Sebastian Telfair, a point guard known for his quickness and ball-handling skills, entered the NBA directly from high school, a path less traveled in the modern era of basketball. Born on June 9, 1985, in Brooklyn, New York, Telfair was a standout player at Abraham Lincoln High School, where he gained national attention for his exceptional play. His high school career was so impressive that he was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated and was the subject of a documentary titled "Through the Fire."
In the 2004 NBA Draft, Telfair was selected 13th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. His entry into the league was met with high expectations, as he was one of the few players at the time to make the jump from high school to the NBA. During his rookie season with the Trail Blazers, Telfair showed flashes of potential, averaging 6.8 points and 3.3 assists per game. However, adjusting to the professional level proved challenging, and he spent much of his early career working to find his footing in the league.
After two seasons in Portland, Telfair was traded to the Boston Celtics in 2006. His time in Boston was short-lived, as he played just one season with the team, averaging 6.1 points and 2.8 assists per game. The following year, he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he began to see more consistent playing time. During his two seasons with the Timberwolves, Telfair averaged 9.2 points and 5.0 assists per game, showcasing his ability to contribute as a starting point guard.
In 2009, Telfair was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, where he continued to play a supporting role. His stint with the Clippers was brief, and he was traded once again, this time to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010. Telfair's time in Cleveland was marred by injuries, limiting his ability to make a significant impact on the court.
The 2010-2011 season saw Telfair return to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he played as a backup point guard. He then signed with the Phoenix Suns in 2011, where he served as a reliable backup and occasional starter over two seasons. During his time with the Suns, Telfair averaged 6.0 points and 2.5 assists per game, providing veteran leadership to a young team.
In 2013, Telfair signed with the Toronto Raptors, but his tenure there was short, as he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder later that season. With the Thunder, Telfair played a limited role, appearing in just a handful of games before being waived.
After a brief stint in the Chinese Basketball Association with the Tianjin Ronggang, Telfair returned to the NBA for the 2014-2015 season, signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder once again. However, his time with the team was short-lived, and he was waived after appearing in just 16 games.
Throughout his NBA career, Telfair played for several teams, including the Portland Trail Blazers, Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors, and Oklahoma City Thunder. While he never quite reached the heights predicted for him during his high school days, Telfair's journey through the league was marked by perseverance and adaptability.
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