Cuttino Mobley
Encyclopedia
Cuttino Rashawn Mobley is a former American
professional basketball shooting guard
who played from 1998 to 2008 in the National Basketball Association
(NBA).
section of Philadelphia. After graduating from grade school, Mobley attended Cardinal Dougherty High School
, transferred to Maine Central Institute
in 1992, and graduated in 1993. After high school, he attended the University of Rhode Island
from 1993 to 1998 and redshirted his first year. At Rhode Island, he helped lead the Rams
team to an Elite Eight
appearance in the 1998 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
and graduated with a degree in communication studies. He was selected in the second round (41st overall) of the 1998 NBA Draft
by the Houston Rockets
. Mobley started at the shooting guard position, where he and Steve Francis
formed one of the NBA's elite scoring backcourts. Mobley was a key in the rebuilding of the franchise. He played with them for six seasons before being shipped to the Orlando Magic
along with Steve Francis
and Kelvin Cato
for Tracy McGrady
in the 2004 offseason. After playing 23 games with the Magic, though, he was traded to the Sacramento Kings
for Doug Christie
. Mobley ranked third in the league in three-point
percentage during the 2004–2005 season. He signed a five-year US$
42 million deal with the Clippers on July 14, 2005. Besides being known for his three-point shooting, he also relies heavily on his post-up game. In addition, he also ran the Clutch City shootout contest in Houston during his Rockets years. Mobley, along with Sam Cassell
and Elton Brand
, led the Clippers to the 2006 NBA playoffs
.
On January 28, 2005, Mobley's home was burglarized
. Thieves stole $500,000 in cash, jewelry, and other items from Mobley's Bel-Air, California
home.
Mobley's half-brother, Daniel Smith, was a wide receiver
for the National Football League
's Carolina Panthers
. He is also the cousin of former NFL linebacker John Mobley
.
On November 21, 2008, Mobley and Tim Thomas
were traded to the New York Knicks
for Zach Randolph
and Mardy Collins
. Mobley averaged 13.9 points per game as a member of the Clippers. This deal was delayed, for during Mobley's physical, the Knicks discovered he has a heart condition. Because the Knicks initially made the deal for salary cap
reasons, they decided to finalize the deal regardless. However, on November 28, 2008, it was reported that the heart condition "may be career-ending."
that was disclosed in a physical exam. This is the same heart illness suffered by Reggie Lewis
, who died in 1993, and Hank Gathers
, who died in 1990. Although he retired as a Knick, Mobley did not play a game for the team before retiring.
On April 5, 2010, the New York Knicks announced Mobley's formal release after the league approved their request for luxury tax
relief.
"Native Son" Award.
| align="left" | 1998–99
| align="left" | Houston
| 49 || 37 || 29.7 || .425 || .358 || .818 || 2.3 || 2.5 || .9 || .5 || 9.9
|-
| align="left" | 1999–00
| align="left" | Houston
| 81 || 8 || 30.8 || .430 || .356 || .847 || 3.6 || 2.6 || 1.1 || .4 || 15.8
|-
| align="left" | 2000–01
| align="left" | Houston
| 79 || 49 || 38.0 || .434 || .357 || .831 || 5.0 || 2.5 || 1.1 || .3 || 19.5
|-
| align="left" | 2001–02
| align="left" | Houston
| 74 || 74 || 42.1 || .438 || .395 || .850 || 4.1 || 2.5 || 1.5 || .5 || 21.7
|-
| align="left" | 2002–03
| align="left" | Houston
| 73 || 73 || 41.7 || .434 || .352 || .858 || 4.2 || 2.8 || 1.3 || .5 || 17.5
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Houston
| 80 || 80 || 40.4 || .426 || .390 || .811 || 4.5 || 3.2 || 1.3 || .4 || 15.8
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Orlando
| 23 || 21 || 31.6 || .432 || .464 || .797 || 2.7 || 1.8 || 1.0 || .4 || 16.0
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Sacramento
| 43 || 43 || 38.7 || .440 || .424 || .831 || 3.9 || 3.4 || 1.2 || .5 || 17.8
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 79 || 74 || 37.7 || .426 || .339 || .839 || 4.3 || 3.0 || 1.2 || .5 || 14.8
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 78 || 73 || 36.4 || .440 || .411 || .837 || 3.4 || 2.5 || 1.2 || .3 || 13.8
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 77 || 38 || 35.1 || .433 || .349 || .819 || 3.6 || 2.6 || 1.0 || .4 || 12.8
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 11 || 11 || 33.2 || .432 || .343 || .722 || 2.6 || 1.1 || 1.4 || .2 || 13.7
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 747 || 581 || 37.0 || .433 || .378 || .835 || 3.9 || 2.7 || 1.2 || .4 || 16.0
| align="left" | 1998–99
| align="left" | Houston
| 4 || 4 || 23.5 || .467 || .571 || .909 || 1.0 || 2.8 || .5 || .0 || 7.0
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Houston
| 5 || 5 || 42.0 || .387 || .286 || .800 || 4.8 || 2.8 || .6 || .6 || 14.4
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Sacramento
| 5 || 5 || 31.8 || .443 || .280 || .714 || 2.8 || 1.8 || 1.2 || .4 || 14.8
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 12 || 12 || 39.4 || .427 || .367 || .897 || 4.8 || 2.0 || .7 || .2 || 13.3
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 26 || 26 || 36.0 || .422 || .337 || .860 || 3.8 || 2.2 || .7 || .3 || 12.8
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball shooting guard
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
who played from 1998 to 2008 in the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
(NBA).
