Anthony Bonner and His Time in the NBA
Anthony Bonner was a professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for nine seasons. He is best known for his time with the Sacramento Kings, where he had the longest tenure of his career. His time in the NBA was marked by his hard work and dedication to the game.
Early Life
Anthony Bonner was born in Staten Island, New York. He grew up in a single-parent household and had to work hard to make ends meet. He attended St. Peter’s Boys High School, where he excelled at basketball. He was offered a scholarship to St. John’s University and played basketball there for four years. During his time at St. John’s, he was a two-time All-Big East selection and also earned Big East Player of the Year honors.
NBA Draft
After his college career, Anthony was selected in the second round of the 1990 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings. He became the first player from St. John’s to be drafted into the NBA since 1976.
Sacramento Kings
Anthony began his NBA career with the Kings in the 1990-91 season. He played in 80 games and averaged 6.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. He quickly established himself as a tenacious defender and a reliable scorer.
Throughout his time with the Kings, Anthony developed into a key player in the team’s rotation. He was a member of the Kings’ playoff teams in 1994 and 1995, appearing in all 16 of their postseason games during those two years.
Career Highlights
Anthony was known for his hustle and defensive prowess. He was an NBA All-Rookie Second Team selection in 1991 and was the recipient of the Kings’ Hustle Award for four consecutive seasons from 1991-1995. He was also a member of the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 1995.
Philadelphia 76ers
In 1997, Anthony was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. He had a successful season with the 76ers and was one of the team’s top three-point shooters. He was also selected as an alternate for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game.
Cleveland Cavaliers
In 1998, Anthony was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He played in 64 games for the team and averaged 10.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.
Later Career
Anthony then moved on to the Vancouver Grizzlies, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks, where he played sparingly. He officially retired from the NBA after the 2001-02 season.
Post-NBA Career
After his retirement from the NBA, Anthony returned to St. John’s University to complete his undergraduate degree. He then went on to pursue a career in coaching. He has been a coach at the high school and collegiate level and is currently an assistant coach at St. Francis College.
How Many Years Did Anthony Bonner Play in the NBA?
Anthony Bonner played in the NBA for nine seasons from 1990 to 2002. He was a valuable player for the teams he played for and was known for his hustle and defensive abilities.
Conclusion
Anthony Bonner was a hard-working and dedicated player who made the most of his nine-year career in the NBA. He was a member of several playoff teams and even made an appearance in the 1998 NBA All-Star Game. His legacy continues to live on through the many young players he has coached and mentored.