Marcus Camby

• Player
• Seasons: 1993-94, 1994-95, 1995-96
• Number: 21
• Position: C
• Height: 6' 11“
• Weight: 220 lbs.
• Hometown: Hartford, CT
• High School: Hartford Public HS
• Prep School: none
• Transfer From: none
• Birthdate: March 22, 1974

Camby poses with his statue at its unveiling on September 10, 2021. UMassHoops.com photo

• One of the most decorated athletes UMass has ever produced.
• Naismith National Player of the Year in 1996. (Camby has said the trophy remains at his mother's house.)¹⁾
• First unanimous first team All-American in UMass history (1996).
• Led UMass to their only NCAA Tournament Final Four appearance in 1996.
• 1996 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year.
• Atlantic 10 Player of the Week selection 9 times, at the time the highest ever.
• During each of his three seasons at UMass, the team won the A-10 Regular Season Championship and the A-10 Tournament.
• Two-time selections to A-10 First Team, and NABC All-District.
• Scored 1,387 points in three seasons (15.1 ppg average), to earn a spot on the 1000 Point Scorers list.
• First UMass player to top 100 blocks in three consecutive seasons.
• At the time, held UMass records for single-game (9), single-season (128) and career (336) blocks. (All since surpassed by Stephane Lasme.)
• 3.7 blocks per game career average finished near the top in A-10 history. (See current stats here.)
• Atlantic 10 Freshman of the Year for the 1993-94 season.
• Inducted into the UMass Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.
• Jersey retired by UMass on 1/19/2013.^{2)3)4)5)6)7)8)9)10)11)} Photo gallery
• Statue of Camby and three other UMass men's basketball legends line the Mullins Center plaza.
• Selected to ESPN's Atlantic 10 Silver Anniversary team (2004).
• Inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004.
• Named to the Atlantic 10's Legends Class of 2016¹²⁾¹³⁾
• Highest NBA Draft pick in UMass history. Selected second overall by Toronto in the 1996 NBA Draft. (Coverage when he declared for Draft)
• Short video reel
• Pictures from UMass career
• Returned to school and graduated in 2017. Majored in Urban Studies with a minor in African American studies.¹⁴⁾¹⁵⁾
• 2023: Mass. Collective interview

• Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, Naismith National Player of the Year.
• A-10 First Team selection.
• Led A-10 in scoring at 20.5 ppg.
• Sixth in A-10 in rebounding at 8.1 rpg.
• 3.9 blocks per game average
• All-Championship Team selection for the Atlantic 10 Tournament.
• Six-time honoree in the A-10's Player of the Week Honor Roll.
• Led all scorers with 25 points, blocked 6, and grabbed 8 rebounds, but the dream season ended as UMass lost 81-74 to Kentucky in the National Semi-Final (3/30). Still named to the All-Tournament team.¹⁶⁾
• Scored 22 to help UMass earn a trip to the Final Four, beating Georgetown 86-62 in the lopsided East Regional Final (3/23). Named the East Region's Most Valuable Player.
• Played just 18 minutes off the bench (missed team bus), scored 15 and rebounded 7, as UMass beat Arkansas 79-63 in the Sweet Sixteen (3/21).
• Scored 20, rebounded 8, blocked 7, to help UMass advance past Stanford, 79-74 (3/16).
• Scored 14 points, but snared 17 rebounds in just 27 minutes of action as UMass handled Central Florida, 92-70, in the NCAA Tournament First Round (3/14).
• Tallies just 12 & 6, but UMass still beats Temple, 75-61 (3/9), to secure their fifth straight Atlantic 10 Tournament title.
• Scored 19, rebounded 9, and blocked 3 to help UMass beat George Washington, 74-65 (3/8), avenging their lone loss of the regular season.
• Tallies 12 & 9 in the A-10 Tournament Quarterfinal win over St. Bonaventure, 69-56 (3/7).
• Scored 23, rebounded 8, and blocked 5 as UMass closes out their regular season at 28-1, with a 62-59 non-conference win at Louisville (3/2). Hit two foul shots with just seven seconds left to help secure the win.
• Takes a seat to start the game, as UMass honors their Seniors. Goes for 21 and 15 as UMass holds off St. Joseph's in overtime, 68-66 (2/28). Would prove to be Camby's last at the Mullins Center.
• George Washington big man Alexander Koul gives Camby trouble all night, as UM's unbeaten streak finally ends, 86-76 at the Mullins Center (2/24). Camby shoots 8-21 on the night, scoring 18, rebounding 8, and turns it over 5 times.
• Scored 25, rebounded 13, and blocked 5 as UMass holds off Rhode Island in Providence, 74-69. Camby goes 11-12 from the line in the game (2/20).
• Scored 31 points (14-22 FGs), rebounded 10, and blocked 5 as UMass beats A-10 newcomer Virginia Tech, 74-58 (2/17).
• Tallies 26 & 15 as UMass handles La Salle, 70-53 in Amherst (2/15).
• Temple's defense keeps Camby in check, holding him to just 10 & 7, but teammates pick up the slack as UMass dominates Temple, 84-55 in Amherst (2/11).
• Snares just 3 rebounds, but scores 26 points as UMass wins an alternate-site home game for Fordham, 73-47 at Madison Square Garden (2/6).
• Scored 26, rebounded 11, and blocked 5 to help UMass win in overtime at Xavier, 78-74 (2/4).
• Blocked a career-high 9 shots as UMass holds host Temple to just 35 points. UMass prevails 59-35 (2/1). Camby scored 15 and rebounded 5. 35 points were Temple's lowest in their 26+ years at McGonigle Hall.
• Scored 24 points in just 24 minutes of work as UMass easily beats A-10 newcomer Fordham, 80-50 at the Mullins Center (1/30).
• Returns to action with 26 minutes, 19 points, 7 rebounds, and a career-high 9 blocks, as UMass beats St. Bonaventure 72-47 (1/27).
• While sitting out, UMass still goes 4-0, with wins at St. Bonaventure (1/14), 77-71 at home versus Rhode Island (1/17), 93-89 at Duquesne (1/20), and a 79-71 overtime win at Pittsburgh (1/23).
• Camby collapses prior to the start of the game at St. Bonaventure (1/14). Coach John Calipari accompanies Camby to a local hospital, and assistant Bruiser Flint takes over for the game. Even without their star player and coach, UMass still prevails, 65-52.
• Scored 34 points (13-24 FG, 8-13 FT) to help UMass win in overtime at St. Joseph's, 94-89 (1/10).
• Gave an unfriendly “welcome to the A-10” to Dayton by scoring 38 points (career high) and rebounding 11, as UMass prevails 78-58 (1/6).
• Scored 23 and rebounded 7 as UMass defeated Memphis, 64-61, at the Worcester Centrum (1/4).
• Recovering from the bruised knee from the USC game, Camby comes off the bench, but still goes for 20 and 11 to help UMass win 65-47 over Syracuse in the Rainbow Classic final (12/30).
• Suffers a knee injury just two minutes into the game versus USC (12/29). Scores 2 points in the limited action, but UMass still goes on to win, 78-63.
• Tallies 19 & 8 in the 78-67 win over NC State in the Rainbow Classic (12/28).
• Tallies 18 & 9 in the 75-67 win over Georgia Tech (12/22).
• Pulled a groin muscle and sat out the second half versus UNC-Wilmington (12/12). UMass still won 77-51. Camby finished with 6 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
• Tallies 19 & 7 in the Commonwealth Classic win over Boston College, 65-67 (12/9).
• Squared off against Tim Duncan in a prime-time matchup on ESPN. Camby finished with 17 & 9 to Duncan's 9 & 12. UMass went on to win 60-46 (12/6).
• Off to a great start with 32 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 blocks in the win over #1 Kentucky (11/28).

Source: Atlantic 10 Media Guide

• Associated Press
• United Press International
• Oscar Robertson Trophy (U.S. Basketball Writers Assoc.)
• John R. Wooden Award (Los Angeles Athletic Club)
• Naismith Award (Atlanta Tip-Off Club)
• Adolph Rupp Trophy (Commonwealth Athletic Club of Kentucky)
• Basketball Times
• Sporting News
• National Association of Basketball Coaches
• CBS/Chevrolet

Source: Atlantic 10 Media Guide

• Associated Press
• U.S. Basketball Writers Association
• John R. Wooden Award
• Basketball Times
• United Press International
• National Association of Basketball Coaches
• Basketball Weekly

• Averaged 13.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.4 blocks per game.
• 8th in the country in blocked shots (103).
• A-10 First Team selection.
• Ninth in A-10 in rebounding at 6.2 rpg.
• Named to the A-10 Tournament's All-Championship.
• Named A-10 Player of the Week three times.

