Hakim Warrick

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Hakim Warrick
Position Power forward
Height 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Weight 219 lb (99 kg)
League NBA
Team Memphis Grizzlies
Jersey #21
Born July 8, 1982 (1982-07-08) (age 25)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Nationality American
High school Friends' Central School
College Syracuse
Draft 19th overall, 2005
Memphis Grizzlies
Pro career 2005–present
Official profile Info Page

Hakim Hanif Warrick (born July 8, 1982) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA. Commonly nicknamed "Helicopter" and "Hak"[1], the 6'9", 219 lb forward was a major part the Syracuse Orangemen's run to the 2003 National Championship, often being most remembered for blocking a potential game-tying 3-pointer in the title game. Warrick also has a reputation as a prolific dunker while also possessing a wide arsenal of low-post moves.

Warrick was taken with the 19th pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, and after being used sparingly his first season, he had a breakout second year by more than tripling his scoring output and doubling his rebounds.

Contents

[edit] Personal life

Warrick was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the son of Kenneth Nichols and Queen Warrick and has two brothers, Bill and Tyrell, and a sister, Ciera. Warrick graduated from Syracuse in 2005 with a degree in retail management and consumer studies. Warrick's earliest basketball memory involves monkey bars. "[T]he older guys wouldn't let us on the court and me and my friends used to go over and play basketball on the monkey bars. So that's when I first started dunking and everything."[1]

[edit] High school

Warrick played for Friends' Central School in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. In his senior season, he helped Friends Central to a 23-2 record and the Friends League title with averages of 15.6 points, 13.0 rebounds and 4.8 blocks. It was Friends' Central's first title since 1974. For his efforts, Warrick earned All-Friends League, All-Mainline and all-state honors.[2]

[edit] College

See also: List of college men's basketball players with 2000 points and 1000 rebounds

Even with Friends' Central High School's proximity to several Division I programs such as Pennsylvania, St. Joseph's, Temple, LaSalle and Villanova, none of those schools heavily recruited Warrick.[3] Syracuse was not initially high on Warrick, either, as Warrick was considered a last resort by the Syracuse coaching staff and was only offered a scholarship when All-American recruit Julius Hodge selected North Carolina State over Syracuse.[4]

[edit] Freshman

Warrick appeared in all 35 games his freshman year, starting 19-straight games starting with a game against Binghamton, and remained there until Jan. 28, 2002 against Georgetown. Warrick averaged 6.0 points and 4.3 rebounds and the Orangemen were 15-4 during that stretch.[2] However, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim had to promote James Thues to the starting lineup after DeShaun Williams struggled as the team's starting point guard.[4]

Although the Orange missed the NCAA Tournament, Warrick would play a key role in Syracuse's run to the NIT Final Four. Warrick had 14 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high six blocks in the first-round NIT victory against St. Bonaventure and against Richmond, Warrick had 15 points and 14 rebounds.[2] Still, Warrick's season ended on a sour note, as the Orange lost to Temple in the semifinals 65-54. Warrick, playing in front of his hometown of Philadelphia, struggled throughout the game. Although he finished with 12 points, he was a woeful 2-of-12 from the free-throw line, including four key misses in the finals minutes of the game.[5]

[edit] Sophomore

Warrick started all 35 games in his sophomore year and was named the Big East Most Improved Player after more than doubling his scoring average from the previous year (6.1 to 14.8 ppg) and improving his rebound average by 3.7 boards per game (4.8 to 8.5 rpg). He was also named to the USBWA All-District II Team and the All-Big East Third Team.[2]

Warrick would also play a large role in Syracuse's first National Championship. In the Sweet 16 against Auburn and the Elite 8 against Oklahoma, Warrick averaged 14.0 points and 6.5 rebounds. He was named to the All-East Regional team for his efforts. In the semifinal against Texas, he scored 18 points.[2]

However, Warrick is best known for his blocked shot in the National Championship game against Kansas. Leading by three with under 15 seconds left, Warrick missed two free throws that would've sealed the game with Syracuse hanging on to a three-point lead, 81-78.[6] With 1.5 seconds left and the score still the same, Kansas' Michael Lee was wide-open from the baseline for a potential game-tying 3-pointer. But Warrick used his long arms to block Lee's attempt and Syracuse captured its first ever national championship.[7]

[edit] Team USA

Warrick was one of 16 finalists for the 2003 USA Basketball Men's Pan American Games Team.[2] However, he did not make the cut.[8]

[edit] Junior

After Carmelo Anthony declared early for the NBA Draft, Warrick became the team's top scoring option. He lead the team in scoring (19.8) and rebounds (8.6), and was named to the second-team All-America teams by ESPN.com and The Sporting News. He was also a finalist for three national player of the year awards – the Naismith, Rupp and Wooden awards and was a first-team All-Big East selection.[2]

