Renaldo Balkman
Encyclopedia
Renaldo Balkman is an American
professional basketball
player, formerly of the University of South Carolina
. He currently plays for the New York Knicks
of the National Basketball Association
(NBA). He has represented the Puerto Rico national team
in international competition. His nickname is "Taz".
, he was at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida
. At Laurinburg, he led his team to 40-2 record and No. 1 national prep school ranking.
coach Dave Odom
, who instantly saw his potential. According to Odom, "I remember the first time I saw Renaldo Balkman. I was sitting in Orlando in a gym with (South Carolina assistant coach) Barry Sanderson and I asked him 'who is that kid with the dreadlocks? That's the guy we need'. He came back and said nobody knows his name." Balkman was recruited and signed by Carolina, having received little to no interest from any other major basketball programs.
Most Valuable Player, averaging 9.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. Balkman's highlight for the season was a team-leading 28-point, 16-rebound, 4-steal performance in a 67-56 win over Alabama
on February 14, 2006. He was 11 of 15 from the field and also had a team-high 2 blocks.
For the 6-foot-8 Balkman, a defensive banger whose style Knicks general manager Isiah Thomas
had likened to Dennis Rodman
and Ron Artest
, the 2006 NIT MVP award was a fitting capper to a three-year college career that produced 7.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and a .553 shooting average.
, who noted that projected lottery pick Marcus Williams was still available as well as future All-Star
guard Rajon Rondo
. ESPN columnist Bill Simmons
, among others, joked that perhaps Isiah Thomas
thought he was drafting Rolando Blackman
, a former Knicks player and NBA All-Star
. However, other analysts praised Balkman's work ethic and attitude, as he had transformed himself from a relative unknown into a first round NBA draft pick over the course of a few months. There was further controversy when the Knicks' general manager, Isiah Thomas
, claimed that the Phoenix Suns
were prepared to take him; the Suns claimed that he was not even "on [their] radar". In the NBA's official draft guide, which was released to all reporters covering the draft, Balkman was not included in the list of the 300 top players eligible to be drafted in the 2006-07 rookie class. However, the Knicks selected Balkman with their first of two draft picks, which was 20th overall. The Knicks later selected Mardy Collins
with the 29th pick. It has also been speculated that Thomas and the Knicks selected Balkman because his agent, Leon Rose
, was also the agent of then soon-to-be free agent LeBron James
.
In the Las Vegas
Summer League before the 2006-2007 season, Balkman averaged 7.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 1 block and 2.4 turnovers during the span of 5 games. He played along Knick teammates Channing Frye
, David Lee
, Nate Robinson
and Mardy Collins.
along with cash considerations in exchange for Taurean Green
, Bobby Jones, and a second round pick in the 2010 draft. The Knicks quickly waived both Green and Jones, solidifying the fact that the deal was a salary dump. Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni
stated, "Renaldo really had no role after we drafted (Danilo) Gallinari
, and with the emergence of Wilson Chandler
his minutes would be nonexistent, so it really wasn’t fair to him to keep him in a spot that he wouldn’t play and also gives us an opportunity to clear up a roster spot and move on." Said Balkman, "I'm going to make the best of my opportunity. New York was great, but that's in my past now. Denver is my future." Balkman soon carved out an important role in Denver's new defensive-minded gameplan and has solidified his reputation as a high-energy contributor off the bench.
in a blockbuster trade which also brought Carmelo Anthony
, Chauncey Billups
, Shelden Williams
, and Anthony Carter
to New York.
, Balkman played with the Puerto Rico national basketball team
. Puerto Rico
won the gold medal.
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | New York
| 68 || 1 || 15.6 || .505 || .185 || .567 || 4.3 || .6 || .8 || .6 || 4.9
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | New York
| 65 || 0 || 14.6 || .489 || .083 || .432 || 3.3 || .6 || .7 || .5 || 3.4
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Denver
| 53 || 10 || 14.7 || .558 || .286 || .646 || 3.8 || .6 || .9 || .4 || 5.0
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
| align="left" | Denver
| 13 || 1 || 7.0 || .333 || .000 || .333 || 1.8 || .5 || .6 || .2 || 1.1
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left" | Denver
| 5 || 0 || 8.8 || .556 || .000 || .750 || .8 || .4 || .6 || .4 || 2.6
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left" | New York
| 3 || 0 || 6.0 || .250 || .500 || .000 || 1.0 || .0 || .3 || .0 || 1.0
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 207 || 12 || 14.2 || .511 || .164 || .535 || 3.6 || .6 || .8 || .5 || 4.1
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Denver
| 8 || 0 || 2.5 || .333 || .000 || .000 || .5 || .1 || .5 || 0 || .5
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 8 || 0 || 2.5 || .333 || .000 || .000 || .5 || .1 || .5 || 0 || .5
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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, formerly of the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
. He currently plays for 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...
of 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). He has represented the Puerto Rico national team
Puerto Rico national basketball team
The Puerto Rico men's national basketball team represents Puerto Rico in international basketball competitions such as the Olympics, the World Championship, and the Americas Championship...
in international competition. His nickname is "Taz".
High school
Prior to attending Laurinburg InstituteLaurinburg Institute
Laurinburg Institute is a traditionally black preparatory school in Laurinburg, North Carolina. The school was started in 1904 by Emmanuel Monty and Tinny McDuffie at the request of Booker T. Washington....
, he was at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida
Bradenton, Florida
Bradenton is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's 2007 population to be 53,471. Bradenton is the largest Principal City of the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2007 estimated population of 682,833...
. At Laurinburg, he led his team to 40-2 record and No. 1 national prep school ranking.
Recruitment
Balkman was a little known player in high school at the Laurinburg Institute, but he was discovered in 2002 by University of South CarolinaUniversity of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
coach Dave Odom
Dave Odom
Dave Odom is a retired American men's college basketball coach, who most recently coached at the University of South Carolina...
, who instantly saw his potential. According to Odom, "I remember the first time I saw Renaldo Balkman. I was sitting in Orlando in a gym with (South Carolina assistant coach) Barry Sanderson and I asked him 'who is that kid with the dreadlocks? That's the guy we need'. He came back and said nobody knows his name." Balkman was recruited and signed by Carolina, having received little to no interest from any other major basketball programs.
Playing career
Balkman played an integral role in South Carolina's two wins over eventual national champion Florida during the 2005-2006 college basketball season. He was also the 2006 NITNational Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
Most Valuable Player, averaging 9.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. Balkman's highlight for the season was a team-leading 28-point, 16-rebound, 4-steal performance in a 67-56 win over Alabama
Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball
The Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball program has a history of being among the best of the Southeastern Conference . It trails only Kentucky in basketball wins, SEC tournament titles, and SEC regular season titles in the 12-member conference. The team is coached by head coach Anthony Grant,...
on February 14, 2006. He was 11 of 15 from the field and also had a team-high 2 blocks.
For the 6-foot-8 Balkman, a defensive banger whose style Knicks general manager Isiah Thomas
Isiah Thomas
Isiah Lord Thomas III , nicknamed "Zeke",is the men's basketball coach for the FIU Golden Panthers, and a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association from 1981 until 1994. He led the "Bad Boys" to the NBA...
had likened to Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman
Dennis Keith Rodman is a retired American Hall of Fame professional basketball player of the National Basketball Association's Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, he was nicknamed "Dennis the Menace" and "The...
and Ron Artest
Ron Artest
Metta World Peace is an American professional basketball player and rapper who is currently with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. World Peace gained a reputation as one of the league's premier defenders as he won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2004...
, the 2006 NIT MVP award was a fitting capper to a three-year college career that produced 7.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and a .553 shooting average.
2006 Draft
The Knicks' choice of Balkman in the first round surprised many, notably ESPN's Jay BilasJay Bilas
Jay Scot Bilas is an American lawyer and basketball analyst for ESPN and CBS Sports. He is also a former college basketball player.-Playing career:...
, who noted that projected lottery pick Marcus Williams was still available as well as future All-Star
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
guard Rajon Rondo
Rajon Rondo
Rajon Pierre Rondo is an American professional basketball player who plays point guard for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association . Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Rondo attended Eastern High School and Oak Hill Academy for his high-school basketball career, before receiving a...
