Birthplace: Oakland, CA
Height: 6'10"
NBA Seasons: 14
Drew Gooden will be returning for a second season as co-captain of 3’s Company. The talented big man was a consistent rebounder for his team and was one of the most dangerous players in the league behind the three-point line last season. He ranked fifth-best among all players in 3-pointers made, with 11.
In his first season with 3’s Company, Gooden showed tremendous growth in his versatility and was one of the most efficient players from behind-the-arc, shooting 42.8% from three. Gooden helped 3’s Company to their first Finals berth and was key to their success in the paint.
Known as a savvy, hard-working post player, he played 14 seasons in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards.
The Oakland native attended the University of Kansas, where as a junior he led the country in rebounding and helped the team to its first conference championship since 1998. Kansas made it to the 2002 Final Four, before losing to Maryland, the eventual national champion, in the semifinal. Gooden’s performance that season earned him Big 12 Player of the Year, National Association of Basketball Coaches Co-Player of the Year, and first-team All-American honors. He entered the NBA draft later that year and was selected No. 4 overall by the Grizzlies. Gooden went on to earn first-team NBA All-Rookie honors. In 2006-07, he started a career-high 80 games and helped the Cavaliers win their first Eastern Conference title in franchise history. Over his NBA career, Gooden averaged 11.0 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.
Upon his NBA retirement, Gooden returned to the University of Kansas and graduated in 2017 with a degree in communications. Gooden then went on to be a game analyst for NBC Sports Washington, doing live coverage for the Wizards.