Steve Francis

Steven D’Shawn Francis (February 21, 1977-) was the first player to lead two unbeaten junior college teams to the National Junior College Tournament before transferring to the University of Maryland as a junior. With Francis playing point guard, the Terrapins reached number two in the national rankings and Steve was named an All-ACC First Team and All-ACC Tournament Team selection. After declaring for the NBA draft as a junior, the Vancouver Grizzlies took the 1998-99 NCAA AP All-American with the second overall pick of the 1999 NBA Draft. Without ever playing for Vancouver and Steve refusing to report, the Grizzlies traded Francis to the Houston Rockets in August to begin his career. He scored 1,388 points, 409 rebounds and 507 assists in his first season to earn a share of the coveted 2000 NBA Rookie of the Year Award with Chicago Bulls’ Elton Brand and NBA All-Rookie First Team honors. Steve played nine years in the NBA with the Rockets (1999-2004, 2007-08), the Orlando Magic (2004-2006) and the New York Knicks (2005-2007). Steve played in three NBA All-Star Games and finished his career in the Chinese Basketball Association with the Beijing Ducks. Steve Francis finished his NBA career with 10,446 points, 3,215 total rebounds, 846 steals and 3,473 assists.