Who is Shawn Kemp?
Shawn Kemp is a former American professional basketball player widely regarded as among the most electrifying and dynamic power forwards in the history of the NBA. He played in the league for 14 seasons, earning six All-Star selections and three All-NBA Second Team honours.
| About | Info |
| Full Name | Shawn Travis Kemp Sr. |
| Known as | Shawn Kemp |
| Nicknames | Reign Man, The Reignman |
| Profession | American Former Basketball Player |
| Popular For | Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Orlando Magic in the National Basketball Association (NBA) |
Birthday and Zodiac
| Age (As of 2023) | 53 year old |
| Date of Birth | November 26, 1969 |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Birth Place | Elkhart, Indiana, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Afro-American |
Education
| School | Concord High School |
| University | Trinity Valley Community College & University of Kentucky |
Physical Stats
| Height | 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m) |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Weight | 127 kg (280 lbs.) |
Net Worth
| Estimated Net Worth | $5 Million |
Family and Relationship
| Father | N/A |
| Mother | Barbara Kemp |
| Wife | Marvena L. Thomas (m. 2001) |
| Siblings | N/A |
| Children | Shawn Kemp Jr., Jamon Kemp |
Social Media
| Social Media |
Biography Timeline
Shawn is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 14 seasons. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest dunkers in NBA history and was a six-time NBA All-Star. Here is a detailed timeline of his life and achievements:
- 1969: Shawn Travis Kemp Sr. was born on November 26 in Elkhart, Indiana.
- 1988: Graduates from Concord High School in Elkhart, Indiana.
- 1988-1989: He attends Kentucky but does not play in any games due to academic ineligibility.
- 1989-1990: Plays for Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas, averaging 22.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.
- 1990: He is selected 17th overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in the NBA draft.
- 1991-1992: Averages 15.0 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in his second season in the NBA and helps the SuperSonics reach the Western Conference semifinals.
- 1992-1993: Kemp has a breakout season, averaging 18.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game and earning his first All-Star selection.
- 1993-1994: Leads the SuperSonics to the NBA Finals, losing to the Chicago Bulls in six games. He averages 23.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game in the playoffs.
- 1995-1996: Kemp is named to the All-NBA Second Team and helps the SuperSonics win a franchise-record 64 games.
- 1996-1997: Earns his fourth All-Star selection and leads the SuperSonics to the NBA Playoffs.
- 1997: Traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team deal.
- 1998-1999: Averaged 20.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game for the Cavaliers in a lockout-shortened season.
- 2000: He is traded to the Portland Trail Blazers.
- 2002: He is traded to the Orlando Magic.
- 2003: He is traded to the SuperSonics, where he finishes his NBA career.
- 2005: Plays his final professional season for the Italian team Premiata Montegranaro.
- 2006: He announces his retirement from professional basketball.
Shawn Travis Kemp Sr. had a successful and memorable NBA career, earning six All-Star selections and helping lead the SuperSonics to the NBA Finals in 1994. He was known for his high-flying dunks and powerful athleticism, nicknamed “Reign Man.” Despite some off-court issues and struggles with weight later in his career, He remains a beloved figure in NBA history and is remembered as one of the greatest dunkers of all time.
Early Life, Age and Education
Shawn was born “Shawn Travis Kemp Sr.” on November 26, 1969, in Elkhart, Indiana, to his mother, Barbara, and his father, who was absent from his life. He grew up with his four brothers and sisters, and they often struggled financially. Attended Concord High School in Elkhart, where he played basketball and helped lead the team to the state championship game.
Then, he transferred to Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas, where he continued his basketball career before moving on to the University of Kentucky. He played for one season at Kentucky before deciding to enter the NBA draft in 1989. He was selected 17th overall by the Seattle SuperSonics and quickly became a star in the league. Despite leaving college early, Later returned to complete his degree, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Concordia University Irvine in California.
Professional Career
His professional basketball career spanned 14 seasons in the NBA, during which he established himself as one of the most dominant power forwards in the league. played for several teams, including the Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Portland Trail Blazers.
His career highlights include six All-Star selections, three All-NBA Second Team honours, and leading the SuperSonics to the NBA Finals in 1996. He was also a United States men’s basketball team member that won the gold medal at the 1994 FIBA World Championship. Retired from the NBA in 2003 with career averages of 14.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game.
Who is Shawn Married to?
Off the court, He has had his fair share of personal struggles, including battles with addiction and legal issues. However, he has also found stability in his personal life and has been in a long-term relationship with his partner, Marvena Thomas, and the couple has two children together, a son named Shawn Jr. and a daughter named Jamon.
His children have followed in their father’s footsteps and become basketball players, with Kemp Jr. playing for the NBA’s Golden State Warriors and Jamon playing for collegiate teams. He also runs a restaurant in Seattle called “Oskar’s Kitchen,” named after his late mother.
Net Worth
His net worth is around $5 million. During his NBA career, Earned approximately $90 million in salary and endorsements. However, he faced financial troubles due to legal issues and overspending. In 2008, Sold his mansion in Seattle for $3.6 million after it was foreclosed on.
He has also been involved in several business ventures, including owning a car dealership and a restaurant.
Social Handles
He is active on Twitter, with his handle being @sk40_reignman. he has approximately 32,400 followers on the platform.
Trivia
- Known for his high-flying dunks and was once nicknamed the “Reign Man” by sportscaster Kevin Calabro.
- Played for six teams throughout his NBA career, but he is best known for his time with the Seattle SuperSonics, where he played from 1989 to 1997.
- Selected to the NBA All-Star game six times during his career, and he also won a gold medal with the United States men’s basketball team at the 1994 FIBA World Championship.
- He was known for his incredible athleticism and was one of his era’s most dominant power forwards. He was exceptionally skilled at finishing around the rim and led the NBA in dunks for four consecutive seasons.
- In addition to his basketball career and has also been involved in various business ventures. He has owned a car dealership and a restaurant and even had his line of athletic shoes called the “Kamikaze” line, which Reebok produced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shawn Kemp is a former American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 14 seasons.
He was born on November 26, 1969, in Elkhart, Indiana, USA.
He is listed as 6 feet 10 inches (208 cm) tall.
He played for several teams in the NBA, including the Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Orlando Magic.
His best season in the NBA was in 1995-1996 when he led the Seattle SuperSonics to the NBA Finals and was named to the All-NBA Second Team.
His net worth is around $5 million.
He was a six-time NBA All-Star named to the All-NBA Second Team three times.
No, He never won an NBA championship, although he did lead the Seattle SuperSonics to the NBA Finals in 1996.
He worked as a sports analyst and commentator for Fox Sports.
He was known for his explosive athleticism, powerful dunks, and ability to play both forward positions.
Yes, He owns several marijuana dispensaries in the state of Washington.
He faced several challenges in his career, including weight gain and substance abuse.
He is involved in several charitable organizations, including the Shawn Kemp Foundation, which focuses on helping underprivileged children in Seattle.
He has seven children with six different women and has been involved in several high-profile legal and financial disputes.
He is regarded as one of his era’s most dominant and exciting players, known for his ferocious dunks, high-flying athleticism, and impact on basketball.