Timothy Theodore “Tim” Duncan is an American basketball coach and retired professional player who is the only player in NBA history to have been named to both the All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams in each of his first thirteen seasons. An athlete who began playing basketball in his freshman year in high school, now plays for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). As a child, he preferred swimming; his sister was an Olympic-level swimmer, and he aspired to follow in her shoes. His parents were very encouraging, and he was on his way to fulfilling his ambition when a hurricane destroyed the only swimming pool in his hometown.
Feeling let down but not discouraged, he directed his attention towards basketball, quickly mastering the game and earning numerous accolades even before completing his college education.
He was the first choice in the 1997 NBA Draft. He rose to become one of the greatest NBA players in history due to his constant performance and leadership abilities. He is most known as a power forward, although he can also play centre.
He is not just a brilliant athlete, but also a terrific human being who believes in giving back to society; he established the Tim Duncan Foundation to raise awareness and funds for education, youth sports, and health care.
Biography:
Born: April 25, 1976 in Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Birth name: Timothy Theodore Duncan
Nicknames: The Big Fundamental, Groundhog Day, Merlin
Height: 6′ 11″ (2.11 m)
Childhood & Personal Life:
He was the only son of mason William Duncan and midwife Ione. He has two sisters.
His sister, Tricia, was an Olympic swimmer, and young Tim aspired to be one as well.
Duncan’s sister inspired him to pursue a career as an Olympic swimmer. He was a young star who was preparing to compete in the 1992 Olympics until Hurricane Hugo devastated the island’s only Olympic-sized swimming pool in 1989. Duncan’s fear of sharks prevented him from swimming in the wide ocean, therefore his excitement for the sport faded. A second blow came when his mother died from breast cancer one day before his 14th birthday. His brother-in-law pushed him to try basketball instead, and he eventually became a standout on the St. Dunstan’s Episcopal High School team.
In his personal life, he wed Amy in 2001 and together they had two children. However, the couple divorced in 2013.
Tim Duncan’s NBA Journey
Tim Duncan embarked on his NBA journey in 1997 when he was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA draft of that year. He quickly rose to prominence during his early years in the league. Teaming up with David Robinson, they formed the formidable ‘Twin Towers’ duo, dominating near the basket. During the 1999-2000 season, Duncan averaged 23.2 points and 12.4 rebounds per game, followed by 22.2 points and 12.2 rebounds per game the next year. He was also honored with selections to the All-NBA and All-Defensive First Teams.
In the 2002-03 season, the Spurs moved to the SBC Center and Duncan made an immediate impact, recording 22 points and 15 rebounds in the inaugural game. His stellar performance continued in the Western Conference Semifinals against the Lakers, where he notched 37 points and 16 rebounds in Game 6. This led the Spurs to the NBA Finals, where they defeated the New Jersey Nets to claim their second championship.
In July 2003, Duncan signed a lucrative 7-year deal worth US$122 million with the Spurs. He maintained his high level of play, averaging 20 points and 10.6 rebounds per game during the 2005-06 regular season, helping the Spurs secure another NBA title. Duncan was also selected as a Western Conference starter for the 2007 NBA All-Star Game. In December 2013, he made history as the oldest player to achieve a 20-20 game, recording 23 points and 21 rebounds.
On November 14, 2014, Duncan reached the milestone of scoring his 25,000th point in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Finally, on July 11, 2016, after playing 19 seasons for the San Antonio Spurs, Tim Duncan announced his retirement from professional basketball.
Net Worth:
Tim Duncan boasts a net worth of $130 million. During his prime, he ranked among the NBA’s top earners, pocketing over $20 million annually. Throughout his career, Duncan amassed over $200 million in on-court earnings, supplemented by tens of millions from endorsements.
Awards & Honours:
- NBA Champion: 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014
- NBA Finals MVP: 1999, 2003, 2005
- NBA Most Valuable Player: 2002, 2003
- NBA All-Star: 1998, 2000-2011, 2013, 2015
- NBA All-Star Game co-MVP: 2000
- All-NBA First Team: 1998-2005, 2007, 2013
- All-NBA Second Team: 2006, 2008, 2009
- All-NBA Third Team: 2010, 2015
- NBA All-Defensive First Team: 1999-2003, 2005, 2007, 2008
- NBA All-Defensive Second Team: 1998, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2015
- NBA Rookie of the Year: 1998
- NBA All-Rookie First Team: 1998
- NBA Teammate of the Year: 2015
- USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year: 2003
- IBM Award: 2002