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Danny Fortson
Danny Fortson
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Daniel Anthony Fortson (born March 27, 1976) is an American former professional basketball player. He played the power forward and center positions in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1997 to 2007.

Key Information

Early life

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Although born in Philadelphia, Fortson grew up in Altoona, Pennsylvania in a difficult home environment. He did not get along well with his father, who spent some time in jail, while his mother struggled with diabetes and depression.[1] Fortson had grown up in the same neighborhood as Doug West and began pre school at the same school West attended, Altoona Area High School. Before starting there, he became friends with a family whose son played on his AAU basketball team. He spent two summers living with the family in the middle-class Pittsburgh suburb of Shaler Township, eighty five mile west of Altoona.[2]

After his sophomore year, he and his mother moved to Shaler and Fortson transferred to Shaler Area High School for his final two years in high school (1992–1994). He was ruled ineligible his junior year for all but two games but averaged 30 points per game his senior year.[2] He was a member of the prestigious Back board squad for pre-college basketball prospects.

College career

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Fortson played for the Cincinnati Bearcats for 3 years from 1994 to 1997. In 1997 opposing coach Charlie Spoonhour complimented Fortson with: "I could do a chin-up on his arm, and it wouldn't affect his shooting." [1]

In his three years playing for the Bearcats he became the school's second highest all-time scorer by scoring 1,881 points.[3]

A physical player with a soft shooting touch, he led UC to Conference USA championships in 1996 and 1997. He was a consensus first team All-American in 1997 when he averaged 21.3 points and 9.1 rebounds while shooting 62 percent from the field.

NBA career

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Fortson began his pro career after being drafted 10th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks. He was immediately traded the same day to the Denver Nuggets. In his first year, he averaged double-digit points and the next year averaged a double-double in both points and rebounds despite being undersized playing the center position. However, he had 16.7% of his own shots blocked that season, the highest ever in the NBA as of 2012–13.[a][4] Before the 1999–2000 season, he was once again traded to the Boston Celtics in a six-player deal. He missed the first 25 games of the season with a stress fracture in his right foot. He was traded to the Toronto Raptors on February 9, 2000, for Alvin Williams and Sean Marks, but the trade was rescinded two days later when Williams failed his physical.

Fortson did not play much with the Celtics and averaged 7.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Following that season, he was traded to the Golden State Warriors in a four-team trade. He averaged 16.7 points and 16.3 rebounds per game for the Warriors in the first six games of the 2000–01 season, but those were the only games he would play due to another stress fracture injury in his right foot. He returned the following season, and had the best year of his career averaging 11.2 points and 11.7 rebounds in only 28.8 minutes as a starter for 76 games. In the 2002–03 season, Fortson mostly spent his time on the bench as most of his minutes went to Antawn Jamison and Troy Murphy. For the fourth time in his career, Fortson was again traded, this time in a nine-player deal to the Dallas Mavericks.

Fortson averaged only 11 minutes per game for the Mavericks, having to play behind forwards Dirk Nowitzki and Antoine Walker. Because of a need for a center who could make a jump shot, the Mavericks swapped Fortson for Calvin Booth with the Sonics in the offseason of 2004. Quickly, Fortson was back in the rotation and became a fan favorite in Seattle because of his physical play and rebounding prowess.

Fortson was a frequent target of foul calls by referees because of his physical play. As a result, Fortson registered the second-highest technical foul total among all active players during the 2004–05 season. During the 2005–06 season, Fortson's popularity and playing time diminished.

After returning from a two-game suspension on January 2, 2006, Fortson called NBA senior vice president of basketball operations Stu Jackson a "gangster" for the nearly $200,000 in fines Fortson was docked for his latest transgression with an official.[5]

Fortson's rights were renounced by the Thunder on December 22, 2009, after not playing in the NBA since 2007.[6]

Eighteen years after Fortson left UC, he was recognized as one of the greatest players in UC history when he was inducted into the Bearcats’ Hall of Fame on October 29, 2015.[7] On May 21, 2016, Fortson was inducted in the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame.[3][8]

NBA career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 *  Led the league

Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1997–98 Denver 80 23 22.6 .452 .333 .776 5.6 1.0 .6 .4 10.2
1998–99 Denver 50* 38 28.3 .495 .000 .727 11.6 .6 .6 .4 11.0
1999–00 Boston 55 5 15.6 .528 .735 6.7 .5 .4 .1 7.6
2000–01 Golden State 6 6 33.8 .580 .778 16.3 .8 .3 .0 16.7
2001–02 Golden State 77 76 28.8 .428 .250 .795 11.7 1.6 .6 .2 11.2
2002–03 Golden State 17 0 13.0 .370 .000 .655 4.3 .7 .5 .0 3.5
2003–04 Dallas 56 20 11.2 .511 .815 4.5 .2 .2 .2 3.9
2004–05 Seattle 62 0 16.9 .522 .880 5.6 .1 .2 .1 7.5
2005–06 Seattle 23 1 12.0 .529 .767 3.4 .1 .2 .1 3.8
2006–07 Seattle 14 6 11.3 .500 .000 .769 3.1 .1 .1 .0 2.9
Career 440 175 20.1 .472 .167 .785 7.2 .7 .4 .2 8.2

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2005 Seattle 11 0 9.7 .571 .800 2.4 .0 .3 .1 3.3
Career 11 0 9.7 .571 .800 2.4 .0 .3 .1 3.3

See also

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Notes

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Daniel Anthony Fortson (born March 27, 1976) is an American former professional basketball player who played as a and in the (NBA) for ten seasons from 1997 to 2007. Standing at 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m) and weighing 260 pounds (118 kg), Fortson was known for his physical presence and rebounding prowess, averaging 8.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game across 440 regular-season appearances. Fortson was selected 10th overall in the 1997 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks out of the University of Cincinnati but was immediately traded to the Denver Nuggets, where he began his professional career. During his college tenure with the Cincinnati Bearcats, he earned first-team Associated Press All-American honors in 1997 after leading the team in scoring and rebounding as a junior. Over the course of his NBA journey, he suited up for five teams: the Nuggets (1997–1999), Boston Celtics (1999–2000), Golden State Warriors (2000–2003), Dallas Mavericks (2003–2004), and Seattle SuperSonics (2004–2007). Though he did not win any major NBA awards, Fortson's career highlights included a personal-best 24 rebounds in a single game during the 2001–02 with the Warriors and consistent double-digit rebounding efforts in multiple seasons, underscoring his role as a gritty, undersized big man in the league. His tenure ended after the 2006–07 with the SuperSonics.

Early life and education

Early life

Danny Fortson was born on March 27, 1976, in , . Although born in , he grew up in , in a challenging working-class environment marked by and instability. His father, Daniel Anthony Fortson Sr., was an abusive alcoholic who was largely absent and later died around 2002, while his mother, Deloris Fortson, struggled with , depression, and periodic hospitalizations. The home often lacked electricity and sufficient food, and domestic disputes led to his parents' incarcerations, fostering an environment where Fortson and his sisters, including Tammi—who was later convicted of —faced significant hardships. At age 14 in 1990, Fortson relocated with his mother to Shaler Township near , , aided by family friend J.O. Stright and his grandmother, Lossie Bridgers, escaping the difficulties in Altoona. He attended Shaler Area High School for his junior and senior years (1992–1994), where he developed rapidly as a player amid a predominantly white student body as one of few African-American students. Basketball became a motivating escape from his turbulent home life, with Stright providing crucial support through AAU opportunities and guidance that emphasized discipline and opportunity. During his junior year, Fortson showed early promise by scoring 31 and 35 points in his first two games but was ruled ineligible for the season due to transfer regulations suspecting athletic intent. As a senior in 1993–1994, he averaged 29.8 points and 13.6 rebounds per game, earning recognition as a top national prospect. His performance led to selection on the 1994 All-American Third Team and recruitment by the , where he transitioned to .