Biography
Cuttino, also known as the "Cat," attended Incarnation of Our Lord grade school in the OlneyOlney, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Olney is a neighborhood in the North Philadelphia section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It is roughly bounded by the Roosevelt Boulevard to the south, Tacony Creek to the east, Godfrey Avenue to the north, and the railroad right-of-way west of Sixth Street to the west.Although...
section of Philadelphia. After graduating from grade school, Mobley attended Cardinal Dougherty High School
Cardinal Dougherty High School
Cardinal Dougherty High School was a private, Roman Catholic high school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia...
, transferred to Maine Central Institute
Maine Central Institute
The Maine Central Institute , is an independent high school, founded in 1866, located in Pittsfield, Maine, in the United States. The school enrolls approximately 500 students. MCI is a nonsectarian institution. The school has both boarding students and day students.-History:The Maine Central...
in 1992, and graduated in 1993. After high school, he attended the University of Rhode Island
University of Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island is the principal public research university in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Its main campus is located in Kingston. Additional campuses include the Feinstein Campus in Providence, the Narragansett Bay Campus in Narragansett, and the W. Alton Jones Campus in West...
from 1993 to 1998 and redshirted his first year. At Rhode Island, he helped lead the Rams
Rhode Island Rams
The Rhode Island Rams are the athletic programs of the University of Rhode Island, based in Kingston, Rhode Island, USA. The school sponsors 18 athletic programs , most of which compete in the NCAA's Division I Atlantic 10 Conference. The football team, however, competes in the Colonial Athletic...
team to an Elite Eight
Elite Eight
The term Elite Eight, or less commonly called "Great Eight", refers to the final eight teams in the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship or the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship; and, thus, represents the national quarterfinals. In Division I, the Elite Eight consists of the...
appearance in the 1998 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
1998 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1998 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 12, 1998, and ended with the championship game on March 30 at the Alamodome in San Antonio,...
and graduated with a degree in communication studies. He was selected in the second round (41st overall) of the 1998 NBA Draft
1998 NBA Draft
The 1998 NBA Draft took place on June 24, 1998 at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This draft helped turn around three struggling franchises: the Dallas Mavericks, the Sacramento Kings, and the Toronto Raptors....
by the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
. Mobley started at the shooting guard position, where he and Steve Francis
Steve Francis
Steven D'Shawn Francis is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association. He had also played for the Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, and New York Knicks...
formed one of the NBA's elite scoring backcourts. Mobley was a key in the rebuilding of the franchise. He played with them for six seasons before being shipped to the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
along with Steve Francis
Steve Francis
Steven D'Shawn Francis is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association. He had also played for the Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, and New York Knicks...
and Kelvin Cato
Kelvin Cato
- College career :Cato was an obscure player averaging six points and six rebounds at the University of South Alabama in 1992-93. At that time, he struck up a relationship with then University of New Orleans coach Tim Floyd, who recognized Cato's potential. In 1994, Floyd took over as head coach...
for Tracy McGrady
Tracy McGrady
Tracy Lamar McGrady, Jr., is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Detroit Pistons.Entering the league after graduating from high school, McGrady eventually became a seven-time All-Star. He led the league in scoring in 2003 and 2004. He has also played for the Toronto...
in the 2004 offseason. After playing 23 games with the Magic, though, he was traded to the Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
for Doug Christie
Doug Christie (basketball)
Douglas Dale Christie is a retired American basketball player.-Early life:Christie is the son of John Malone and Norma Christie...
