Gibson in 2009
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No. 22 – Oklahoma City Thunder | |
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Position | Power forward |
League | NBA |
Personal information | |
Born |
Brooklyn, New York |
June 24, 1985
Nationality | American |
Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
Listed weight | 236 lb (107 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | Calvary Christian (San Fernando, California) |
College | USC (2006–2009) |
NBA draft | 2009 / Round: 1 / Pick: 26th overall |
Selected by the Chicago Bulls | |
Playing career | 2009–present |
Career history | |
2009–2017 | Chicago Bulls |
2017–present | Oklahoma City Thunder |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Stats at NBA.com | |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Taj Jami Gibson (born June 24, 1985) is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Gibson played three seasons of collegiate basketball for the USC Trojans and was selected 26th overall by the Bulls in the 2009 NBA draft. The 6'9" power forward has throughout his career been a sixth man off the bench for the Bulls.
Gibson was born on June 24, 1985 in Brooklyn, New York City. Gibson began his high school career at the High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology in Brooklyn, N.Y. He then attended Stoneridge Prep as a sophomore and junior in Tarzana, California. During his senior year in 2006, he attended Calvary Christian in San Fernando, California.
Gibson played at the University of Southern California, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. As one of the oldest freshmen in the country at age 21 in 2007 he was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman team. He helped beat rival UCLA in 2008. Gibson was named to the 2009 All-Pac 10 Tournament Team by helping the Trojans win the Pacific-10 Tournament Championship at the Staples Center.
Gibson declared for the 2009 NBA draft, and was selected 26th overall by the Chicago Bulls. He, along with fellow draft pick James Johnson, signed with the Bulls in July, 2009. Gibson was the starting power forward for most of his rookie season with the Bulls and impressed many people with his high energy and good defense. During the All-Star Weekend, Gibson played in the Rookie Challenge, where the Rookie team won for the first time since 2002. The Bulls made the playoffs securing the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. Taj averaged 7.6 points per game and 7.0 rebounds while the Bulls lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round. At the end of his first season, Taj was selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.