• Averaged 10.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game.
• 105 blocks in the season set a new A-10 record for blocks by a freshman.
• A-10 Third Team selection.
• A-10 Freshman of the Year and Newcomer of the Year.¹⁷⁾
• A-10 Freshman Team selection.
• Five-time honoree in the A-10's Rookie of the Week Honor Roll.

Game high in points: 38 vs Dayton (1/6/96)
Game high in rebounds: 17 vs Central Florida (3/14/96)

Realizing Camby's earning potential in professional basketball, sports agents began dealing with Camby during his time at UMass. The NCAA later determined that Camby accepted agents' gifts in violation of rules, and vacated the Minutemen's 1996 NCAA Tournament appearance.

• 1/29/2001: Spears reprimanded
• 2/17/1999: Would-be agent says he bought right to represent Camby
• 9/15/1997: Sports Illustrated publishes their "Tangled Web" article, detailing Camby's involvement with agents.
• 5/8/1997: The NCAA Executive Committee voted to negate the Minutemen's 1996 NCAA Tournament record, for Marcus Camby's acceptance of agents' improper gifts. The 35-2 record was reduced to 31-1, and the UMass slot in the Final Four is officially marked as “vacated.” The Final Four trophy, banner and 45% of tournament revenue were returned to the NCAA. Camby later reimbursed the school for the $151,617 in lost revenue.
• 12/18/1996: A Connecticut judge grants a request for an arrest warrant for Wesley Spears, which charges him with extortion and promoting prostitution.

In a 2020 interview with the Hartford Courant, Camby said: “I was a poor kid who grew up in the inner city and made bad choices. I’m not the first and I wasn’t the last. But I take it. I own it. And I was able to persevere.”¹⁸⁾
2024 column: It’s time for NCAA to restore UMass’ Final Four, Marcus Camby’s good name

• Settled in Houston after his NBA career. Has business interests in real estate and owns a barbershop and a landscaping company.¹⁹⁾
• January 2022: Partnered with Springfield's White Lion Brewing to create the Marcus Camby New England IPA, which is also available in cans at the Mullins Center.²⁰⁾
• December 2023: Camby and The Massachusetts Collective hold Frank Martin podcast event at White Lion Brewing

• Played 17 seasons, in 973 games. Averaged 9.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game.
• Led the league in blocks four times.²¹⁾
• Three of those times were in consecutive seasons (2005-08), marking only the second time in NBA history that a player accomplished that feat.²²⁾
• Defensive Player of the Year in 2006-07.²³⁾
• Four-time selection to the All-Defensive Team.²⁴⁾
• Stats and more on Basketball Reference
• Video highlights: 3:02, 0:49, Top defensive plays, Block mix, super fast look at his career

Camby is in unique company in NBA stats, as he is one of only five players to have games with 20+ rebounds but zero points.²⁵⁾ Camby had two of those nights. Dennis Rodman had seven.²⁶⁾

Source: Stathead.com²⁷⁾

• 2013 pre-season: Signed with HOU, but was waived before the season opener.²⁸⁾²⁹⁾
• 7/10/13: Traded from NYK to TOR, but contract was bought out shortly after, making him a free agent.³⁰⁾³¹⁾
• 7/11/12: Traded from HOU to NYK.³²⁾ Played in only 24 games with NYK in the 2012-13 season.
• 3/15/12: Trade deadline move from POR to HOU³³⁾

• 2/16/10: LAC and POR agree to trade Camby and others.³⁴⁾³⁵⁾ The move reunites Camby and Bill Bayno.

• In his 1½ seasons with LAC, Basketball-Reference.com rated Camby as their highest Win Share generator.³⁶⁾
• Traded from Denver to LAC in the 2008 off-season.³⁷⁾ Camby felt “blindsided, distraught, disrespected” by the trade.

