Andre Iguodala

Andre Iguodala

Philadelphia 76ers  – No. 9
Guard/Forward
Born	January 28, 1984 (1984-01-28) (age 25) Springfield, Illinois
Nationality	American
Listed height	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight	207 lb (94 kg)
League	NBA
Salary	$12,200,000[1]
High school	Lanphier
College	University of Arizona
Draft	9th overall, 2004 Philadelphia 76ers
Pro career	2004–present
Awards	2006 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge MVP 2005 NBA All-Rookie Team
Profile	Info Page

Andre Tyler Iguodala (born January 28, 1984), is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association. His nicknames are A.I. 2 and Iggy. He was named A.I. 2 after Allen Iverson, as his nickname is A.I. He is known for his high vertical and ability to dunk.

Early life

Iguodala was born in Springfield, Illinois. He is the son of Leonard and Linda Shanklin. His older brother, Frank, played for the University of Dayton.^[2]. He is of Nigerian descent.

High school career

Iguodala attended high school at Lanphier High School in Springfield, Illinois. During the summer of 2000, he grabbed the attention of coaches around the nation as he was named the AAU national tournament Most Valuable Player after hitting the game-winning shot at the final buzzer to give his team the 17-and-under national title. As a senior at Lanphier in 2002, he averaged 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, helping lead his team to the state championship game. He was named Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year.

College career

Iguodala initially signed a National Letter of Intent to play at the University of Arkansas. However, after their coach, Nolan Richardson, was fired that year, 2002, Iguodala decided to go the University of Arizona instead to play for Lute Olson. He was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshmen team for 2002–2003. In the 2003–2004 season, Iguodala was named team MVP after leading his team in rebounds, assists and steals. He also made the All-Pac 10 team and was named Honorable Mention All-America by The Associated Press. He collected three triple-doubles that season, joining Jason Kidd as the only two players in Pac-10 history to post two or more triple-doubles in a season. After posting career totals of 594 points (9.6 ppg), 409 rebounds (6.6 rpg) and 95 steals (1.53 spg) in 62 games (34 starts).^{[clarification needed]}

NBA career

Rookie season

Iguodala was selected 9th overall in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. When Iguodala was selected, ESPN personality Dick Vitale commented that it was a mistake for the Sixers to take him, saying "Iguodala was a [27 percent] shooter from the college three-point line. He's not going to be able to play," Iguodala used this as motivation as what proved to be a very productive rookie season.^[3] Iguodala was thrust into the starting lineup immediately during his rookie season and was the only 76er to play and start all 82 regular season games plus 5 playoff games. Andre Iguodala proved his versatility as he was the only rookie and 76er to record a triple-double that season, averaging 9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. His efforts were rewarded when he was named to the All-Rookie First Team and started on the rookie team during the Rookie Challenge portion of All-Star Weekend. ^[4][5] Until February 2005, Iguodala wore jersey #4, but allowed newly-acquired 76ers member, Chris Webber, to wear it instead. Chris Webber then bought Iguodala a Rolex watch as a thank you present for allowing him to wear the number #4.

2005-06 season

Iguodala started on the sophomore team during the Rookie Challenge and won game MVP. He also competed in the Slam Dunk Contest and finished second to Nate Robinson. ^[6] Towards the end of the season Iguodala went on to average 12.3 points and 5.9 rebounds.

2006–07 season

After Allen Iverson was traded to the Denver Nuggets it was clear that Iguodala would have to step up and become the franchise player. He went on to finish the season with averages of 18.2 points, along with 5.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists. His spark led the Sixers to a 30–29 record after the trade, and almost clinching a playoff berth.

2007–08 season

Andre Iguodala defended by Charlie Villanueva

Iguodala got off to a slow start to the season, at one point leading the league in turnovers. He began to step up his game as the season went on, leading the 76ers to a playoff berth. The 76ers finished the season at 40–42, winning 22 of their last 29 games and earning a playoff spot with a victory over the Atlanta Hawks on April 4. Iguodala averaged 19.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game through 82 games. In the playoffs the 76ers lost in the first round to the Pistons in 6 games after leading the series at one point 2–1. On August 12, 2008 Andre Iguodala reportedly agreed to a six-year, $80 million contract.^[7] He officially signed on August 17, 2008.^[8] The contract has $5 million in bonuses and a player option for the sixth year.

2008–09 season

Iguodala developed much more maturity in the 08-09 season, passing the ball around more often and garnering rebounds. With his last year with co-captain, Andre Miller, they brought Philly to another playoff berth, finishing the season with a 41-41 (.500) season record, 6th in the Easter conference. In Game 1, the Magic had an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter, but the Sixers came soaring back led by Andre Iguodala, eventually scoring a jumper with 2.2 seconds remaining to give the Sixers a road win. But eventually, the Sixers fell 4-2 in the Playoffs, failing to reach the second round since the 2001 Finals. Iguodala averaged 18.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game through 82 games.

NBA career statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Notes

External links

• Andre Iguodala Info Page at NBA.com

• Andre Iguodala Statistics at Basketball-Reference.com
• The Official Website of Andre Iguodala
• Video of Andre's Dunk Contest Performance