American · Elkhart, Indiana · Born 26 November 1969American basketball power forward known for his explosive dunking ability and athletic dominance during the 1990s NBA era with the Seattle SuperSonics.
Shawn Travis Kemp was born in Elkhart, Indiana in 1969 and entered the NBA directly from high school without playing college basketball. Seattle SuperSonics selected him 17th overall in the 1989 NBA Draft. His 14-season career produced 14.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game and six All-Star appearances. His partnership with Gary Payton at Seattle created one of the most entertaining and dynamic teams of the 1990s, reaching the NBA Finals in 1996 and losing to Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls in six games. He was nicknamed Reign Man — a play on the Seattle rainfall and his dominant inside game. His explosive dunking ability — he threw down some of the most ferocious dunks of any power forward in NBA history — made him appointment television every night. He averaged 19.6 points and 11.4 rebounds per game in his peak 1995-96 season. His career was disrupted by personal issues and weight gain following his trade from Seattle, but his peak years with the SuperSonics established him as one of the most physically gifted big men of his era. He was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.
High-flying dunks and athleticism during Sonics playoff runs
How They Played
Athletic power forward known for thunderous dunks and rebounding
Lasting Impact
One of the most athletic power forwards of the 1990s
Career Honours
- All-Star 6x
- All-NBA Second Team 2x
- Olympic Gold Medal (1994 World Championships)
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle SuperSonics | 1989–1997 | 554 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 1997–2000 | 178 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 2000–2002 | 68 |
| Orlando Magic | 2002–2003 | 42 |
American Athletes