Rashad McCants
Encyclopedia
Rashad Dion McCants is an American
professional basketball
player.
in New Hampton
, New Hampshire
. He led New Hampton to the 2002 New England Prep School Class A championship and was named MVP
of the title game. McCants played alongside future college teammate Wes Miller
during his senior season.
McCants was an honor roll student at New Hampton. He also won the New Hampshire Player of the Year Award in 2001 and 2002. And, as a senior, he was also named to the Parade All-American and McDonald's All-American Team
s. He played in the McDonald's All-American Game with future Tar Heel teammates Raymond Felton
and Sean May.
, and David Noel
, McCants joined a stellar recruiting class at UNC for the 2002–2003 season, coached by Matt Doherty. In his freshman year, McCants led the Tar Heels in scoring with 17.5 points per game, and led them to a third round loss to Georgetown
in the National Invitational Tournament. He was voted to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference
(ACC) rookie team.
In the 2003–2004 season, McCants led the ACC in scoring with 20 points per game. With that effort, McCants helped lead UNC back into the NCAA Tournament
with a sixth ranking, where they would lose in the second round to number three ranked Texas. He was the leading vote-getter on the All-ACC First Team as a sophomore, and was named a Second Team All-American.
With freshman Marvin Williams
joining the squad for the 2004–2005, the junior class led by preseason Wooden Award candidates in McCants, May, and Felton gave UNC a high ranking in all preseason polls and the team was seen as one of the favorites to win the NCAA Tournament. After going 33–4 and winning the ACC regular season, McCants' 16.4 points per game helped secure UNC one of the four number one seeds in the NCAA Tournament. UNC cruised to the championship game, where McCants helped the Tar Heels defeat the Illinois
Fighting Illini 75–70.
McCants' three years at Chapel Hill
were not without controversy. In an interview for a local television station, McCants compared UNC to a prison, stating, "You're not allowed to say certain things, but once you get out of jail, you're free. (I'm) in my sentence, and I'm doing my time".
McCants scored 1721 points in his career at North Carolina and made 221 career three-point field goal
s.
, and was selected 14th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves
. His college teammates, Marvin Williams
, Raymond Felton
, and Sean May were also selected in the draft. During his first two years as a pro, McCants was bothered by injuries and did not play up to the expectations of fans. He had a lot of expectations going into the 2007–08 season, and on a young Timberwolves squad, he started the season as a rotation regular, and broke into the starting lineup halfway through the season.
As of January 2008, Rashad had posted career-highs through his third season, with 34 points against the Denver Nuggets
on January 4, 2008, 8 rebounds against the Miami Heat
on January 8, 4 steals against the Seattle SuperSonics
on December 29, 2007, and getting 6 assists five times. On December 26, 2008, he hit a career-high 7 three-pointers in a Wolves win over the New York Knicks
.
On February 19, 2009, McCants was sent to the Sacramento Kings
along with Calvin Booth
for Shelden Williams
and Bobby Brown
. McCants then signed with the Houston Rockets
in September 2009, but had his contract retracted on the second day of the training camp. The Rockets General Manager said McCants presented with an abdomen problem and would not be able to participate in the camp, though he also said he would still consider McCants down the track once healthy.
In the summer of 2010, he was scheduled to join the Cleveland Cavaliers' NBA Summer League
team. However, he did not report to the team for personal reasons.
In October 2010 the Dallas Mavericks signed McCants to their training camp roster. However, he was released only after a few days. He was then signed by the Mavericks' NBA Development League associate, the Texas Legends.
of the WNBA's Tulsa Shock, played for the University of North Carolina
women's basketball team that went to the Final Four in 2006 hosted in the city of Boston, Massachusetts. Rashanda used the same number, 32, as Rashad used at UNC.
She also followed her brother's footsteps as a professional basketball player when she became a WNBA player on April 9 of
2009. Coincidentally, she was drafted by the Minnesota Lynx
and started her professional career in the same city where her brother did.
Rashad is also the cousin of San Diego Padres
outfielder
Cameron Maybin
and third cousin of Canadian Football League
running back John Avery
.
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Minnesota
| 79 || 12 || 17.2 || .450 || .372 || .736 || 1.8 || .8 || .6 || .3 || 7.9
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Minnesota
| 37 || 0 || 15.0 || .350 || .267 || .690 || 1.3 || 1.0 || .7 || .2 || 5.0
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Minnesota
| 75 || 24 || 26.9 || .453 || .407 || .748 || 2.7 || 2.2 || .9 || .2 || 14.9
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Minnesota
| 34 || 2 || 18.7 || .360 || .319 || .741 || 1.9 || .9 || .8 || .2 || 9.1
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Sacramento
| 24 || 1 || 19.4 || .444 || .357 || .783 || 2.0 || 1.5 || .8 || .3 || 10.3
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 249 || 39 || 20.2 || .431 || .368 || .741 || 2.0 || 1.3 || .7 || .2 || 10.0
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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.
