J. R. Giddens

Infobox NBA Player
name = J. R. Giddens
profile = jr_giddens
nickname =

---

caption =
nationality = USA
position = Shooting guard
height_ft = 6
height_in = 5
weight_lb = 215
league = NBA
team = Boston Celtics
number = 4
birth_date = birth date and age|1985|2|13
birth_place = Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
highschool = John Marshall High School
(Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
college = Kansas,
New Mexico
draft = 30th overall
draft_year = 2008
draft_team = Boston Celtics
career_start = 2008
awards =

Justin Ray Giddens (born February 13, 1985 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), commonly referred to as J. R. Giddens, is an American professional basketball player. The height|ft=6|in=5|wiki=yes, convert|215|lb|kg st|abbr=on|lk=on shooting guard was selected out of the University of New Mexico by the Boston Celtics with the 30th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. He initially played for the University of Kansas, but transferred following his sophomore season, and was forced to sit out as a redshirted junior due to NCAA transfer rules.

College

Giddens accepted a scholarship offer from Kansas from then head coach Roy Williams. After Williams left, Giddens was persuaded to stay by Williams' replacement Bill Self. In his first year at Kansas, Giddens earned All-Big 12 Conference Freshman honors while averaging 11 points per game. However, he left Kansas after the stabbing incident in May 2005 on a mutual agreement with Self, [Mark Murphy, [http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view/2008_06_26_Bulls_take_Rose_with_No__1_pick_in_NBA_draft/srvc=celt&position=4 Celtics select J.R. Giddens with 30th pick in NBA draft] , "Boston Herald", June 27, 2008.] often being criticized by the national media, and transferred to New Mexico for a fresh start. After sitting out a year due to NCAA regulations, he was suspended indefinitely from the team in late February for not being a good teammate. In his senior season, he was named "Mountain West Conference Co-Player of the Year" and Honorable Mention All-American following career highs in points (16.3 per game) and rebounds (8.8 per game).

NBA

On June 26, 2008, Giddens was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 30th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. He had worked out with the Celtics for three days, and received praises from head coach Doc Rivers, [Steve Bulpett, [http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view/2008_06_27_For_Celts__future_is_now:_Giddens_pick_nice_present_for_Doc/srvc=celt&position=6 For Celts, future is now] , "Boston Herald", June 27, 2008.] who thought he could fight for minutes on the team right away. [Julian Benbow, [http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/06/27/taking_a_shot_with_jr/ Taking a shot with J.R.] , "The Boston Globe", June 27, 2008.] He was even mentioned as a possible replacement for restricted free agent Tony Allen. [Steve Bulpett, [http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view/2008_06_28_Celts_drafting_offseason_plan/srvc=celt&position=3 Celts drafting offseason plan] , "Boston Herald", June 28, 2008.] Giddens was already familiar with Leon Powe and Kendrick Perkins, who were his teammates at the 2003 McDonald's All-American Game. But on behalf of his agent Aaron Mintz, Giddens declined to work out at the Celtics' minicamp in early July, because he had not signed a contract yet. [Monique Walker, [http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/07/03/this_year_davis_not_one_of_the_babies_in_camp/?page=2 This year, Davis not one of the babies in camp] , "The Boston Globe", July 3, 2008.] [Scott Souza, [http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/x875596005/Celtics-Giddens-a-no-show-at-mini-camp Celtics: Giddens a no-show at mini-camp] , "The MetroWest Daily News", July 2, 2008.]

tabbing incident

On May 19, 2005, Giddens was stabbed in his right calf in a bar fight, requiring 30 stitches. [http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/J.R.-Giddens-74/ DraftExpress.com NBA Draft Prospect Profile: J.R. Giddens] ]

Personal

*Majored in University studies.
*Cleared height|ft=6|in=10|wiki=yes as a high jumper in high school.
*His parents are Charles and Dianna, and he has two sisters, Breeanna and Portia.
*Lists Steve Urkel and Mr. Rogers as his favorite television characters.
*Has several tattoos, including his first initial "J" on his left tricep and his last initial "G" on his right tricep, and the Bible verse Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" - on his right shoulder. [Jeremy Fowler, [http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/feb/10/mens-basketball-lobo-jr-giddens-seeks-rise-above-l/ Men's basketball: Lobo J.R. Giddens seeks to rise above the labels] , "The Alburquerque Tribune", Ferbuary 10, 2007.]

References

External links

* [http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/J.R.-Giddens-74/ J. R. Giddens Player Info] @ DraftExpress.com
* [http://golobos.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/giddens_jr00.html J. R. Giddens – New Mexico Player Bio]
* [http://www.nba.com/draft2008/profiles/J.R.Giddens.html J. R. Giddens Draft 2008 Profile] @ NBA.com
* [http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/07/09/trying_to_get_past_his_past/?page=1 Trying to get past his past] – The Boston Globe