Wally Szczerbiak is a former professional basketball player and current sports analyst, best known for his time in the NBA and as a commentator for the New York Knicks.
Early Life and Education:
- Birth: Born on March 5, 1977, in Madrid, Spain, to Marilyn and Walt Szczerbiak, a former ABA player.
- Education: Played college basketball at Miami University in Ohio, where he earned first-team All-American honors in 1999.
NBA Career:
- Draft: Selected 6th overall in the 1999 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- Teams: Played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, Seattle SuperSonics, and Cleveland Cavaliers over his 10-season career.
- Achievements: Named an NBA All-Star in 2002 and earned All-Rookie First Team honors in 2000.
Post-Retirement and Broadcasting:
- Analyst Work: Joined CBS Sports in 2010 as a college basketball analyst.
- New York Knicks: Serves as a color analyst for Knicks games on MSG Network.
Personal Life:
- Background: Of Ukrainian descent; his grandparents met in a refugee camp in West Germany post-World War II.
- Family: Married Shannon Ward in 2000; the couple has five children.
Szczerbiak’s transition from a successful NBA career to a role as a respected sports analyst highlights his deep understanding and passion for basketball.