Danny Fortson
Encyclopedia
Daniel Anthony Fortson (born on March 27, 1976) is an American
former professional basketball
player. He played power forward
/center
in the NBA
from 1997 to 2007.
, Fortson grew up in Altoona, Pennsylvania
in a difficult home environment. He did not get along well with his father, who spent some time in jail, while his mother spent some time in the hospital. Fortson had grown up in the same neighborhood as Doug West
and began high school at the same school West attended, Altoona Area High School
. Before starting there, he became friends with a family, whose son played on his AAU
basketball team. He spent two summers living with the family in the well-heeled Pittsburgh suburb of Shaler Township, eighty five mile west of Altoona.
After his sophomore year, he and his mother moved to Shaler and Fortson transferred to Shaler Area High School
for his final two years in high school (1992-1994). He was ruled ineligible his junior year for all but two games and averaged 30 points per game his senior year. He was a member of the prestigious JOTS squads for pre-college basketball prospects.
for 3 years from 1994 to 1997. He owns many of the school scoring records, due in large part to his speed and quickness. School records include a season point total of 624 in 1996.
. He was immediately traded the same day to the Denver Nuggets
. In his first year, he averaged double-digit points and the next year averaged a double-double in both points and rebounds despite being undersized playing the center position. Before the 1999-2000 season, he was once again traded to the Boston Celtics
in a six-player deal. He missed the first 25 games of the season with a stress fracture in his right foot. He was traded to the Toronto Raptors
on February 9, 2000 for Alvin Williams
and Sean Marks
, but the trade was rescinded two days later when Williams failed his physical.
Fortson did not play much with the Celtics and averaged only 7.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Following that season, he was traded to the Golden State Warriors
in a four-team trade. He averaged 16.7 points and 16.3 rebounds per game for the Warriors in the first six games of the 2000-01 season, but those were the only games he would play due to another stress fracture injury in his right foot. He returned the following season, and had the best year of his career averaging 11.2 points and 11.7 rebounds in only 28.8 minutes as the starting center for 76 games. In the 2002-03 season
, Fortson mostly spent his time on the bench as most of his minutes went to Antawn Jamison
and Troy Murphy
. For the fourth time in his career, Fortson was again traded, this time in a nine-player deal to the Dallas Mavericks
.
Fortson averaged only 11 minutes per game for the Mavericks, having to play behind forwards Dirk Nowitzki
and Antoine Walker
. Because of a need for a center who could make a jump shot, the Mavericks swapped Fortson for Calvin Booth
with the Sonics in the offseason of 2004. Quickly, Fortson was back in the rotation and became a fan favorite in Seattle because of his physical play and rebounding prowess.
Fortson is a frequent target of foul calls by referees because of his physical play. As a result, Fortson registered the second-highest technical foul total among all active players during the 2004-05 season
. During the 2005-06 season
, Fortson's popularity and playing time diminished.
After returning from a two-game suspension on January 2, 2006, Fortson called NBA senior vice president of basketball operations Stu Jackson
a "gangster" for the nearly $200,000 in fines Fortson was docked for his latest transgression with an official.
Fortson's rights were renounced by the Thunder on December 22, 2009 after not playing in the NBA since 2007.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. He played power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
/center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
in the NBA
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...
from 1997 to 2007.
Early life
Although born in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, Fortson grew up in Altoona, Pennsylvania
Altoona, Pennsylvania
-History:A major railroad town, Altoona was founded by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1849 as the site for a shop complex. Altoona was incorporated as a borough on February 6, 1854, and as a city under legislation approved on April 3, 1867, and February 8, 1868...
in a difficult home environment. He did not get along well with his father, who spent some time in jail, while his mother spent some time in the hospital. Fortson had grown up in the same neighborhood as Doug West
Doug West
Jeffery Douglas "Doug" West is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6'7" shooting guard/small forward from Villanova University, West was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the 1989 NBA Draft...
and began high school at the same school West attended, Altoona Area High School
Altoona Area High School
Altoona Area High School is the public high school for the Altoona Area School District in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The high school serves the populations living in Altoona, Logan Township, and a small portion of Tyrone Township...
. Before starting there, he became friends with a family, whose son played on his AAU
Amateur Athletic Union
The Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.-History:The AAU was founded in 1888 to...
basketball team. He spent two summers living with the family in the well-heeled Pittsburgh suburb of Shaler Township, eighty five mile west of Altoona.