. Mobley ranked third in the league in three-point
Three-point field goal
A three-point field goal is a field goal in a basketball game, made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc radiating from the basket...
percentage during the 2004–2005 season. He signed a five-year US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
42 million deal with the Clippers on July 14, 2005. Besides being known for his three-point shooting, he also relies heavily on his post-up game. In addition, he also ran the Clutch City shootout contest in Houston during his Rockets years. Mobley, along with Sam Cassell
Sam Cassell
Samuel James "Sam" Cassell , is a retired American professional basketball player who is an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards. The , point guard was selected out of Florida State University by the Houston Rockets with the 24th overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft...
and Elton Brand
Elton Brand
Elton Tyron Brand is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association...
, led the Clippers to the 2006 NBA playoffs
2006 NBA Playoffs
The 2006 NBA Playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2005–06 season. The Miami Heat won the first championship in the history of the franchise by defeating the Dallas Mavericks 4-2 in the 2006 NBA Finals...
.
On January 28, 2005, Mobley's home was burglarized
Burglary
Burglary is a crime, the essence of which is illicit entry into a building for the purposes of committing an offense. Usually that offense will be theft, but most jurisdictions specify others which fall within the ambit of burglary...
. Thieves stole $500,000 in cash, jewelry, and other items from Mobley's Bel-Air, California
Bel-Air, Los Angeles, California
Bel Air is an affluent residential community in the hills of the Westside of the city of Los Angeles, California. Together with Beverly Hills and Holmby Hills it forms the Platinum Triangle of Los Angeles neighborhoods....
home.
Mobley's half-brother, Daniel Smith, was a wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
for the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
. He is also the cousin of former NFL linebacker John Mobley
John Mobley
John Ulysses Mobley is a former American Football linebacker who played eight seasons for the Denver Broncos from 1996 through 2003 in the National Football League....
.
On November 21, 2008, Mobley and Tim Thomas
Tim Thomas (basketball)
Timothy Mark "Tim" Thomas is an American professional basketball player, in the small forward position.-High school / College:...
were traded to the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
for Zach Randolph
Zach Randolph
Zachary Randolph , nicknamed Z-Bo, is an American professional basketball player currently with the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA...
and Mardy Collins
Mardy Collins
Maurice Rodney "Mardy" Collins is an American professional basketball player. He completed his college basketball career at Temple University, and was drafted by the New York Knicks with the 29th pick of the first round of the 2006 NBA Draft.-High school:Collins attended Simon Gratz High School in...
. Mobley averaged 13.9 points per game as a member of the Clippers. This deal was delayed, for during Mobley's physical, the Knicks discovered he has a heart condition. Because the Knicks initially made the deal for salary cap
NBA Salary Cap
The NBA salary cap is the limit to the total amount of money that National Basketball Association teams are allowed to pay their players. This limit is subject to a complex system of rules and exceptions and as such is considered a "soft" cap....
reasons, they decided to finalize the deal regardless. However, on November 28, 2008, it was reported that the heart condition "may be career-ending."
Retirement
On December 10, 2008, Mobley announced his retirement due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathyHypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease of the myocardium in which a portion of the myocardium is hypertrophied without any obvious cause...
that was disclosed in a physical exam. This is the same heart illness suffered by Reggie Lewis
Reggie Lewis
Reggie Lewis was an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Boston Celtics from 1987 to 1993.-Early life:...
, who died in 1993, and Hank Gathers
Hank Gathers
Eric "Hank" Gathers was an American college basketball star at Loyola Marymount University who collapsed and died during a game. He was the second player in NCAA Division I history to lead the nation in scoring and rebounding in the same season...
, who died in 1990. Although he retired as a Knick, Mobley did not play a game for the team before retiring.
On April 5, 2010, the New York Knicks announced Mobley's formal release after the league approved their request for luxury tax
Luxury tax (sports)
A luxury tax in professional sports is a surcharge put on the aggregate payroll of a team to the extent to which it exceeds a predetermined guideline level set by the league...
relief.
