Where Are They Now: Jamaal Magloire

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The Toronto native was a heavily recruited prospect of his generation and chose to attend Kentucky mostly because of the influence of head coach, Rick Pitino. Jamaal "Big Cat" Magloire's career as a Wildcat included a national championship, 1000+ points, and a shot blocking record that was later broken by Anthony Davis. Magloire finished his college career scoring a total of 389 blocked shots and 1064 points in 145 games, averaging 7.3 points a game. Magloire was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team in 1996-97 and to the All-SEC First Team in 1999-00. Magloire declared early for the NBA Draft following his junior season but then decided to return for his senior season. Magloire was drafted 19th overall in the first round of the 2000 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets. Magloire spent the next to seasons in Charlotte where he averaged 4.6 points for the 2000-01 season and 8.5 for the 2001-02 season. Then in 2002, the Hornets moved to New Orleans where Magloire spent the next three seasons (2002-2005). Magloire averaged 10.3 points in his first season, 13.6 in his second and 11.7 in his final season. In 2004, Magloire was voted into the NBA All-Star game becoming the second Canadian All-Star in NBA history. Magloire lead the Eastern team with 19 points and 8 rebounds.

Magloire was raised by Trinidadian parents, so in 2005 he started the Toronto Revellers, a group of over 2000 masqueraders, volunteers and designers who contribute to Toronto's annual Caribbean Carnival- North America's largest street festival. Magloire then went on to found the Jamaal Magloire Basketball Association (JAMBA). JAMBA provided children in the Toronto area the opportunity to play and compete against other Canadian Basketball Associations. In October of 2005, Magloire was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. He spent one season with the Bucks and averaged 9.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Magloire spent the next three seasons playing for three different teams. In July of 2006, Magloire was traded to the Portland Trailblazers where he averaged 6.5 points per game. He spent the first part of the 2007-08 season withe the Dallas Mavericks before being waived in February. The Dallas Mavericks signed Magloire for the remainder of the season. Then in 2008, Magloire signed with the Miami Heat where he spent the next three seasons. Magloire provided additional depth and experience at the center position. The Heat made it to the NBA Finals in 2011, but fell short to the Dallas Mavericks in six games. Magloire made his editorial debut in December of 2011 as a weekly columnist for The Caribbean Camera in Toronto. "Big Cat's Corner" reflects on Magloire's culture, community and career, which allows him the opportunity to connect with those in his hometown. Magloire signed a one-year deal with his hometown team, the Toronto Raptors, the following season. This marked the first time a Canadian player played for Toronto, the only Canadian NBA franchise. The Raptors waived Magloire in 2012 but a couple months later hired him as a consultant and team ambassador. Maggiore now serves as an assistant coach in addition to his consultant and ambassador duties. [caption id="attachment_179822" align="alignnone" width="260"]