Josh Grant
Encyclopedia
Joshua "Josh" David Grant (born August 7, 1967 in Salt Lake City, Utah
) is a retired American
professional basketball player. The 6’9” (2.06 m), 223 pound (101 kg) Small/Power forward who graduated from East High School
in Salt Lake City, Utah
in 1986 and attended the University of Utah
, where he was an important player and still holds multiple basketball records. Among other honors, Grant was named to Utah’s All-Century Men’s Basketball Team on February 12, 2008 and was inducted into the University’s Crimson Club Hall of Fame on April 8, 2008.
Grant was selected with the Sixteenth pick of the Second Round of the 1993 NBA draft (43rd pick overall) by the Denver Nuggets and was traded to the Golden State Warriors on a draft night trade. Grant played for the Warriors during the 1993-1994 season, and then played abroad for several years.
from 1988-1993 (he was forced to take a medical red-shirt year because of a knee injury during the 1991-92 season).
Grant played under coach Lynn Archibald
for one season, and then under famed basketball coach Rick Majerus
for the rest of his college career. The period during which Grant played under Majerus marked the beginning of a highly successful period for the Utes under Majerus throughout the 90s, which ultimately culminated with the Utes’ appearance in the NCAA championship game in 1998. Teams Grant played on in 1991 and 1993 won WAC
regular season championships, and the 1991 team went to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, eventually being eliminated by Jerry Tarkanian’s
defending champion UNLV Runnin’ Rebels
to finish 30-4 on the season. Grant was the captain of the Utah team for three years (1991, 1992, 1993).
In 2008, Grant was honored by the University of Utah as part of its men’s basketball program’s centennial celebration when he was named to the University of Utah Men’s Basketball “All Century Team” on February 12, 2008. Grant was also honored on April 8, 2008, when he was inducted to the University of Utah’s Crimson Club Hall of Fame in 2008.
Beyond these honors, Grant has directly participated in several events that are among some of the most memorable events in Utah men’s basketball history. For example, many fans remember Grant’s dunk over 7’6” center Sean Bradley, of arch-rival BYU
on February 16, 1991, which was voted as the 41st greatest moment in Utah basketball history. Other events of the 100 Greatest Moments in Utah’s Basketball History that Grant participated directly in include:
In addition to these all-time records, Grant holds many Utah records for individual games or seasons, as well as several WAC records, which are not listed here.
of Michigan) for Darnell Mee
. Grant played for the Warriors during the 1993-1994 season before playing abroad for several years.
Despite having a relatively positive scouting report, Grant played just one season in the NBA. During the 1993-94 season, Grants statistics were as follows:
|-
| align="left" | 1993–94
| align="left" | Golden State
| 53 || 0 || 7.2 || .404 || .279 || .759 || 1.7 || 0.5 || 0.3 || 0.2 || 3.0
After playing one season in the NBA, Grant continued to play professionally in Europe for nine more years, playing on teams in Spain, France, Greece and Italy.
in Salt Lake City in 1986, where he was an all-state player twice, and was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Utah as a senior, after leading his team to a third-place finish in the state tournament.
Grant also served a two-year mission for the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in London from 1986-88.
After his basketball career, Grant earned a Master’s degree in teaching. He was a history teacher and head boys’ basketball coach at Lake Forrest High School and Niles West High School
in the Chicago, Illinois area.
Grant currently works as a Regional Development Officer for the University of Utah, as part of the University’s outreach program to alumni and friends. As part of this job, Grant travels around the country meeting alums and working to establish new relationships and strengthen ties with alums and friends on behalf of the University.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
) is a retired American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball player. The 6’9” (2.06 m), 223 pound (101 kg) Small/Power forward who graduated from East High School
East High School (Salt Lake City)
East High School is a public high school in the Salt Lake City School District in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. and serves grades nine through twelve. It also accepts and cares for mentally and physically disabled children. East High School was founded in 1914 and currently has an enrolled student...
in Salt Lake City, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
in 1986 and attended the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
, where he was an important player and still holds multiple basketball records. Among other honors, Grant was named to Utah’s All-Century Men’s Basketball Team on February 12, 2008 and was inducted into the University’s Crimson Club Hall of Fame on April 8, 2008.
Grant was selected with the Sixteenth pick of the Second Round of the 1993 NBA draft (43rd pick overall) by the Denver Nuggets and was traded to the Golden State Warriors on a draft night trade. Grant played for the Warriors during the 1993-1994 season, and then played abroad for several years.
College career
Josh Grant played for the University of Utah UtesUtah Utes men's basketball
The University of Utah Utes have consistently been one of the most successful basketball programs in the NCAA. They are currently an NCAA Division I program that plays in the Pacific-12 Conference. The school has made the NCAA Tournament 26 times, which ranks 16th in NCAA history and 3rd behind...
from 1988-1993 (he was forced to take a medical red-shirt year because of a knee injury during the 1991-92 season).
