Antonio McDyess was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 2nd pick in the 1995 NBA draft, but was traded to the Denver Nuggets before the season started. McDyess was a powerful athlete and had explosive leaping ability in the early stages of his career averaging a double double in two seasons, 1998-99 and 2000-01. He was also an Olympian, competing for the United States in the 2000 games in Sydney.
Early in 2001, McDyess ruptured his Patella Tendon which severely hampered the athletic nature of his game and was never the same player. At the start of the 2005-06 season, McDyess signed with the Detroit Pistons and again became an effective player, this time off the bench. He was traded back to the team he began his career with, the Denver Nuggets, early in the 2008-09 season, but was waived and resigned with the Pistons after the 30 waiting period.