After his sophomore year, he and his mother moved to Shaler and Fortson transferred to Shaler Area High School
Shaler Area High School
Shaler Area High School serves ninth through twelfth graders in the Shaler Area School District as of September 13, 2008.-History:Shaler Area High School was established in 1971 from the court-ordered merger of Etna borough, Reserve Township, Millvale borough, and Shaler Township high schools...
for his final two years in high school (1992-1994). He was ruled ineligible his junior year for all but two games and averaged 30 points per game his senior year. He was a member of the prestigious JOTS squads for pre-college basketball prospects.
College career
Fortson played for the Cincinnati BearcatsCincinnati Bearcats men's basketball
The Cincinnati Bearcats basketball team is the NCAA Division I men's basketball program of the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio. They currently compete in the Big East Conference and are coached by Mick Cronin. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in...
for 3 years from 1994 to 1997. He owns many of the school scoring records, due in large part to his speed and quickness. School records include a season point total of 624 in 1996.
NBA career
Fortson began his pro career after being drafted 10th overall by the Milwaukee BucksMilwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
. He was immediately traded the same day to the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
. In his first year, he averaged double-digit points and the next year averaged a double-double in both points and rebounds despite being undersized playing the center position. Before the 1999-2000 season, he was once again traded to the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
in a six-player deal. He missed the first 25 games of the season with a stress fracture in his right foot. He was traded to the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
on February 9, 2000 for Alvin Williams
Alvin Williams
Alvin Leon Williams is a retired American professional basketball player of the National Basketball Association, and current Director of Player Development of the Toronto Raptors.-Basketball career:...
and Sean Marks
Sean Marks
Sean Andrew Marks is a New Zealand-American professional basketball player. He is the first native New Zealander to play in the NBA.-Basketball career:...
, but the trade was rescinded two days later when Williams failed his physical.
Fortson did not play much with the Celtics and averaged only 7.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Following that season, he was traded to the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in a four-team trade. He averaged 16.7 points and 16.3 rebounds per game for the Warriors in the first six games of the 2000-01 season, but those were the only games he would play due to another stress fracture injury in his right foot. He returned the following season, and had the best year of his career averaging 11.2 points and 11.7 rebounds in only 28.8 minutes as the starting center for 76 games. In the 2002-03 season
2002-03 NBA season
The 2002–03 NBA season was the 57th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the San Antonio Spurs beating the New Jersey Nets 4-2 in the 2003 NBA Finals.-Notable occurrences:...
, Fortson mostly spent his time on the bench as most of his minutes went to Antawn Jamison
Antawn Jamison
Antawn Cortez Jamison is an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association . He currently plays power forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers and was a member of the USA National Team for the 2006 FIBA World Championships...
and Troy Murphy
Troy Murphy
Troy Brandon Murphy is an American professional basketball power forward who last played with the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. Murphy was born in Morristown, New Jersey but grew up in Sparta Township located in northwest New Jersey...
. For the fourth time in his career, Fortson was again traded, this time in a nine-player deal to the Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
.
Fortson averaged only 11 minutes per game for the Mavericks, having to play behind forwards Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Werner Nowitzki is a German professional basketball player who plays for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association...
and Antoine Walker
Antoine Walker
Antoine Devon Walker is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League...
. Because of a need for a center who could make a jump shot, the Mavericks swapped Fortson for Calvin Booth
Calvin Booth
Calvin Lawrence Booth is an American professional basketball player who is currently a free agent.-College career:...
with the Sonics in the offseason of 2004. Quickly, Fortson was back in the rotation and became a fan favorite in Seattle because of his physical play and rebounding prowess.
Fortson is a frequent target of foul calls by referees because of his physical play. As a result, Fortson registered the second-highest technical foul total among all active players during the 2004-05 season
2004-05 NBA season
The 2004–05 NBA season was the 59th season of the National Basketball Association . It began on November 2, 2004 and ended June 23, 2005. The season ended with the San Antonio Spurs defeating defending champion Detroit Pistons 4–3 in the NBA Finals....
. During the 2005-06 season
2005-06 NBA season
The 2005–06 NBA season was the 60th season of the National Basketball Association. It began on November 1, 2005 and ran through April 19, 2006...
, Fortson's popularity and playing time diminished.
After returning from a two-game suspension on January 2, 2006, Fortson called NBA senior vice president of basketball operations Stu Jackson
Stu Jackson
Stuart Wayne Jackson is an American former head coach and current executive in the National Basketball Association. He has coached two different NBA teams: the New York Knicks in 1990 and 1991, and the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1997; he also has served as the Grizzlies' general manager...
a "gangster" for the nearly $200,000 in fines Fortson was docked for his latest transgression with an official.
Fortson's rights were renounced by the Thunder on December 22, 2009 after not playing in the NBA since 2007.