College career

Danny Fortson was recruited out of high school to join the Bearcats in 1994, embarking on a three-year collegiate career from 1994 to 1997 under coach . During this period, Fortson emerged as a dominant force in the frontcourt, helping elevate the program's standing in the newly formed . His contributions were instrumental in the Bearcats' success, including regular-season conference titles in both the 1995–96 and 1996–97 seasons, with Cincinnati finishing 12–2 in league play during his junior year to claim the top spot. The team also advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each of those seasons, reaching the second round in 1996 as a No. 2 seed in the Southeast Regional after winning the inaugural tournament. Statistically, Fortson concluded his college career with 1,881 points, ranking second all-time at at the time of his graduation. His scoring prowess peaked in his junior season of 1996–97, when he averaged 21.3 points and 9.1 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 62.0% from the field across 33 games. Over his final two seasons, he led the in scoring (664 points in 1995–96 and 703 in 1996–97) and in total rebounds in 1995–96 (316), showcasing his relentless pursuit on the boards and ability to control the paint. Fortson's individual accolades underscored his impact, including selection as a consensus second-team All-American in 1996 and first-team All-American in 1997. He was also named Conference USA Player of the Year in both 1996 and 1997, earning first-team all-conference honors each time, which highlighted his leadership and statistical dominance within the league. As a 6-foot-7 , Fortson developed a rugged playing style characterized by physicality, elite rebounding, and effective interior scoring, complemented by a surprisingly soft shooting touch that allowed him to finish plays around the rim efficiently. This skill set not only powered Cincinnati's fast-paced, defensive-oriented system but also positioned him as one of the top underclassmen prospects in the nation by the end of his junior year.

Professional career

Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics

Danny Fortson was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the out of the . On the same day, the Bucks traded him, along with and , to the in exchange for center . This draft-day deal marked Fortson's entry into the NBA, where he signed a three-year rookie-scale contract worth approximately $3.76 million, including $1.29 million for the 1997–98 season. During his rookie season with the in 1997–98, Fortson served primarily as a backup and behind starters like and , appearing in 50 games with averages of 5.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game in 13.5 minutes off the bench. The , in the midst of a rebuilding phase, finished with a league-worst 11–71 record, providing Fortson an opportunity to adjust to the NBA's increased physicality and pace compared to . In his sophomore year of 1998–99, Fortson expanded his role amid frontcourt injuries and inconsistencies, playing in 80 games and boosting his production to 9.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in 22.6 minutes. That season, he led the NBA in total offensive rebounds with 212 and ranked second in offensive rebounds per game at 4.2, while finishing second overall in total rebounds with 581. On February 26, 1999, he recorded a career-high 24 rebounds against the . The Nuggets finished with a 14–68 mark. Prior to the 1999–2000 season, Fortson was traded to the Boston Celtics on August 3, 1999, as part of a six-player deal that sent Ron Mercer, Popeye Jones, and Dwayne Schintzius from Boston to Denver in exchange for Fortson, Eric Williams, and Tracy Murray. Under coach Rick Pitino, the Celtics sought frontcourt depth, and Fortson earned starting opportunities once healthy, though his season was hampered by a stress fracture in his right foot that sidelined him for the first 25 games. Returning in December 1999, he played in 57 games, averaging 7.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in 17.1 minutes, with notable rebounding efficiency in limited action. The Celtics finished 35–47, showing moderate competitiveness in the Atlantic Division but missing the playoffs, amid Fortson's ongoing adjustments to varying roles and the physical toll of NBA travel. Fortson's early career was marked by challenges, including the Nuggets' rebuilding struggles that limited consistent playing time and development, as well as injury setbacks like the foot that disrupted his Celtics tenure and forced role transitions between backup and starter. These factors tested his resilience in adapting to professional demands, though his rebounding tenacity provided glimpses of potential in both franchises.

Golden State Warriors

Danny Fortson was acquired by the on August 16, 2000, through a landmark four-team trade involving the , , , and Golden State, marking the first such multi-team deal in NBA history. In the transaction, the Warriors received Fortson and forward Adam Keefe in exchange for forward , , and additional assets from the other teams. The move was structured as a sign-and-trade, enabling Fortson to ink a new four-year contract with Golden State valued at approximately $18 million, starting with $4.26 million for the 2000-01 season and including an opt-out clause after the first year. Fortson's time with the Warriors from 2000 to 2003 represented his most productive NBA stretch, where he transitioned into a starting role and established himself as a dominant rebounder. In the 2000-01 season, he burst onto the scene with averages of 16.7 points and 16.3 rebounds per game across the first six contests before a in his right foot forced him to miss the remainder of the year. A standout performance came on November 12, 2000, when he collected 21 rebounds (and 21 points) in a game against the . Returning healthy in 2001-02, Fortson started all 77 games, posting 11.2 points and a team-high 11.7 rebounds per game while playing 28.8 minutes. That season, he ranked third in the NBA in offensive rebounds per game at 3.8 (totaling 290) and notched 29 double-doubles, highlighting his tenacity on the glass. As a bruising 6-foot-7, 260-pound , Fortson served as the Warriors' primary frontcourt enforcer, bringing physicality and rebounding intensity to a squad mired in rebuilding woes. His efforts anchored the team's second-chance opportunities on offense and provided defensive stability, even as Golden State finished 21-61 amid ongoing franchise struggles. Injuries curtailed his 2002-03 campaign to just 17 games, limiting him to 3.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in reduced minutes of 13.1. Fortson's departure came on August 18, 2003, when the Warriors traded him, along with Antawn Jamison, Chris Mills, and Jiří Welsch, to the Dallas Mavericks in a six-player swap for Evan Eschmeyer, Avery Johnson, Popeye Jones, Antoine Rigaudou, and Nick Van Exel. The deal reflected Golden State's roster overhaul as Fortson entered the final year of his contract.

