Professional Basketball Player. For five seasons (2001 to 2003, and 2004 to 2007), he played at the forward position in the National Basketball Association with the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves. Born Eddie Jamaal Griffin, he made his first imprint on the sport while attending Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia and earned Parade Magazine's National Player of the Year honors during his senior year. He continued his athletic excellence on the collegiate level at Seton Hall and received All-American mention recognition, while establishing himself as one of the school's all-time greats. Selected by the New Jersey Nets during the 1st round (7th overall pick) of the 2001 NBA Draft, he would be acquired by Houston. It was while with the Rockets when Griffith yielded career-highs in points (664) and total rebounds (461). In 303 regular season games, he compiled 2,171 points with 1,744 rebounds. Traced back to his high school years, Griffin became known for mood swings (which led to fits of violence) and severe depression. These traits followed him throughout his professional career and would be fueled further from alcohol abuse. Sadly, he was never able to control the demons that tortured his mental state. His life ended in a violent accident, when the vehicle he was driving collided with a moving freight train outside of Houston.
Professional Basketball Player. For five seasons (2001 to 2003, and 2004 to 2007), he played at the forward position in the National Basketball Association with the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves. Born Eddie Jamaal Griffin, he made his first imprint on the sport while attending Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia and earned Parade Magazine's National Player of the Year honors during his senior year. He continued his athletic excellence on the collegiate level at Seton Hall and received All-American mention recognition, while establishing himself as one of the school's all-time greats. Selected by the New Jersey Nets during the 1st round (7th overall pick) of the 2001 NBA Draft, he would be acquired by Houston. It was while with the Rockets when Griffith yielded career-highs in points (664) and total rebounds (461). In 303 regular season games, he compiled 2,171 points with 1,744 rebounds. Traced back to his high school years, Griffin became known for mood swings (which led to fits of violence) and severe depression. These traits followed him throughout his professional career and would be fueled further from alcohol abuse. Sadly, he was never able to control the demons that tortured his mental state. His life ended in a violent accident, when the vehicle he was driving collided with a moving freight train outside of Houston.
Bio by: C.S.
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