Syracuse advanced to the Sweet 16 and in the second-round game against Maryland, Warrick scored 26 points and added nine rebounds.[9] Over the three NCAA Tournament games, Warrick averaged 22.3 points and 6.3 rebounds an outing.[2]

[edit] Senior

Warrick continued his improvement in his final year, averaging 21.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. He was named the Big East Conference Player of the Year and was a consensus All-American from the Associated Press, CollegeInsider.com, NABC, Rivals.com, Rupp Team and Wooden Team.[2]

Syracuse captured the 2005 Big East Championship. During those three games, and one game in the NCAA Tournament, Warrick led Syracuse with averages of 22.5 points and 12.0 rebounds. However, Warrick's last game at Syracuse was a disappointment, as Syracuse was upset in the first round of the NCAA Tournament when fourth seeded Syracuse was upset 60-57 in overtime by 13th seeded Vermont. Warrick had 21 points in the defeat.[10]

[edit] College legacy

Warrick finished his career with averages of 15.4 points on 53.6% shooting, 7.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. He finished second all-time at Syracuse in free throws made (529) and free throws attempted (803), third for consecutive double-figure scoring games (61) and fourth in points (2,073) and rebounds (1,025).[11]

Warrick also left Syracuse as one of the most prolific dunkers in the school's history, aided by his 7-foot-1 wingspan.[12] Specifically, Warrick is known for two dunks. The first came against the Texas Longhorns in the National Semifinal of the 2003 NCAA tournament. In the second half, Warrick collected a rebound, dribbled once, and leaped over 6-foot-3 Royal Ivey.[13] The dunk, which came with Ivey's face buried in Warrick's midsection, was actually scored an offensive foul. Warrick was impressed at his own feat the following day: "It's one of those things you amaze yourself, you just can't believe you did it."[14]

The second came against Notre Dame on January 10, 2005 in Warrick's senior year. With 17:15 left in the first half, Warrick took an entry pass from Gerry McNamara in the left block, about six feet from the hoop. Warrick was met in the lane by Notre Dame's 6-foot-9, 238-pound power forward, Dennis Latimore. Warrick pumped faked in the lane, and, while flat-footed, leapt over the outstretched arms of Latimore and emphatically slammed the ball with one hand.[15]

[edit] College Statistics

Year[16][17] GP Min Pts FG% FT% 3P% Rebs Asts Stls Blks TOs PFs
'01-02 35 17.4 6.1 55.2 38.3 50.0 4.8 0.5 0.5 0.6 1.1 2.0
'02-03 35 32.7 14.8 54.1 66.7 0.0 8.5 1.6 1.7 1.5 2.6 2.6
'03-04 31 37.3 19.8 50.9 69.2 0.0 8.5 2.6 0.9 1.1 3.1 2.7
'04-05 34 37.5 21.4 54.8 68.1 29.0 8.6 1.5 1.0 0.8 2.5 2.3
TOTALS 135 31.0 15.4 53.6 65.9 25.0 7.6 1.5 0.9 0.9 2.3 2.4

[edit] Professional career

Warrick was projected as high as a lottery pick in the 2005 NBA Draft or as low as a mid-first round pick.[18] Although Warrick's 38-inch vertical jump and a 7-2 wingspan impressed NBA scouts, they were also worried that he was not heavy enough to guard the stronger power forwards in the NBA and did not possess the ballhandling ability associated with small forward.[18] Warrick ended up slipping to the 19th pick, where he was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies.[19]

[edit] 2005-06 season

Warrick appeared in 68 games as a rookie, including two starts, and averaged 4.1 points and 2.1 assists in 10.6 minutes per game playing behind Pau Gasol. On January 31, 2006, Warrick was named to be one of the contestants in the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest during the All-Star Weekend. He came in third place, behind New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson and Philadelphia 76ers forward Andre Iguodala.[20] Warrick would also play in three playoff games in his rookie season as the Grizzlies were swept in four games by the Dallas Mavericks. On April 29, 2006, Warrick scored 11 points, including 7-of-8 free throws in a 94-89 overtime loss.[21] Warrick would also start game four in place of Jake Tsakalidis.[22] Warrick finished the playoff series with averages of 6.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.[23]

[edit] 2006-07 season

Over the summer of 2006 Memphis lost their star forward Gasol to a broken foot, leaving Warrick as one of the team's top options as starting power forward. Warrick would play in all 82 games, including 43 starts.[20] On December 9, 2006 against the Milwaukee Bucks, Warrick recorded career highs in points (31) and rebounds (13) and made all nine of his free throw attempts in a 100-94 loss.[24] He later set a new career high of 16 rebounds in the Grizzlies 116-111 loss to the Phoenix Suns.[24]

Warrick finished the season with averages of 12.7 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game.[23]