High school career
McCants began his high school career at Erwin High School in Asheville, but finished at New Hampton SchoolNew Hampton School
New Hampton School is an independent college preparatory high school located in New Hampton, New Hampshire, in the New England region of the northeastern United States...
in New Hampton
New Hampton, New Hampshire
New Hampton is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,165 at the 2010 census. A winter sports resort area, New Hampton is home to George Duncan State Forest and to the New Hampton School, a private preparatory school established in 1821.The primary village in...
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
. He led New Hampton to the 2002 New England Prep School Class A championship and was named MVP
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
of the title game. McCants played alongside future college teammate Wes Miller
Wes Miller
Warren Weston Miller is an American basketball coach and former player, having played professionally for London Capitals of the British Basketball League. He is currently an assistant coach at UNC-Greensboro under head coach, Mike Dement...
during his senior season.
McCants was an honor roll student at New Hampton. He also won the New Hampshire Player of the Year Award in 2001 and 2002. And, as a senior, he was also named to the Parade All-American and McDonald's All-American Team
McDonald's All-American Team
The McDonald's All-American Game refers to each of the all-star basketball games played each year for boys' and girls' high-school basketball graduates. Consisting of the top American and Canadian players, each team plays a single exhibition game after the conclusion of the high-school basketball...
s. He played in the McDonald's All-American Game with future Tar Heel teammates Raymond Felton
Raymond Felton
Raymond Bernard Felton, Jr. is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association . A point guard, Felton is listed at 6'1 and 205 lbs. Felton played college basketball for the North Carolina under head coach Roy...
and Sean May.
Collegiate career
Alongside Sean May, Raymond FeltonRaymond Felton
Raymond Bernard Felton, Jr. is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association . A point guard, Felton is listed at 6'1 and 205 lbs. Felton played college basketball for the North Carolina under head coach Roy...
, and David Noel
David Noel
David Anthony Noel III is an American professional basketball player. A graduate of Southern High School in Durham, North Carolina and the University of North Carolina, Noel was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round of the 2006 NBA Draft with their lone pick, 39th overall.Noel...
, McCants joined a stellar recruiting class at UNC for the 2002–2003 season, coached by Matt Doherty. In his freshman year, McCants led the Tar Heels in scoring with 17.5 points per game, and led them to a third round loss to Georgetown
Georgetown Hoyas
Georgetown's nickname is The Hoyas, but its mascot is "Jack the Bulldog." Various breeds of dogs have been used by the sports teams as mascots since the early 1900s. Several notable bull terriers like Sergeant Stubby and "Hoya" were used at football games in the 1920s, as was a Great Dane in the...
in the National Invitational Tournament. He was voted to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
(ACC) rookie team.
In the 2003–2004 season, McCants led the ACC in scoring with 20 points per game. With that effort, McCants helped lead UNC back into the NCAA Tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
with a sixth ranking, where they would lose in the second round to number three ranked Texas. He was the leading vote-getter on the All-ACC First Team as a sophomore, and was named a Second Team All-American.
With freshman Marvin Williams
Marvin Williams
Marvin Gaye Williams, Jr. is an American professional basketball player. He currently is playing for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association and is listed at 6' 9" and 240 pounds...
joining the squad for the 2004–2005, the junior class led by preseason Wooden Award candidates in McCants, May, and Felton gave UNC a high ranking in all preseason polls and the team was seen as one of the favorites to win the NCAA Tournament. After going 33–4 and winning the ACC regular season, McCants' 16.4 points per game helped secure UNC one of the four number one seeds in the NCAA Tournament. UNC cruised to the championship game, where McCants helped the Tar Heels defeat the Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
Fighting Illini 75–70.
McCants' three years at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
were not without controversy. In an interview for a local television station, McCants compared UNC to a prison, stating, "You're not allowed to say certain things, but once you get out of jail, you're free. (I'm) in my sentence, and I'm doing my time".
McCants scored 1721 points in his career at North Carolina and made 221 career three-point field goal
Three-point field goal
A three-point field goal is a field goal in a basketball game, made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc radiating from the basket...
s.
NBA career
After winning the championship, McCants declared his eligibility for the 2005 NBA Draft2005 NBA Draft
The 2005 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 2005 in the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and non-North American leagues...
