Kevin Garnett Biography: Kevin Maurice Garnett born May 19, 1976 is a retired American professional basketball player who spent 21 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Widely known by his nickname “The Big Ticket,” Garnett is regarded as one of the all-time great power forwards, celebrated for his intensity, versatility, and exceptional defensive skills.
Kevin Garnett Biography
Kevin Garnett is a retired American professional basketball player who spent 21 seasons in the NBA. Renowned for his fierce competitiveness, defensive dominance, and all-around versatility, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards in basketball history. Garnett is one of only four players in NBA history to have earned both the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Defensive Player of the Year honors. He entered the NBA straight from high school, being selected fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1995 NBA Draft—becoming the first player in two decades to make the leap directly from high school to the pros. Garnett quickly made a name for himself, helping lead the Timberwolves to eight straight playoff appearances. His standout 2004 season included an MVP win and a trip to the Western Conference Finals.
Kevin Garnett Biography 2025 Details
| Born | May 19, 1976 Greenville, South Carolina, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Listed height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
| Listed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| High school |
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| NBA draft | 1995: 1st round, 5th overall pick |
| Drafted by | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Playing career | 1995–2016 |
| Position | Power forward |
| Number | 21, 5, 2 |
| Category | Football Biographies |
Kevin Garnett Achievements
As of 2024, he remains one of just five players in NBA history to have earned both the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Defensive Player of the Year honors. Garnett gained national attention as a high school basketball star at Farragut Career Academy, where he was named a 1995 McDonald’s All-American and received national player of the year accolades. That same year, he declared for the NBA draft and was selected fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves, becoming the first player in two decades to be drafted straight out of high school.
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About Kevin Garnett
Kevin Maurice Garnett is an American former professional basketball player who played 21 seasons in the National Basketball Association. Nicknamed “the Big Ticket,” Garnett is considered one of the greatest power forwards of all time, known for his intensity, versatility, and defensive ability.
Kevin Garnett Wiki
- Born: 19 May 1976 (age 48 years), Greenville, South Carolina, United States
- Dates joined: 19 February 2015 (Minnesota Timberwolves) ·
- Teammates: Ray Allen, Vince Carter, Gary Payton, Jason Kidd ·
- Number: 21 (Minnesota Timberwolves / Small forward, Power forward) ·
- Career end: 2016
- Education: Farragut Career Academy IB World School, Mauldin High School
- Height: 2.11 m
Early Life
Kevin Garnett was born on May 19, 1976, in Greenville, South Carolina. He is the middle child in his family, with two sisters. Raised primarily by his mother, Shirley Garnett, and his stepfather, Garnett had minimal involvement with his biological father, O’Lewis McCullough, as his parents separated shortly after his birth. Garnett discovered his passion for basketball while attending Hillcrest Middle School, though he didn’t begin playing organized basketball until high school. He spent his first three high school years at Mauldin High School in Mauldin, South Carolina, where he played for the school’s basketball team.
However, before his senior year, Garnett was caught up in a racially charged altercation involving black and white students. Though he was not actively involved in the fight, he was one of three students arrested on second-degree lynching charges. The charges were later expunged through a pre-trial intervention program.
Endorsements and Brand Collaborations
Kevin Garnett has had a robust endorsement portfolio, partnering with major global brands like Adidas, Nike, and AND1. He reportedly signed a lifetime deal with Adidas in 2003, although the specific terms were never publicly disclosed. In addition, Garnett promoted Nike products and endorsed AND1 shoes during his early days with the Timberwolves. These endorsement deals added millions to his income and played a significant role in maintaining his financial status off the court.
Business Ventures and Investments
In addition to basketball and endorsements, Garnett is also a savvy investor. He has invested in luxury real estate, startups, and sports-related ventures. He has even expressed interest in sports ownership, including an effort to purchase the Timberwolves with a group of investors, with a proposed investment of up to $200 million. Garnett has made multiple high-profile real estate transactions. In 2003, he purchased a property on Los Angeles’s Pacific Coast Highway for $6.4 million.</p>
After extensive renovations costing nearly $1.3 million, he attempted to sell it in 2018 for $19.9 million but later withdrew it from the m
arket. He also owned a property in Concord, Massachusetts, which he sold in 2014 for $3.63 million—at a loss from his original purchase price of $4.62 million. Garnett bought a 16,010-square-foot mansion in Long Lake, Minnesota, for $6.1 million, adding to his growing portfolio of high-end properties.
Garnett’s Car Collection
Kevin Garnett is also known for his love of luxury cars. He has publicly shared his enthusiasm for high-end vehicles, including owning a Porsche, Bentley, and Range Rover. His passion for luxury automobiles reflects his larger-than-life personality on and off the court.
Charitable Contributions and Foundation Work
Beyond his financial success, Garnett is deeply involved in philanthropy. He co-founded a non-profit initiative called CGG along with Denver George and Charles Johnson. The mission of CGG is to construct affordable housing units, with each project expected to include 100 to 150 residences. Garnett also donated $1.2 million to Oprah Winfrey’s Angel Network, helping build 24 homes over two years. He has contributed to disaster relief efforts, including $100,000 for tsunami aid in Malaysia, and participated in charity basketball games for causes like Hurricane Katrina relief. He established the Kevin Garnett Foundation during his time in the NBA, aiming to support youth and community development programs.
Kevin Garnett Net Worth 2025
Kevin Garnett’s estimated net worth stands at $120 million to $130 million. His wealth comes primarily from his long and successful NBA career, endorsement deals, business ventures, and investments. Widely regarded as one of the most dominant power forwards in NBA history, Garnett played from 1995 to 2016 and was one of the highest-paid athletes in the sport. Known by nicknames such as “KG,” “The Big Ticket,” and “The Franchise,” Garnett earned $28 million in his highest-paid season alone. He began his professional journey with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1995 and signed multiple high-value contracts throughout his two-decade-long NBA career.
Kevin Garnett’s Salary History
In his final NBA season, Garnett earned a salary of $12 million. In addition to his NBA earnings, he brought in substantial income through endorsement deals during his playing years. Over the course of his career, Garnett made approximately $334.3 million in salary alone, making him one of the top earners in league history—second only to LeBron James in total NBA contract earnings. In recent years, Garnett’s reported net worth was $100 million in 2020, $115 million in 2021, and $122 million in 2022, showing steady financial growth even after retirement.
FAQs
Where did Kevin Garnett grow up?
Kevin Garnett was born in Greenville, South Carolina, and grew up there with his mother and stepfather. He later moved to Chicago, Illinois, for his senior year of high school.
Why did Kevin Garnett transfer high schools?
Garnett transferred from Mauldin High School in South Carolina to Farragut Career Academy in Chicago after being arrested during a racially charged incident. Though he wasn’t directly involved, he feared becoming a target and decided to leave the area.
What high school did Kevin Garnett attend in Chicago?
Garnett attended Farragut Career Academy on Chicago’s West Side for his senior year of high school, where he gained national recognition for his basketball talent.
Who did Kevin Garnett play with in high school?
While at Farragut Career Academy, Kevin Garnett played alongside Ronnie Fields, a highly regarded basketball talent who also went on to play professionally.
What were Kevin Garnett’s high school basketball stats?
During his senior year, Garnett averaged 25.2 points, 17.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 6.5 blocks per game, with a shooting percentage of 66.8% from the field. Over his entire high school career, he scored 2,553 points, grabbed 1,809 rebounds, and blocked 737 shots.
What awards did Kevin Garnett win in high school?
Garnett was named National High School Player of the Year by USA Today and also earned the title of Mr. Basketball for the state of Illinois in his senior year.