Dallas Mavericks and Seattle SuperSonics

In August 2003, Danny Fortson was traded from the Golden State Warriors to the Dallas Mavericks in a multi-player deal that also sent Antawn Jamison, Chris Mills, and Jiří Welsch to Dallas in exchange for Evan Eschmeyer, Avery Johnson, Popeye Jones, Antoine Rigaudou, and Nick Van Exel. During the 2003–04 season, Fortson served primarily as a bench power forward and center for the contending Mavericks, providing physicality and rebounding support behind stars like Dirk Nowitzki in a team that finished with a 52–30 record and advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals. In 56 games, he averaged 3.9 points and 4.5 rebounds in 11.2 minutes per game, shooting 51.1% from the field, though he did not appear in the playoffs despite being on the postseason roster. His acquisition leveraged his established reputation as a tenacious rebounder from his Warriors tenure, adding depth to Dallas's frontcourt during their push for a deep playoff run. On July 26, 2004, the Mavericks traded Fortson to the in exchange for center , reuniting him with a familiar Western Conference environment amid Seattle's efforts to bolster their interior defense. In his first season with the SuperSonics (2004–05), Fortson emerged as a key rebounding specialist off the bench, contributing to a team that secured a playoff spot with a 52–30 record and upset the in the first round before falling to the [San Antonio Spurs](/page/San Antonio Spurs) in the Western Conference Semifinals. Over 62 regular-season games, he averaged 7.5 points and 5.6 rebounds in 16.9 minutes, with a 52.2% , and appeared in all 11 playoff games, logging limited minutes for 3.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per contest. His physical style and rebounding prowess helped stabilize Seattle's frontcourt alongside players like Radmanovic and Lewis. Fortson's role diminished in subsequent seasons due to age, chronic knee issues, and increased competition for minutes, reflecting a broader decline in his playing time as the SuperSonics navigated roster changes and ownership instability. In 2005–06, limited to 23 games under coaches and , he averaged 3.8 points and 3.4 rebounds in 12.0 minutes. His final year, 2006–07, saw even further reduction amid the franchise's relocation discussions—new owner Clay Bennett had purchased the team in July 2006 and signaled intentions to move to by informing NBA commissioner in March 2007—resulting in just 14 games where Fortson totaled 40 points and 43 rebounds. Fortson announced his retirement from professional on November 1, 2007, effectively ending his NBA career after the SuperSonics renounced his rights on December 22, 2009, following the team's relocation.

Career statistics

Regular season

Danny Fortson played 440 games in the NBA over 10 seasons from 1997–98 to 2006–07, averaging 8.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game. The following table summarizes his per-game regular season statistics by year:
SeasonTeamGPMPGPPGRPGAPGFG%FT%
1997-988022.610.25.61.0.452.776
1998-995028.311.011.60.6.495.727
1999-005515.67.66.70.5.528.735
2000-01GSW633.816.716.30.8.580.778
2001-02GSW7728.811.211.71.6.428.795
2002-03GSW1713.13.54.30.7.370.655
2003-045611.23.94.50.2.511.815
2004-056216.97.55.60.1.522.880
2005-062312.03.83.40.1.529.767
2006-071411.32.93.10.1.500.769
Career44019.88.27.20.7.478.786
Fortson's regular season performance varied by team, as shown in the aggregates below:
TeamGPMPGPPGRPGAPG
DEN13024.610.68.00.8
BOS5515.67.66.70.5
GSW10025.910.210.71.3
DAL5611.23.94.50.2
SEA9915.06.04.80.1
Career44019.88.27.20.7
Among advanced metrics, Fortson's career player efficiency rating (PER) was 15.8, with a true shooting percentage (TS%) of .573; his peak rebounding average came in 2000–01 at 16.3 per game with Golden State (in 6 games).