, and was selected 14th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
. His college teammates, Marvin Williams
Marvin Williams
Marvin Gaye Williams, Jr. is an American professional basketball player. He currently is playing for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association and is listed at 6' 9" and 240 pounds...
, Raymond Felton
Raymond Felton
Raymond Bernard Felton, Jr. is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association . A point guard, Felton is listed at 6'1 and 205 lbs. Felton played college basketball for the North Carolina under head coach Roy...
, and Sean May were also selected in the draft. During his first two years as a pro, McCants was bothered by injuries and did not play up to the expectations of fans. He had a lot of expectations going into the 2007–08 season, and on a young Timberwolves squad, he started the season as a rotation regular, and broke into the starting lineup halfway through the season.
As of January 2008, Rashad had posted career-highs through his third season, with 34 points against the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
on January 4, 2008, 8 rebounds against the 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...
on January 8, 4 steals against the Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
on December 29, 2007, and getting 6 assists five times. On December 26, 2008, he hit a career-high 7 three-pointers in a Wolves win over the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
.
On February 19, 2009, McCants was sent to the Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
along with Calvin Booth
Calvin Booth
Calvin Lawrence Booth is an American professional basketball player who is currently a free agent.-College career:...
for Shelden Williams
Shelden Williams
Shelden DeMar Williams is an American professional basketball player who last played for the New York Knicks...
and Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown (basketball)
Robert 'Bobby' Douglas Brown is an American professional basketball player.-Amateur career:...
. McCants then signed with the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
in September 2009, but had his contract retracted on the second day of the training camp. The Rockets General Manager said McCants presented with an abdomen problem and would not be able to participate in the camp, though he also said he would still consider McCants down the track once healthy.
In the summer of 2010, he was scheduled to join the Cleveland Cavaliers' NBA Summer League
NBA Summer League
The NBA Summer League is a period during which NBA teams come together to try out different summer rosters instead of their regular season line-ups. Typically, there is a mix of rookies and some of the younger bench players to see how well some players work with others...
team. However, he did not report to the team for personal reasons.
In October 2010 the Dallas Mavericks signed McCants to their training camp roster. However, he was released only after a few days. He was then signed by the Mavericks' NBA Development League associate, the Texas Legends.
Personal life
McCants' sister, Rashanda McCantsRashanda McCants
Rashanda McCants is an American professional basketball player in the WNBA.Her brother is Rashad McCants of the NBA.-High school:...
of the WNBA's Tulsa Shock, played for the University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina
Chartered in 1789, the University of North Carolina was one of the first public universities in the United States and the only one to graduate students in the eighteenth century...
women's basketball team that went to the Final Four in 2006 hosted in the city of Boston, Massachusetts. Rashanda used the same number, 32, as Rashad used at UNC.
She also followed her brother's footsteps as a professional basketball player when she became a WNBA player on April 9 of
2009. Coincidentally, she was drafted by the Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
and started her professional career in the same city where her brother did.
Rashad is also the cousin of San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
Cameron Maybin
Cameron Maybin
Cameron Keith Maybin is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the San Diego Padres. He was the tenth pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft by The Detroit Tigers. He was consistently ranked as the Tigers top minor league prospect while in the organization.-High school:Maybin played high school...
and third cousin of Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
running back John Avery
John Avery (football player)
John Edward Avery, Jr. is a former professional Canadian football and American football player. He most recently played with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, but also played with the National Football League's and the XFL John Edward Avery, Jr. (born January 11, 1976 in...
.
Awards
- All-ACC First Team: 2003–04
- All-ACC Third Team: 2004–05
- All-ACC Rookie Team: 2002–03
- Parade All-American: 2001–02
- McDonald's All-American: 2001–02
- New Hampshire Player of the Year: 2000, 2001
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Minnesota
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
| 79 || 12 || 17.2 || .450 || .372 || .736 || 1.8 || .8 || .6 || .3 || 7.9
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Minnesota
| 37 || 0 || 15.0 || .350 || .267 || .690 || 1.3 || 1.0 || .7 || .2 || 5.0
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Minnesota
| 75 || 24 || 26.9 || .453 || .407 || .748 || 2.7 || 2.2 || .9 || .2 || 14.9
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left" | Minnesota
| 34 || 2 || 18.7 || .360 || .319 || .741 || 1.9 || .9 || .8 || .2 || 9.1
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left" | Sacramento
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
| 24 || 1 || 19.4 || .444 || .357 || .783 || 2.0 || 1.5 || .8 || .3 || 10.3
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 249 || 39 || 20.2 || .431 || .368 || .741 || 2.0 || 1.3 || .7 || .2 || 10.0