[edit] Professional Statistics

[edit] Regular Season

Year[23] GP Min Pts FG% FT% 3P% Rebs Asts Stls Blks TOs PFs
'05-06 82 10.6 4.1 44.3 66.1 0.0 2.1 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.8 1.7
'06-07 82 26.2 12.7 52.4 77.1 0.0 5.1 0.9 0.5 0.4 1.9 2.8
TOTALS 150 19.2 8.8 50.4 74.6 0.0 3.8 0.7 0.4 0.3 1.4 2.3

[edit] Playoffs

Year [23] GP Min Pts FG% FT% 3P% Rebs Asts Stls Blks TOs PFs
'05-06 3 14.3 6.7 25.0 85.7 0.0 2.3 0.0 0.3 0.0 1.3 2.3
TOTALS 3 14.3 6.7 25.0 85.7 0.0 2.3 0.0 0.3 0.0 1.3 2.3

[edit] Player File

Warrick is an incredible athlete with a 38-inch vertical and a 7-foot-2 wingspan. The combination of the two make Warrick an above-average rebounder as well as a prolific dunker. Warrick also has excellent footwork featuring a devastating drop-step, as well as an array of spin moves in the low post. In the past few seasons, Warrick has worked to improve his mid-range jumper, which is reliable out to about the 15-foot range. He also possesses a turnaround shot that, given his leaping ability and wingspan, is very difficult to block.[18]

However, Warrick is also a tweener because he is not strong enough to guard the bigger power forwards in the NBA, and does not possess the ballhandling skills of a small forward. This of course works both ways. Another weakness of Warrick's is his long-range jumper. Despite good form, Warrick cannot shoot consistently from 20 feet from the basket. And, although Warrick showed improvement last season, for the majority of his career, Warrick has been a suspect free-throw shooter.[25]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b Malinowski, Scoop. BioFile: Syracuse's Hakim Warrick. The Daily Orange. Retrieved on 2007-09-09.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Hakim Warrick Profile. SUAthletics.com. Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  3. ^ Gorman, Tim (2005-02-14). Philly's Finest. The Daily Orange. Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  4. ^ a b Warrick went from rough prospect to superstar. The Associated Press (2005-03-04). Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  5. ^ Temple vs. Syracuse. Ticker (2002-03-28). Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  6. ^ Freshmen Anthony, McNamara lead Boeheim to first title. The Associated Press (2003-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  7. ^ Feldman, Bruce (2003-04-07). Warrick's block denies final seconds of deja vu. ESPN The Magazine. Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  8. ^ Warrick Misses Out On Pan American Games. USA Basketball (2003-07-18). Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  9. ^ Warrick's 26 carries 'Cuse to Sweet 16. The Associated Press (2004-03-20). Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  10. ^ Vermont vs. Syracuse. The Associated Press (2005-03-18). Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  11. ^ Grizzlies Select Hakim Warrick with the 19th Pick in the NBA Draft. NBA.com (2005-06-28). Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  12. ^ Kilgore, Adam (2003-11-21). Warrick's eye-popping jams defy basketball purists. The Daily Orange. Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  13. ^ Warrick emulating Anthony for Orangemen. The Associated Press (2003-03-23). Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  14. ^ Landman, Brian (2003-04-07). Collison has ties to Boeheim. St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  15. ^ Baxter, Kim (2006-01-11). Best dunk I've seen. The Post-Standard. Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  16. ^ Syracuse Orange - Hakim Warrick Statistics. ESPN. Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  17. ^ Orangehoops.org - Hakim Warrick Statistics. Orangehoops.org. Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  18. ^ a b c Hakim Warrick Draft Capsule. Yahoo!. Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  19. ^ Hakim Warrick. SI.com. Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  20. ^ a b Hakim Warrick. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  21. ^ Mavericks 94, Grizzlies 89 OT (2006-04-29). Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
  22. ^ Mavericks 102, Grizzlies 76. The Associated Press (2006-05-01). Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
  23. ^ a b c d NBA.com Hakim Warrick Statistics. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  24. ^ a b Milwaukee 100, Memphis 94. The Associated Press (2006-12-08). Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  25. ^ NBADraft.net Hakim Warrick. NBADraft.net. Retrieved on 2007-09-29.

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Memphis Grizzlies current roster

1 Lowry | 2 Navarro | 3 Crittenton | 8 McKie | 11 Conley | 21 Warrick | 22 Gay | 23 Jacobsen | 31 Miličić | 33 Miller | 34 Collins | 35 Cardinal | 44 A. Brown | 54 K. Brown | Coach Iavaroni
v • d • e
2005 NBA Draft
Draft Templates
83 • 84 • 85 • 86 • 87 • 88 • 89 • 90 • 91 • 92 • 93 • 94 • 95 • 96 • 97 • 98 • 99 • 00 • 01 • 02 • 03 • 04 • 05 • 06 • 07 • 08
v • d • e
Syracuse Orangemen 2002-03 NCAA Champions
1 Warrick • 3 McNamara • 5 Pace • 13 Duany • 14 Edelin • 15 Anthony • 24 Gorman • 34 McNeil • 51 Forth • Coach Boeheim