Who is Shawn Kemp?
Shawn Travis Kemp Sr. is a professional American former basketball player who played for the Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Orlando Magic in the NBA (National Basketball Association). Nicknamed “Reign Man” he was a six-time NBA All-Star and a three-time All-NBA Second Team member.
How Old Is Shawn Kemp?
He is 53 years old as of March 2023, having been born on November 26, 1969, in Elkhart, Indiana, U.S. Shawn Kemp shares his birthdate with celebrities such as; DJ Khaled, Rita Ora, Anuel AA, Tina Turner, Olivia O’Brien, and many more.
Shawn Kemp Family
Who are Shawn Kemp’s Parents?
He was born to Barbara Kemp (Mother). However, his father’s name and whereabouts are not mentioned on the internet.
Does Shawn Kemp have Siblings?
News on the internet shows that he has a sister by the name of Lisa.
Shawn Kemp Education
He received his high school education at Concord High School There, he was at the prestigious B/C All-Star Camp on his first day. A four-year starter, he was considered to be one of the top four or five players nationally in his senior year. Overall, he ended his high school career as Elkhart County’s all-time leading scorer and the owner of Concord’s career, single-game, and single-season scoring records. After high school, he attended The University of Kentucky and then transferred to Trinity Valley Community College.
Shawn Kemp’s Marital Status
He is married to the love of his life Marvena L. Thomas. She is best known for her work as the Founder & Director of the Marvin Thomas Foundation. They married in 2001.
Shawn Kemp Kids
He has seven kids with different women. Two of his kids’ names are Shawn Kemp Jr. (born in 1991) and Jamon Kemp. However, her other kids’ names are not mentioned on the internet and neither are her baby mommas.
Shawn Travis Professional Career
A Career with the Seattle SuperSonics (1989-1997)
He was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round of the 1989 NBA draft. Although extremely athletic, at that time he was the youngest player in the NBA and struggled to find his place. In his first season in Seattle, he was mentored heavily by teammates Xavier McDaniel. During his second season with the SuperSonics, he began to find his place in the NBA. Together with Gary Payton, Eddie Johnson, Nate McMillan, and Ricky Pierec, they became a highly successful squad.
After his second NBA season, he picked up the nickname “Reign Man” after the SuperSonics’ announcer Kevin Calabro saw a poster with the name and thought it fitting to add to his radio broadcasts. His career peaked in 1995-96 when he and Payton led the team to a franchise record of 64 wins and their first NBA Finals appearance since 1979. They went on and faced Michael Jordan and Chicago Bulls who were coming off an NBA record 72 wins. During his time in Seattle, he occasionally played during the offseason on an outdoor court in Seattle’s Belltown district. In 1994, he signed a contract extension with SuperSonics.
During his time, the SuperSonics signed Jim Mcllvaine to a seven-year, $33.6 million contract, exceeding Kemp’s salary. In the upcoming 1997-97 season, he threatened to refuse to play and thus held out of training camp for 22 days. Despite this absence, he helped lead the SuperSonics to another 50-plus-win season as they dispatched the Phoenix Suns in five games in the first round. Following the 1996-97 season, he was part of a trade sending him to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Milwaukee Bucks forward Vin Baker to the Supersonics. And Terrell Brandon and Tyrone Hill from the Cavaliers to the Bucks.
A Career with the Cleveland Cavaliers (1997-2000)
With the Cavaliers, he played three seasons while batting with weight problems and often appeared to lack the drive that made him such a force in Seattle. Despite this, he posted career-high numbers for points per game in 1997-98 and led the Cavaliers to the NBA Playoffs where they faced the Reggie Miller-led Indiana Pacers. However, the Cavaliers lost to the Pacers in four games despite Kemp averaging 26 points with 13 rebounds per game in the series. He reportedly showed up to training camp weighing 280 pounds during the lockout-shortened 1998-1999 NBA season. Though Cleveland’s then-general manager Wayne Embry revealed that he was actually 315 pounds. Though unable to lose the weight, he still managed to average 20.5 points and 9.2 rebounds.
A Career with the Portland Trail Blazers (2000-2002)
After the 1999-2000 season, he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. The trade reunited Kemp with Bob Whitsitt who originally had brought Kemp to Seattle. However, his play began to decline significantly. His first season in Portland ended early when he entered drug rehabilitation. However, he was waived prior to the 2002-03 season, after two seasons with the Blazers.
A Career with the Orlando Magic (2002-2003)
He was signed as a free agent for the Magic. And went on to help the Magic reach the playoffs despite the loss of starting small forward Grant Hill. During his lone season, he played in his 1000th NBA game. Following the 2002-03 season, he was replaced by free-agent forward Juwan Howard.
Comeback attempts and retirement
His comeback chances looked promising in April of the 2005-06 NBA season. Maverick’s coach considered adding Kemp to their roster in time for the NBA playoffs. And thus Mav’s coach and former Sonic teammate, Avery Johnson scheduled a personal workout to take place in Houston where he trained for several months. Three months after a drug test, in June 2006 the Denver Post reported that Kemp had slimmed down to the playing weight of his All-Star days and was determined to join an NBA team, possibly the Denver Nuggets, and finish his career “the right way”.
Ultimately, the Nuggets turned their attention away from Kemp signing power forward Reggie Evans. In September 2006, he drew some interest from the Chicago Bulls but missed his scheduled workout. He was announced on November 5, 2006, as one of the 16 members of the SuperSonics’ 40-year anniversary team during the half-time of the SuperSonic’s game. However, he did not secure a position on the NBA roster during the 2006-07 season. On August 18, 2008, he signed a one-year contract with Premiata Montegranaro of the Italian League. Despite being 39, he was said to be in good shape. He and Premiata Montegranaro decided to part ways and the contract was rescinded. After his career, he tried to bring basketball back to Seattle.
An Acting Career
He had a cameo in the Aqua Teen Hunger Force movie Plantasm.
Shawn Kemp Height and Measurements
Adding up to her well-built body is a height of 6ft 10 inches (2.08m) and a weight of 127kg (280 lbs).
Shawn Kemp’s Salary and Net Worth
From his basketball career, he has a decent salary, thus he has a salary of $0.5 million+. And a net worth of $5 million.