About Chris Bosh

Name: Christopher Bosh
Position: F
Team: Toronto Raptors
Ht/Wt: 6-10, 230 lbs. | Age: 22
Birthplace: Dallas, Texas | College: Ga Tech
Drafted: 2003, 1st round, 4th pick by Raptors

In only his fourth professional season, Chris Bosh is unmistakably one of the National Basketball Association's emerging headliners. And fans and media are not the only ones who have noticed. As a rookie, Chris was one of the Toronto Raptors' stealth offensive weapons, but as the 2004-05 season unfolded it was no longer a secret that he was now an ever present scoring threat.

That Chris is taking on a more prominent role is both a testimony to his developing NBA game and a foreshadowing of challenges to come. Defenders are coming after him in twos or threes, Raptors coach Sam Mitchell has observed, and they are not going away.

"You have to figure it out on the fly, once they do it to you once or twice," Mitchell told the Canadian web site Slam! Sports.

Figuring it out seems to be another of Chris's strengths. He was averaging 16.3 points per game on 47% shooting as the second half of the season rolled on, and the 6-10 forward also was pulling down nearly nine rebounds per game.

Only a few years removed from a childhood that was not without its economic challenges, Chris has not wasted a moment turning his attention to youngsters in need now that he is enjoying professional success. He established the Chris Bosh Foundation to create a community force that lifts kids closer to their educational and athletic goals. The foundation has worked closely with organizations such as the Toronto Special Olympics to raise important funding for community projects.

Chris always has been associated with making a difference. It was observed by ESPN analyst and former player Jay Bilas ahead of the 2003 NBA Draft that "if you had to pick a team and start with one player, I can't imagine it wouldn't be Chris Bosh." The Raptors heeded that viewpoint by selecting Chris as their first pick, selecting him fourth overall after he played one stellar season at Georgia Tech.

Only 19 as a rookie, he immediately created renewed excitement among Raptors fans, exceeding expectations by averaging 11.5 points and 7.4 rebounds a game. Chris scored a career high 25 points in a victory over the Houston Rockets in only his tenth professional game. Chris was also named to the 2004 NBA All-Rookie team at season's end.

He started all 31 games during his one Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) season at Tech. In the process he would lead the Yellow Jackets in scoring (averaging 15.6 ppg), rebounding (9.0), blocked shots (2.2), and field goal percentage (56 percent). Chris also led the ACC in field goal percentage, only the second freshman in conference history to do so. He would also front the ACC with 67 blocked shots, and was second in rebounding and double-doubles (13), and eighth in scoring. An ACC Rookie of the Week four times, he was named the conference Rookie of the Year and second team All-ACC. As a member of the ACC All-Defensive Team he become the only freshman to be named to either the first or second team for both offense and defense.

At Lincoln High School in Dallas, Chris was his varsity basketball team's captain in his junior and senior years, leading the team to a 40-0 record and a state championship during his senior season. A First Team All-American by Parade Magazine and Second Team All-American by USA Today, Chris was a McDonald's All-American, and was the Texas Gatorade and Basketball America Player of the Year, including Mr. Basketball.

Besides his on-the-court exploits, Bosh was a National Honor Society member and graduated with honors from Lincoln. A member of the National Society of Black Engineers and the Dallas Association of Minority Engineers, while at Georgia Tech Chris studied graphic design and computer imaging, and plans to one day obtain his college degree.

A family oriented person, Chris draws his character, maturity and self-confidence from his parents (Freida and Noel), and has enduring memories of learning to dribble a basketball at age 4 in the gym where his dad played pick-up games.



Personal
* Son of Noel and Freida Bosh
* Had a cousin and aunt also attend Georgia Tech
* Led Lincoln to a 40-0 mark as a senior and the Texas state championship
* Averaged 21 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks en route to the state’s “Mr. Basketball” honour
* Was a member of the National Honour Society and the A-B Honour Roll, and graduated with honours
* Named a first-team All-American by Parade and a McDonald’s All-American.