Grant played under coach Lynn Archibald
Lynn Archibald
Lynn Archibald was the former men's basketball coach of the University of Utah from 1983-1989. Archibald led the Utes to a 98-86 record before being fired after the 1989 season. Prior to Utah, Archibald was the head coach at Idaho State University...
for one season, and then under famed basketball coach Rick Majerus
Rick Majerus
Rick Majerus is an American college basketball coach, and the men's basketball head coach at Saint Louis University. He coached previously at Marquette University , Ball State University , and the University of Utah .-Biography:Majerus graduated from Marquette University High School in 1966 and...
for the rest of his college career. The period during which Grant played under Majerus marked the beginning of a highly successful period for the Utes under Majerus throughout the 90s, which ultimately culminated with the Utes’ appearance in the NCAA championship game in 1998. Teams Grant played on in 1991 and 1993 won WAC
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
regular season championships, and the 1991 team went to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, eventually being eliminated by Jerry Tarkanian’s
Jerry Tarkanian
Jerry Tarkanian , also known as "Tark the Shark", is a retired college basketball coach known as one of the winningest coaches in college basketball history...
defending champion UNLV Runnin’ Rebels
UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball
The UNLV Runnin' Rebels are a NCAA Division I men's basketball team who play at the Thomas & Mack Center in Paradise, Nevada. Their most recent appearance in the NCAA Tournament was in 2011 when they received an at–large bid to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, earning an 8-seed in...
to finish 30-4 on the season. Grant was the captain of the Utah team for three years (1991, 1992, 1993).
Honors
Grant received many honors for his collegiate career at Utah, where he was a four-year letter earner (1989, 1990, 1991, 1993). He was first-team all-WAC twice (1991, 1993) and second team all-WAC once (1990). Grant was named WAC player of the year twice (1991, 1993), and during those same two years, Grant was also named to the WAC All-Tournament Team (1991, 1993), and the Utes won the WAC regular-season championship (1991,1993).In 2008, Grant was honored by the University of Utah as part of its men’s basketball program’s centennial celebration when he was named to the University of Utah Men’s Basketball “All Century Team” on February 12, 2008. Grant was also honored on April 8, 2008, when he was inducted to the University of Utah’s Crimson Club Hall of Fame in 2008.
Beyond these honors, Grant has directly participated in several events that are among some of the most memorable events in Utah men’s basketball history. For example, many fans remember Grant’s dunk over 7’6” center Sean Bradley, of arch-rival BYU
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
on February 16, 1991, which was voted as the 41st greatest moment in Utah basketball history. Other events of the 100 Greatest Moments in Utah’s Basketball History that Grant participated directly in include:
- 33. March 17, 1991 - Utah 85 Michigan State 84 to go to Sweet 16. Game went to double overtime - Josh Grant had 29 points for the Utes.
- 42. March 2, 1991 - Utah beats BYU 72-71 OT (30-4 season).
- 72. Feb 16, 1991 - Utah wins WAC with an 81-74 victory over BYU.
- 98. Feb 27, 1993 - Largest crowd ever recorded in the Hunstman Center (15,755).
Records
Grant holds multiple records in virtually every category for Utah, including several all-time records at the University of Utah, such as:- Third highest scorer all-time with 2000 total points.
- Third in total rebounds with 1066 total rebounds.
- Most total offensive rebounds with 337.
- Second in total defensive rebounds with 839.
- Fourth in total field goals made with 727.
- Third in total three-point field goals made with 153.
- Second in all-time steals with 191.
- Seventh in all-time assists with 387.
- Fourth in blocked shots with 109.
- Third in total games played with 131.
In addition to these all-time records, Grant holds many Utah records for individual games or seasons, as well as several WAC records, which are not listed here.
Professional career
Josh Grant was drafted as the 16th pick of the second round in the 1993 NBA draft (43rd overall) by the Denver Nuggets and was traded to the Golden State Warriors in a draft night trade with a 1994 second-round draft pick (eventually used to select Anthony MillerAnthony Miller (basketball)
Anthony "Pig" Miller is an American professional basketball player who was selected by Golden State Warriors in the 2nd round of the 1994 NBA Draft....
of Michigan) for Darnell Mee
Darnell Mee
LaFarrell Darnell Mee is an American-Australian basketball player and former NBA player. He was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the 34th overall pick of the 1993 NBA Draft....
. Grant played for the Warriors during the 1993-1994 season before playing abroad for several years.
Despite having a relatively positive scouting report, Grant played just one season in the NBA. During the 1993-94 season, Grants statistics were as follows:
|-
| align="left" | 1993–94
| align="left" | Golden State
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
| 53 || 0 || 7.2 || .404 || .279 || .759 || 1.7 || 0.5 || 0.3 || 0.2 || 3.0
After playing one season in the NBA, Grant continued to play professionally in Europe for nine more years, playing on teams in Spain, France, Greece and Italy.
Personal
Grant graduated from East High SchoolEast High School (Salt Lake City)
East High School is a public high school in the Salt Lake City School District in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. and serves grades nine through twelve. It also accepts and cares for mentally and physically disabled children. East High School was founded in 1914 and currently has an enrolled student...
in Salt Lake City in 1986, where he was an all-state player twice, and was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Utah as a senior, after leading his team to a third-place finish in the state tournament.
Grant also served a two-year mission for the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in London from 1986-88.
After his basketball career, Grant earned a Master’s degree in teaching. He was a history teacher and head boys’ basketball coach at Lake Forrest High School and Niles West High School
Niles West High School
Niles West High School, or NWHS, is a public four-year high school located in Skokie, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, in the United States. It is part of Niles Township Community High School District 219, which also includes Niles North High School. Its school teams were originally the Indians, but...
in the Chicago, Illinois area.
Grant currently works as a Regional Development Officer for the University of Utah, as part of the University’s outreach program to alumni and friends. As part of this job, Grant travels around the country meeting alums and working to establish new relationships and strengthen ties with alums and friends on behalf of the University.
See also
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 2000 points and 1000 rebounds