Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Eddie Griffin dies in car accident

NBA player Eddie Griffin died in a car accident last week when his sport utility vehicle collided with a freight train. He was 25. His body was identified today.

Griffin's last stint with an NBA team was with the Minnesota Timberwolves in March before he was waived for under-performance and off the court issues. The 6'10" forward also spent time with the Houston Rockets and the New Jersey Nets. He was drafted seventh overall out of Seton Hall University by New Jersey in the 2001 NBA Draft but was traded to Houston for the draft rights to Richard Jefferson. He then signed back with the Nets in the 2003-04 season only to be released and then signed by Minnesota a year later.

Griffin posted career averages of 7.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game. He was widely considered one of the best shot-blockers in the league but never maximized his potential. His best season probably came in the 2002-03 campaign where he averaged 8.6 points, six rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. He tallied more points and blocks per game in his rookie year but shot only 36.6% from the floor and did not compile as many rebounds.

No comments: