From LSU record-breaker to a 17-season NBA journeyman
In short: Garrett Temple’s path to the NBA wasn't a straight line. After going undrafted in 2009, he navigated a dizzying carousel of 12 different teams and multiple 10-day contracts before carving out a long, resilient career as a defensive specialist and veteran leader.
Temple's journey began with a deep connection to Louisiana basketball. The son of Collis Temple—the first African American to play for LSU—followed in his father's footsteps, eventually becoming LSU's all-time leader in minutes played with 4,432. During his collegiate tenure, he was recognized for his versatility, earning All-SEC Defensive team honors and ranking 11th in the league in assist average during his junior year.
The transition to the professional ranks was grueling. After being waived by the Houston Rockets in 2009, Temple entered a period of extreme mobility. Between 2010 and 2011 alone, he cycled through 10-day contracts with the Rockets, Kings, and Spurs, and signed with the Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Bobcats. This 'journeyman' phase included stints in the NBA Development League and a season playing in Italy for Novipiù Casale Monferrato.
Temple eventually found stability with the Washington Wizards, where he achieved a significant statistical milestone in 2015. After not reaching the 20-point mark in his first 250 contests, he became the first NBA player to score at least 20 points in three consecutive games. His career continued through high-profile moves to the Grizzlies, Nets, Bulls, and Pelicans, eventually leading to his retirement in 2026 and a transition into coaching with the Dallas Mavericks.
Beyond the court, Temple balanced his professional life with significant philanthropic work. As a member of the 'Starting Five,' he helped raise funds through Hoops2O to construct water wells in East Africa. By February 2020, these efforts had provided clean water to over 52,000 citizens in Tanzania and Kenya.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Garrett Temple
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