Latrell Sprewell Biography

Latrell Sprewell was born on September 8, 1970, and played 13 seasons in the NBA for the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Minnesota Timberwolves. Sprewell earned four NBA All-Star selections, an All-NBA First Team honor, and an NBA All-Defensive Second Team nod during his career. A 1997 incident in which he choked and punched coach P. J. Carlesimo led to a 68-game suspension that marked a turning point in his professional life. Sprewell played at Three Rivers Community College from 1988 to 1990 and later at Alabama from 1990 to 1992, where he played alongside future NBA players. He made an immediate impact in his rookie season, starting 69 of 77 games and averaging 15.4 points per game. During a practice altercation, Sprewell told coach Carlesimo to keep his distance after being criticized for pass quality. After the NBA lockout, Sprewell returned to play in February 1999, following a trade from the Warriors to the New York Knicks for John Starks, Chris Mills, and Terry Cummings.