American · Portland, Oregon · Born 3 September 1973American basketball point guard who won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1996 and became the first franchise star for the Toronto Raptors expansion team.
Damon Stoudamire was born in Portland, Oregon in 1973. Toronto Raptors selected him seventh overall in the 1995 NBA Draft — the franchise's first year of existence. He won the Rookie of the Year award in 1996 after averaging 19.0 points and 9.3 assists per game — a remarkable debut for an expansion franchise. His 13-season career produced 13.7 points and 7.3 assists per game. His size — 5ft 10in — earned him the nickname Mighty Mouse. He was the defining player of the Raptors' formative years before Vince Carter arrived and transformed the franchise. He was traded to Portland after a contentious exit and spent seven productive seasons with the Trail Blazers. His career averages were consistently excellent — he was one of the most statistically productive shorter guards of his era. He was arrested on marijuana charges in 2003 and 2006 — incidents that shaped perceptions of his career. He later became head coach at the University of Arizona — his alma mater.
Being the first star player for the Toronto Raptors franchise and 1996 NBA Rookie of the Year
How They Played
Quick, undersized point guard with excellent court vision and three-point shooting ability
Lasting Impact
Pioneering point guard who helped establish the Toronto Raptors as an NBA franchise
Career Honours
- Rookie of the Year (1996)
- Toronto Raptors first franchise star
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto Raptors | 1995–1998 | 246 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 2005–2008 | 162 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 1998–2005 | 441 |
American Athletes