Playoffs

Fortson appeared in 11 NBA playoff games during his career, all with the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2005 postseason. He averaged 3.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in 9.5 minutes per game across those contests, shooting 57.1% from the field and 80.0% from the free-throw line. In the first round against the Sacramento Kings, which Seattle won 4–1, Fortson played all five games off the bench, averaging 4.4 points and 1.6 rebounds in 9.3 minutes while converting 66.7% of his field goal attempts. His scoring peaked in Game 4 with six points on perfect 2-for-2 shooting in a 91–80 victory. In the Western Conference Semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs, a 4–2 series loss, Fortson appeared in all six games, contributing 2.3 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in 9.8 minutes, with his rebounding total reaching a playoff-high nine in Game 5 of the series. As a reserve big man, Fortson provided energy and physicality in the paint, leveraging his rebounding tenacity to support Seattle's frontcourt during their surprise playoff run to the second round.
YearTeamGPMPFG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2005119.5.571.8002.40.00.30.13.3
Career119.5.571.8002.40.00.30.13.3

Later life and legacy

Post-retirement

Following his retirement from professional basketball in 2007 after playing for the , Danny Fortson has led a low-profile life away from the spotlight of the NBA. He resides in Newport, , near his hometown region of . Fortson stays connected to the sport through his family, particularly his children who are active in athletics. His daughter, Kali Fortson, developed into a standout high school basketball player at Princeton High School in before joining the Bradley University team as a forward in the 2024–25 season; she earned MVP honors in Ohio's Division I state championship game during her senior year. His son, Danny Fortson Jr., is a highly recruited offensive tackle who committed to in October 2025 after starring at Princeton High School. Fortson has maintained ties to his alma mater, the , by visiting the men's program in December 2021 to support the current players and coach . He expressed enthusiasm for the team's direction, stating, "I'm supporting those guys... Wes has a lot of energy. I like what he's doing." These occasional alumni engagements highlight his ongoing interest in , though he has not pursued formal roles in coaching, broadcasting, or professional analysis.

Honors and awards

During his high school career at Shaler Area High School in , , Danny Fortson was selected as a All-American in 1994, recognizing him as one of the top senior prospects in the nation. At the , Fortson earned First-team All-Great Midwest Conference honors as a freshman in 1995, highlighting his early impact as a dominant rebounder and scorer. In his sophomore and junior seasons, he was named Conference USA Player of the Year in both 1996 and 1997, leading the Bearcats to conference championships each year and establishing himself as a physical force on the boards. He received Consensus second-team All-American recognition in 1996 and Consensus first-team All-American honors in 1997, accolades that underscored his elite rebounding prowess and scoring ability, with the latter selection by outlets including the affirming his status as one of the premier college players of the era. These college awards cemented Fortson's reputation as a tenacious rebounder who combined physicality with efficiency, setting the stage for his professional career. In the NBA, Fortson was named to the All-Rookie Second Team following the 1997-98 season, where his rebounding tenacity off the bench for the earned him recognition among the league's top newcomers. During the 1998-99 season with the Nuggets, he led the entire NBA in total offensive rebounds with 210, a feat that exemplified his relentless pursuit of second-chance opportunities and contributed to his overall rebounding dominance that year, including leading the league in total rebound percentage at 23.7%. Fortson also topped the NBA in total rebound percentage (21.8%) and defensive rebound percentage (30.3%) during the 2001-02 season with the , further solidifying his legacy as one of the most effective rebounders of his time despite limited starting minutes. These achievements highlighted his specialization in offensive rebounding, where his positioning and physicality allowed him to excel in creating extra possessions for his teams. Post-retirement, Fortson was inducted into the James P. Kelly UC Athletics Hall of Fame on October 29, 2015, honoring his contributions to Bearcats basketball, including becoming the program's second-highest all-time scorer with 1,881 points and his role in elevating the team's national profile. The following year, on May 21, 2016, he was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame, where his induction speech was accepted by former coach , recognizing his impact from high school through the NBA as a native and college star known for his "enforcer" style and rebounding tenacity. These honors reflect Fortson's enduring legacy as a rebounding specialist whose awards span his aggressive pursuit of the ball throughout his career, influencing perceptions of him as a blue-collar in basketball circles.

References

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