Matt Geiger
Encyclopedia
Matthew Allen "Matt" Geiger (September 10, 1969 in Salem, Massachusetts
) is a retired American professional basketball
player who played in the National Basketball Association
on the center
position.
in Clearwater, Florida
and was recruited to play college basketball
at Auburn University
. He played with Auburn
before transferring to Georgia Tech
for more playing time.
in the second round (42nd pick overall) of the 1992 NBA Draft
. He played in the NBA for 10 seasons from 1992–2002 with 3 teams: Miami Heat
, Charlotte Hornets, and Philadelphia 76ers
. His main assets were considered to be his mid-range jump shot and his rebounding skills.
In the summer of 2000, Matt Geiger's refusal to waive a trade kicker clause in his contract stopped a four-team deal between Philadelphia, the Hornets, the Detroit Pistons
and the L.A. Lakers that would have sent All-Star player Allen Iverson
to the Pistons. He was suspended for two games during the 2000-01 season for a violation of the NBA/NBPA's steroid policy.
Geiger signed a $5 million dollar contract in 2001 with the Philadelphia 76ers
but knee injuries forced him to retire in 2002. For his career, he averaged 9.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
where he is a real estate investor. His 28000 square feet (2,601.3 m²) estate, reported as the largest in the county, sold on January 3, 2011 for 8 million dollars. The estate was originally listed for 20 million dollars and was on the market for four years.The Punisher
used this home as the residence of John Travolta
's character Mr. Saint.
In January 1992, during Geiger's senior year at Georgia Tech, his fraternal twin Mark Geiger was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease at the age of 22. Because his brother lost his hair during chemotherapy
, Matt Geiger shaved his head during his NBA career in support of his brother.
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,407 at the 2000 census. It and Lawrence are the county seats of Essex County...
) is a retired American professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player who played in the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
on the center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
position.
Collegiate career
Geiger played for Countryside High SchoolCountryside High School
Countryside High School, also known as CHS, is a public high school located in Clearwater, Florida. Established in 1981, it is a part of the Pinellas County Schools system, and is one of the larger schools in Pinellas County...
in Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater is a city located in Pinellas County, Florida, US, nearly due west of Tampa and northwest of St. Petersburg. In the west of Clearwater lies the Gulf of Mexico and in the east lies Tampa Bay. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 108,787. It is the county seat of...
and was recruited to play college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
at Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
. He played with Auburn
Auburn Tigers men's basketball
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball program is the college basketball program that represents Auburn University, competing in the Southeastern Conference. The program began in 1905. Though they generally play under the shadow of the football program, the Tigers have had successes on the hardwood...
before transferring to Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets men's basketball
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets men's basketball team represents the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in NCAA Division I basketball. The team plays its home games in Alexander Memorial Coliseum. Under the tenure of Bobby Cremins, Georgia Tech established itself as a national force in basketball...
for more playing time.
NBA career
His successful college career led Geiger to be selected by the Miami HeatMiami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
in the second round (42nd pick overall) of the 1992 NBA Draft
1992 NBA Draft
The 1992 NBA Draft took place on June 24, 1992, in Portland, Oregon. At the time, the draft was considered to be one of the deepest drafts in NBA history. The top three picks were considered can't-miss prospects. O'Neal and Mourning are likely Hall of Famers...
. He played in the NBA for 10 seasons from 1992–2002 with 3 teams: Miami Heat
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
, Charlotte Hornets, and Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
. His main assets were considered to be his mid-range jump shot and his rebounding skills.
In the summer of 2000, Matt Geiger's refusal to waive a trade kicker clause in his contract stopped a four-team deal between Philadelphia, the Hornets, the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
and the L.A. Lakers that would have sent All-Star player Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson
Allen Ezail Iverson is an American professional basketball point guard and shooting guard. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the number one pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in the 1996–97 season...
to the Pistons. He was suspended for two games during the 2000-01 season for a violation of the NBA/NBPA's steroid policy.
Geiger signed a $5 million dollar contract in 2001 with the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
but knee injuries forced him to retire in 2002. For his career, he averaged 9.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Personal life
Geiger currently resides in Tarpon Springs, FloridaTarpon Springs, Florida
Tarpon Springs is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The population was 21,003 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 22,554....
where he is a real estate investor. His 28000 square feet (2,601.3 m²) estate, reported as the largest in the county, sold on January 3, 2011 for 8 million dollars. The estate was originally listed for 20 million dollars and was on the market for four years.The Punisher
The Punisher (2004 film)
The Punisher is a 2004 American comic book action film, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, starring Thomas Jane as the antihero Frank Castle / The Punisher and John Travolta as the villain Howard Saint, a money launderer who orders the death of Castle's entire family...
used this home as the residence of John Travolta
John Travolta
John Joseph Travolta is an American actor, dancer and singer. Travolta first became known in the 1970s, after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office successes Saturday Night Fever and Grease...
's character Mr. Saint.
In January 1992, during Geiger's senior year at Georgia Tech, his fraternal twin Mark Geiger was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease at the age of 22. Because his brother lost his hair during chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....
, Matt Geiger shaved his head during his NBA career in support of his brother.