. ESPN columnist Bill Simmons
Bill Simmons
William J. "Bill" Simmons III is a sports columnist, author, and podcaster. He currently writes columns and hosts podcasts for Grantland.com, which is affiliated with ESPN.com. He is a former writer for ESPN The Magazine and Jimmy Kimmel Live!...
, among others, joked that perhaps Isiah Thomas
Isiah Thomas
Isiah Lord Thomas III , nicknamed "Zeke",is the men's basketball coach for the FIU Golden Panthers, and a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association from 1981 until 1994. He led the "Bad Boys" to the NBA...
thought he was drafting Rolando Blackman
Rolando Blackman
Rolando Antonio Blackman is a retired professional basketball player. He was an All-Star who spent most of his career with the Dallas Mavericks...
, a former Knicks player and NBA All-Star
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
. However, other analysts praised Balkman's work ethic and attitude, as he had transformed himself from a relative unknown into a first round NBA draft pick over the course of a few months. There was further controversy when the Knicks' general manager, Isiah Thomas
Isiah Thomas
Isiah Lord Thomas III , nicknamed "Zeke",is the men's basketball coach for the FIU Golden Panthers, and a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association from 1981 until 1994. He led the "Bad Boys" to the NBA...
, claimed that the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
were prepared to take him; the Suns claimed that he was not even "on [their] radar". In the NBA's official draft guide, which was released to all reporters covering the draft, Balkman was not included in the list of the 300 top players eligible to be drafted in the 2006-07 rookie class. However, the Knicks selected Balkman with their first of two draft picks, which was 20th overall. The Knicks later selected 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...
with the 29th pick. It has also been speculated that Thomas and the Knicks selected Balkman because his agent, Leon Rose
Leon Rose
Leon Rose is an attorney and sports agent, based in New Jersey, near Philadelphia. He represents a number of prominent NBA players, including Allen Iverson and LeBron James....
, was also the agent of then soon-to-be free agent LeBron James
LeBron James
LeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association . Nicknamed "King James", he was a three-time "Mr. Basketball" of Ohio in high school, and was highly promoted in the national media as a future NBA superstar while a...
.
In the Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
Summer League before the 2006-2007 season, Balkman averaged 7.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 1 block and 2.4 turnovers during the span of 5 games. He played along Knick teammates Channing Frye
Channing Frye
Channing Thomas Frye is an American professional basketball player and currently plays for the Phoenix Suns. His positions are center and power forward. He attended the University of Arizona...
, David Lee
David Lee (basketball)
David Lee is an American professional basketball player who is a power forward and center for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association . He played college basketball for the University of Florida and was selected by the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2005 NBA...
, Nate Robinson
Nate Robinson
Nathaniel Cornelius Robinson is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder...
and Mardy Collins.
2006–07
Balkman played in 68 games during the 2006–07 NBA season, averaging 15.6 minutes, 4.9 points, and 4.3 rebounds. He logged four double-doubles and showed promise, particularly on the defensive end where he was called upon to guard multiple positions, from shooting guard to center. The press praised Balkman, describing him as a "sparkplug off the bench" and a "crowd favorite for his hustle and enthusiastic defense," though he was criticized for his poor outside shooting. Balkman also led the league's rookies in steals plus blocks per 48 minutes.2007–08
Balkman played in 65 games during the 2007-2008 NBA season, averaging fewer minutes, points, and rebounds than the year before.2008-09
On July 28, 2008, Balkman was traded to the Denver NuggetsDenver 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...
along with cash considerations in exchange for Taurean Green
Taurean Green
Taurean Green is an American-born professional basketball player who is a point guard for CB Gran Canaria, the Canary Islands affiliate of the Spanish basketball league Liga ACB. Green played college basketball for the University of Florida, where he was a member of the Florida Gators teams that...
