Jamaal Tinsley

Jamaal Lee Tinsley (born February 28, 1978) is an American former professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Tinsley played college basketball for the Iowa State Cyclones. Following his senior year, he was drafted by the Vancouver Grizzlies with the 27th pick of the 2001 NBA draft and was immediately dealt to the Atlanta Hawks, and then to the Indiana Pacers on draft night. Tinsley played 11 seasons in the NBA, primarily with the Pacers, as well as the Grizzlies and Jazz.

Early years and college career As a teen, Tinsley developed his game playing streetball at New York City's Rucker Park. Tinsley's streetball nickname is "Mel The Abuser". He played junior college ball at Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) before breaking onto the national scene in the Big 12 Conference at Iowa State University.

In Tinsley's junior year with the Cyclones, he was named the Big 12 Player of the Year. He led Iowa State to a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The team, along with fellow star Marcus Fizer, reached the Elite Eight before losing to eventual champion Michigan State. In his senior year, Tinsley earned first-team All-American honors from the NABC.

NBA career

Indiana Pacers (2001–2009) Tinsley wore #11 during his tenure at Iowa State and while with the Indiana Pacers. Tinsley established himself as the starting point guard under Pacers coach Isiah Thomas. He put up statistics of 9.4 points and 8.1 assists per game in 2001–02. On November 16, 2001, he recorded the 9th five-by-five in the NBA since the 1985–86 season. At 23 years and 261 days, he was the youngest to do so until Andrei Kirilenko in 2003.

Tinsley played 73 games for the Pacers in 2002–03, starting 69 of them, and his averages dipped to 7.8 points and 7.5 assists per contest.

The following year, Rick Carlisle replaced Thomas as the Pacers' head coach, and promoted veteran guard Kenny Anderson to the starting point guard slot, with Anthony Johnson as his backup.

When Anderson and Johnson went down with injuries, Tinsley regained his status as a starter. As the Pacers advanced to the 2004 Eastern Conference Finals, Tinsley started all 16 playoff games. Because of the situation where Indiana's insistence on trading and not outright waiving Tinsley meant that no other team offered Indiana anything of value to acquire him (knowing that the Pacers would eventually have to part ways with Tinsley and then he could be picked up at no cost), the NBA Players Association filed a grievance against the Pacers on Tinsley's behalf on February 11, 2009. On July 22, 2009, the Pacers waived Tinsley.

Memphis Grizzlies (2009–2010) On November 14, 2009, the Memphis Grizzlies signed Tinsley as a free agent. Chris Wallace, the General Manager of the Grizzlies, stated that he "was the best available player out on the board" and was "a proven commodity as a playmaker" due to his veteran resume in the NBA.

Los Angeles D-Fenders (2011) On November 3, 2011, Tinsley was picked 1st overall by the Los Angeles D-Fenders in the NBA Development League Draft. Tinsley played eight games with the D-Fenders and averaged 9.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game.

Utah Jazz (2011–2013) On December 12, 2011, Tinsley was signed by the Utah Jazz, along with Keith McLeod, and Trey Gilder.

On June 29, 2012, the Jazz exercised the team option on Tinsley's contract to keep him under contract for one more season.

On October 26, 2013, he re-signed with the Jazz. He would only play 8 games with the team and on November 12, 2013, he was waived by the Jazz.

NBA career statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Others On November 16, 2001, just in his 11th rookie game, Jamaal posted a rare 5 x 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, with 12 points, 9 rebounds, 15 assists, 6 steals and 5 blocks.