• Nuggets had missed the playoffs for seven straight seasons prior to Camby's arrival. After a rebuild season in 2002-03, they made the playoffs in each of Camby's last five seasons with the team.
• 2007-08: First in the NBA in rebounds per 48 minutes (18.0).³⁸⁾
• 2006-07: Camby won the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year Award. He also had the Nuggets' highest Win Share generator during the regular season, according to Basketball-Reference.com.³⁹⁾
• 2002-03: Appeared in just 29 games after hip surgery. Agent accuses the Knicks of mis-managing the injury.
• Traded to Denver on 2002 Draft Day

• 2/1/02: Takes a fall and misses the rest of the season on injured reserve.
• Playoffs 2001: Camby's family is briefly taken hostage, it takes a toll on him, and the Knicks lose their first round series to Toronto.
• 3/2/01: Celtics No Match For Camby At His Best
• 1/15/01: Camby and the Spurs' Danny Ferry get into a scrap, and in trying to retaliate, Camby accidentally injures his own coach. Content: Video, ESPN, Collegian, Camby apology.
• 11/10/99: It's Time to Ponder a Camby Era
• 3/11/99: Racks up 19 points and 12 rebounds the same day as he receives a 6-year, $30 million contract from the Knicks. Audio from ESPN's Rich Eisen.
• 3/4/99: Camby gets a DNP during a critical game versus Miami
• 12/16/98: Springfield Union-News - Springfield kids get a read from Camby
• 11/2/98: New York Times - Camby's Troubling Ties That Bind
• 8/18/98: Camby appears on ESPN's Up Close. Transcript
• 6/25/98: Traded from TOR to NYK for Charles Oakley plus other considerations.

• Key part of the Knicks run from the 8th seed in the East to the NBA Finals. Camby's intro to the MSG crowd during the finals.
• Numbers got better with each Eastern series: 7.4 points / 5.2 rebounds vs Miami, 9.0 points / 6.0 rebounds vs Atlanta, 14.3 points / 10.7 points vs Indiana.
• Ran into Tim Duncan, David Robinson, and the Spurs in the Finals, and the Knicks lost 4-1. Camby averaged 9.6 points / 7.8 rebounds in the Finals.
• June 21: Camby flushes a follow up. Video, Audio
• June 16: Profile during halftime of Finals Game 1.
• June 11: Camby and Knicks eliminate Indiana to reach The Finals.
• June 5: Camby steps up with Patrick Ewing out, recording 21 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks in 33 minutes. Marcus proves it 'Camby' done
• June 3: Chat with fans on NBA.com

• Led the NBA in blocks per game (3.65) in 1997-98. Also averaged 12.1 points and 7.4 rebounds.
• NBA All-Rookie team in 1996-97.
• Finished 10th in the NBA in 1996-97 in blocks per game (2.06). Also scored 14.8 points per game, which would stand as his high mark for an NBA season. Averaged 6.3 rebounds.
• NBA Rookie of the Month in March 1997, averaging 21.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game
• Makes his debut on 11/1/96 in a home game vs the NY Knicks, logging 15 minutes of time off the bench, 5 points, 4 rebounds, but fouling out. Video of his first sequence.
• Selected #2 in the 1996 NBA Draft, behind Allen Iverson (Philadelphia). Raptors GM Isiah Thomas on selecting the slender Camby.

• Averaged 27 points, 11 rebounds, 8 blocks and 8 assists in his senior season at Hartford Public High School en route to a 27-0 record and state title. Public inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 2016.⁴⁰⁾
• Named as a Parade Magazine fourth-team All-American.
• UMass assistant coach Bill Bayno started recruiting Camby in his high school freshman year, and their early interest in him went a long way in his decision to commit.⁴¹⁾⁴²⁾
• Chose UMass over UConn, as the Huskies recruited him late in the process, and Camby felt like he wouldn't get much opportunity to play behind Donyell Marshall.⁴³⁾
• Video clip of Dick Vitale touting Camby's potential.

• Wikipedia - Marcus Camby
• Sports Reference (College) - Marcus Camby
• Twitter - Marcus Camby
• Cameo - Marcus Camby
• A-10 Vault interview with Camby (Sept 2022)