Personal life
In 2008, Mobley was named the recipient of the Philadelphia Sports Writers AssociationPhiladelphia Sports Writers Association
The Philadelphia Sports Writers Association was founded on May 12, 1904, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US. The first of what would become an annual Awards Dinner was held on February 15, 1905.-Awards:...
"Native Son" Award.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 1998–99
| align="left" | Houston
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
| 49 || 37 || 29.7 || .425 || .358 || .818 || 2.3 || 2.5 || .9 || .5 || 9.9
|-
| align="left" | 1999–00
| align="left" | Houston
| 81 || 8 || 30.8 || .430 || .356 || .847 || 3.6 || 2.6 || 1.1 || .4 || 15.8
|-
| align="left" | 2000–01
| align="left" | Houston
| 79 || 49 || 38.0 || .434 || .357 || .831 || 5.0 || 2.5 || 1.1 || .3 || 19.5
|-
| align="left" | 2001–02
| align="left" | Houston
| 74 || 74 || 42.1 || .438 || .395 || .850 || 4.1 || 2.5 || 1.5 || .5 || 21.7
|-
| align="left" | 2002–03
| align="left" | Houston
| 73 || 73 || 41.7 || .434 || .352 || .858 || 4.2 || 2.8 || 1.3 || .5 || 17.5
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Houston
| 80 || 80 || 40.4 || .426 || .390 || .811 || 4.5 || 3.2 || 1.3 || .4 || 15.8
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Orlando
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
| 23 || 21 || 31.6 || .432 || .464 || .797 || 2.7 || 1.8 || 1.0 || .4 || 16.0
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Sacramento
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
| 43 || 43 || 38.7 || .440 || .424 || .831 || 3.9 || 3.4 || 1.2 || .5 || 17.8
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
| 79 || 74 || 37.7 || .426 || .339 || .839 || 4.3 || 3.0 || 1.2 || .5 || 14.8
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 78 || 73 || 36.4 || .440 || .411 || .837 || 3.4 || 2.5 || 1.2 || .3 || 13.8
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 77 || 38 || 35.1 || .433 || .349 || .819 || 3.6 || 2.6 || 1.0 || .4 || 12.8
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 11 || 11 || 33.2 || .432 || .343 || .722 || 2.6 || 1.1 || 1.4 || .2 || 13.7
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 747 || 581 || 37.0 || .433 || .378 || .835 || 3.9 || 2.7 || 1.2 || .4 || 16.0
Playoffs
|-| align="left" | 1998–99
1999 NBA Playoffs
The 1999 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1998-99 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs by defeating the eighth-seeded Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks four games to one...
| align="left" | Houston
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
| 4 || 4 || 23.5 || .467 || .571 || .909 || 1.0 || 2.8 || .5 || .0 || 7.0
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
2004 NBA Playoffs
The 2004 NBA Playoffs were the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2003–04 season. Consisting of 16 teams in two conferences, the playoffs involved about two months of play. The playoffs were conducted in seven-game series, with the team with the better record holding home court...
| align="left" | Houston
| 5 || 5 || 42.0 || .387 || .286 || .800 || 4.8 || 2.8 || .6 || .6 || 14.4
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
2005 NBA Playoffs
The 2005 NBA Playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2004–05 season.The San Antonio Spurs, the number two ranked team in the Western Conference, won the 2005 NBA Playoffs by defeating the defending champions, the Detroit Pistons, 4-3 in the NBA Finals...
| align="left" | Sacramento
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
| 5 || 5 || 31.8 || .443 || .280 || .714 || 2.8 || 1.8 || 1.2 || .4 || 14.8
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
2006 NBA Playoffs
The 2006 NBA Playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2005–06 season. The Miami Heat won the first championship in the history of the franchise by defeating the Dallas Mavericks 4-2 in the 2006 NBA Finals...
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
| 12 || 12 || 39.4 || .427 || .367 || .897 || 4.8 || 2.0 || .7 || .2 || 13.3
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 26 || 26 || 36.0 || .422 || .337 || .860 || 3.8 || 2.2 || .7 || .3 || 12.8
External links
- Player profile at NBA.com
- Rhode Island Rams biography (archived from 1996)
- Cuttino Mobley Pictures @ Clippers Topbuzz