, Bobby Jones, and a second round pick in the 2010 draft. The Knicks quickly waived both Green and Jones, solidifying the fact that the deal was a salary dump. Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni
Mike D'Antoni
Michael Andrew "Mike" D'Antoni is an Italian-American former basketball player and is currently the head coach of the NBA's New York Knicks. While head coach of the Phoenix Suns, he won NBA Coach of the Year honors for the 2004–05 NBA season after the Suns posted 33 more wins than the previous...
stated, "Renaldo really had no role after we drafted (Danilo) Gallinari
Danilo Gallinari
Danilo Gallinari is an Italian professional basketball player with Olimpia Milano of the Italian basketball league. He is also under contract with the Denver Nuggets of the NBA, and is expected to return to that team when the 2011 NBA lockout ends. He is 2.08 m in height and 102.1 kg in...
, and with the emergence of Wilson Chandler
Wilson Chandler
Wilson Chandler is an American basketball player currently with Zhejiang Guangsha of the Chinese Basketball Association. He previously played in the National Basketball Association with the New York Knicks and the Denver Nuggets...
his minutes would be nonexistent, so it really wasn’t fair to him to keep him in a spot that he wouldn’t play and also gives us an opportunity to clear up a roster spot and move on." Said Balkman, "I'm going to make the best of my opportunity. New York was great, but that's in my past now. Denver is my future." Balkman soon carved out an important role in Denver's new defensive-minded gameplan and has solidified his reputation as a high-energy contributor off the bench.
2010-2011
On February 22, 2011, Balkman was reacquired by the New York KnicksNew 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...
in a blockbuster trade which also brought Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Kiyan Anthony , nicknamed "Melo", is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the New York Knicks in the National Basketball Association...
, Chauncey Billups
Chauncey Billups
Chauncey Ray Billups is an American professional basketball point guard for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association . He has also played for Team USA. Billups won the NBA Finals MVP in 2004, helping the Detroit Pistons beat the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals, and was given the...
, Shelden Williams
Shelden Williams
Shelden DeMar Williams is an American professional basketball player who last played for the New York Knicks...
, and Anthony Carter
Anthony Carter
Anthony Bernard Carter is an American professional basketball player who last played for the New York Knicks.-Early life:...
to New York.
Puerto Rico national basketball team
2010 Centrobasket
In the 2010 Centrobasket held in the Dominican RepublicDominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
, Balkman played with the Puerto Rico national basketball team
Puerto Rico national basketball team
The Puerto Rico men's national basketball team represents Puerto Rico in international basketball competitions such as the Olympics, the World Championship, and the Americas Championship...
. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
won the gold medal.
2010 Central American Games (Mayaguez 2010)
In the 2010 Central American games held in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Balkman played with the Puerto Rico national basketball team. Puerto Rico won the gold medal.2011 Pan American Games (Guadalajara 2011)
In the 2011 Pan American games held in Guadalajara, Mexico, Balkman played with the Puerto Rico national basketball team. Puerto Rico won the gold medal.Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | New York
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...
| 68 || 1 || 15.6 || .505 || .185 || .567 || 4.3 || .6 || .8 || .6 || 4.9
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | New York
| 65 || 0 || 14.6 || .489 || .083 || .432 || 3.3 || .6 || .7 || .5 || 3.4
|-
| 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" | Denver
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...
| 53 || 10 || 14.7 || .558 || .286 || .646 || 3.8 || .6 || .9 || .4 || 5.0
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
2009–10 NBA season
The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010....
| align="left" | Denver
| 13 || 1 || 7.0 || .333 || .000 || .333 || 1.8 || .5 || .6 || .2 || 1.1
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
2010–11 NBA season
The 2010–11 NBA season was the 65th season of the National Basketball Association . The 2011 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in six games, 4 games to 2, to win their first NBA title, and...
| align="left" | Denver
| 5 || 0 || 8.8 || .556 || .000 || .750 || .8 || .4 || .6 || .4 || 2.6
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left" | New York
| 3 || 0 || 6.0 || .250 || .500 || .000 || 1.0 || .0 || .3 || .0 || 1.0
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 207 || 12 || 14.2 || .511 || .164 || .535 || 3.6 || .6 || .8 || .5 || 4.1
Playoffs
|-| 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" | Denver
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...
| 8 || 0 || 2.5 || .333 || .000 || .000 || .5 || .1 || .5 || 0 || .5
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 8 || 0 || 2.5 || .333 || .000 || .000 || .5 || .1 || .5 || 0 || .5