) is an American former professional basketball player. He was listed as a 6'2" (1.88 m), 183 lb (83 kg) point guard.

Kiwane Garris
Personal information
Born (1974-09-24) September 24, 1974 (age 49)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight183 lb (83 kg)
Career information
High schoolWestinghouse (Chicago, Illinois)
CollegeIllinois (1993–1997)
NBA draft1997: undrafted
Playing career1997–2010
PositionPoint guard
Number1
Career history
1997Grand Rapids Hoops
1997–1998Denver Nuggets
1998–1999Alba Berlin
1999TuS Lichterfelde
1999Grand Rapids Hoops
1999–2000Orlando Magic
2000Grand Rapids Hoops
2000Trotamundos de Carabobo
2000Beşiktaş
2000–2001Gary Steelheads
2001New Mexico Slam
2001Évreux
2001–2002Virtus Ragusa
2002Spójnia Stargard Szczeciński
2002–2003Robur Osimo
2003–2005Reggiana
2005–2006Fortitudo Bologna
2006–2007Olimpia Milano
2007–2009Sutor Montegranaro
2009–2010Reyer Venezia
Career highlights and awards
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Representing  United States
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1998 Greece National team

Garris played college basketball at the University of Illinois, where his position was point guard. As a freshman in the 1993–94 season, Garris finished second on the Fighting Illini in scoring, behind Deon Thomas. In the next three seasons, Garris led the team in scoring and free-throw percentage. Garris also led the team in assists in the 1994–95 and 1996–97 seasons. Garris finished his career at Illinois as the second all-time leading scorer, behind former teammate Deon Thomas. Garris finished with 1948 career points, with a career scoring average of 16.8 points per game.

During the NBA lockout he played for the US national team in the 1998 FIBA World Championship, winning the bronze medal.[3]

Career edit

Although Garris was projected to be a late first round or early second round pick in the NBA Draft, he went undrafted, but signed as a free-agent with the Denver Nuggets. He had been signed for a brief period by Los Angeles Clippers during their 1997 preseason but was waived. For the 1997-1998's 28 games he did 8MPG, 2.4 PPG. Playing for the Orlando Magic during 1999–2000, 3 games, 7.7 MPG, 1.3 PPG. In 2002, he was signed by the Sacramento Kings (2002 preseason), but was again waived before the regular season. He has also played with the Grand Rapids Hoops of the CBA and for Alba Berlin in Germany.[4]

Italian League edit

For nine years he played overseas for the Italian teams Banca Popolare Ragusa (Serie A2, 2001–2002), Porte Garofoli Osimo (Serie A2, 2002–2003), Bipop-Carire Reggio Emilia (Serie A2, 2003–2004, Serie A, 2004–2005), Climamio Bologna (2005–2006) (reached the Italian championship final and won Italian Supercup) and Armani Jeans Milano (2006–2007). After playing overseas in Italy for nine years from 2001 to 2010, Garris returned home.

Coaching career edit

He is a former assistant coach at Prairie State College[5][6] and at Mountain View High School in Lawrenceville, GA.[7] He hopes to become one of the assistant coaches at the University of Illinois.[8] Currently he is the coach of the Fulton Science Academy Private School varsity basketball team.[9]

Personal edit

Garris has son Kai from a previous relationship.[10]

In July 2006 he became engaged to R&B and soul singer-songwriter Syleena Johnson.[11] Johnson is a fellow Chicagoan. On August 1, 2007[12] after forty-four hours of labor, their son Kiwane Garris Jr was born.[10] On Sunday, February 6, 2011, she gave birth to their second son, Kingston Garris[13][14] He weighed 8 lb 5oz.[15]

He said Italy is "his home away from home".[8]

References edit

  1. ^ "Fiche de Kiwane Lemorris Garris". lequipe.fr (in French). Archived from the original on November 5, 2015. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  2. ^ ESPN player profile
  3. ^ 1998 USA Basketball Archived September 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "Alba Berlin club history". Albaberlin.de. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012.
  5. ^ http://prairiestate.edu/athletics/mbasketball/coach.html#kiwane Asst Coach Kiwane Garris
  6. ^ http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kiwane-garris/22/266/548 Kiwane Garris
  7. ^ "Coaches".
  8. ^ a b "Talking with Kiwane Garris; he played in Italy for ten years". Basketinside.com.
  9. ^ "Instagram post by Kiwane Garris • Nov 9, 2017 at 12:50am UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  10. ^ a b http://www.blackcelebkids.com/2008/08/19/syleena-johnsons-labor-pains/ Archived March 18, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Kiwane Garris Jr
  11. ^ http://ghettofabu.blogspot.com/2006/07/syleena-johnson-engagedboris-kodjoe.html Syleena Johnson Engaged..Nicole Ari/Boris Kodjoe pregnant again
  12. ^ Johnson gives birth after 44 hours of labour to first son[permanent dead link]
  13. ^ https://twitter.com/Syleena_Johnson/status/34398261884227584 Kingston Is Here
  14. ^ https://www.instagram.com/p/BQK63wVF4UW 6 Years Ago today 6 years ago today, on Super Bowl Sunday I gave birth to this little monster! 13 hours of pushing to result in an emergency C-section. He just didn't wanna come out! That same attachment he had to me I have to him and always will! Happy birthday my Kingston ! Mommy loves you forever
  15. ^ https://twitter.com/Syleena_Johnson/status/34370671597326336 Kingston Weighed...

External links edit