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Roy Hibbert
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Roy Denzil Hibbert (born December 11, 1986) is a Jamaican–American former professional basketball player. He is a two–time NBA All–Star, and earned NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2014 with the Indiana Pacers. Hibbert was the runner–up for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in the 2013–14 NBA season, placing second behind Joakim Noah.[1]

Key Information

Hibbert played college basketball for the Georgetown Hoyas and was named a consensus second-team All-American as a senior in 2008. He was drafted 17th overall in the 2008 NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors and was subsequently traded to the Indiana Pacers on draft night. Hibbert has represented the Jamaica national team in international competition, being eligible because of his dual U.S. and Jamaican citizenship.[2][3]

Early life

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Hibbert was born in Queens, New York City to Roy Sr. and Patty Hibbert. His father is originally from Jamaica and his mother from Trinidad. The family moved to Adelphi, Maryland, when Roy was two. Around that time, the New York Post states, his parents introduced him to basketball after they had "tried to get him to play tennis, then golf, then the piano".[4]

College career

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Hibbert with the Georgetown Hoyas in December 2006

Hibbert was named to the All-Big East Second Team in 2006 along with teammate Jeff Green.[5] In 2007, he and Green were unanimous selections to the All-Big East First Team, with Green earning Big East Player of the Year honors. The two led the Hoyas to victory in the 2007 Big East Conference Championship for the first time since 1989 against the Pittsburgh Panthers; Hibbert contributed a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds.[6] Before the 2007–08 season he was named Big East's preseason player of the year.[7] He was also named a pre-season All-American along with the likes of Tyler Hansbrough, whose North Carolina Tar Heels were upset by Hibbert's Hoyas in the Elite Eight of the 2007 NCAA Tournament.

Hibbert had repeatedly said that he planned to play all four years and graduate from Georgetown,[8] continuing the tradition of graduating Hoya centers such as Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo. However, his performance in helping to lead the Hoyas to the 2007 Final Four catapulted him into lottery pick status. Hibbert declared his eligibility for the 2007 NBA draft, but did not sign with an agent. On May 23, 2007, Hibbert announced he would return to school for his senior season. Hibbert said of Georgetown, "My heart was here. ... I feel like I have unfinished business here."[9] Following the Hoyas' upset loss to Davidson and Stephen Curry in the second round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament, Hibbert's collegiate career came to a close.

In college, Hibbert was often referred to as the "Big Stiff" by reporters and fans.[10][11]

Professional career

[edit]

Indiana Pacers (2008–2015)

[edit]
Hibbert posts up Marcin Gortat in February 2011
Hibbert battling Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls for position in December 2011
Hibbert with the Indiana Pacers in November 2014

Hibbert was drafted 17th overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2008 NBA draft. On July 9, 2008, his rights were traded to the Indiana Pacers, along with T. J. Ford, for Jermaine O'Neal.[12] On July 15, he signed his first professional contract with the Pacers.[citation needed]

Hibbert was selected to the 2012 NBA All-Star Game as a reserve for the East. He played 10 minutes and scored three points, going 1–3 from the field. In Game 1 of the first round of the 2012 NBA playoffs against the Orlando Magic, Hibbert recorded nine blocks.

On July 13, 2012, Hibbert re-signed with the Pacers on a reported four-year, $58 million contract, matching the offer sheet from the Portland Trail Blazers.[13] On November 21, 2012, Hibbert set a career-high by recording 11 blocks as part of a 10-point, 11-rebound, 11-block triple-double in a victory against the New Orleans Hornets. His 11 blocks also broke the franchise record for most blocks in a single game, and Hibbert became only the second player in Pacers history (alongside Jermaine O'Neal) to record a points-rebounds-blocks triple-double. In Game 3 of a 2013 Eastern Conference Semifinals series against the New York Knicks, Hibbert recorded 24 points and 12 rebounds in a Pacers win.[14] In Game 6, Hibbert recorded 25 points and 12 rebounds, along with five blocks,[15] including a significant block on Carmelo Anthony, which led the Pacers to the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals. Hibbert averaged 15.8 points and 3.8 blocks in this series.

Hibbert was selected as an All-Star reserve for the East in 2014. He played 12 minutes and tallied eight points on 4–5 shooting. At the end of the season, Hibbert finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting with 166 out of the 1125, losing to Joakim Noah, who had 555 of the points. Hibbert averaged 2.2 blocks per game. During the 2014 NBA playoffs, Hibbert went scoreless in games 5 and 6 of the Pacers' first round match against the eighth seed, Atlanta Hawks. Hibbert was the second All-Star to ever go scoreless in consecutive games in the playoffs, the first being Jim King in 1968.[16] Hibbert would also have scoreless games in Game 1 of the semifinals (against the Washington Wizards) and in Game 4 of the conference finals (against the Miami Heat). By the end of the 2014 postseason, Hibbert had four scoreless postseason games, setting an NBA record for most scoreless NBA postseason games by a current All-Star. Hibbert's season ended in the Eastern Conference Finals as the Pacers were eliminated by the Miami Heat in six games, adding history to the Heat–Pacers rivalry.

On June 29, 2015, Hibbert exercised his player option with the Pacers for the 2015–16 season.

Los Angeles Lakers (2015–2016)

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Hibbert with the Los Angeles Lakers in December 2015

On July 9, 2015, Hibbert was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2019 NBA draft (Eric Paschall), which Indiana turned into Rakeem Christmas.[17] He made his debut for the Lakers in their season opener on October 28, 2015, recording 12 points and 10 rebounds in a 112–111 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.[18] Hibbert started in 81 of 82 games, also playing alongside Kobe Bryant in his last NBA season.

Charlotte Hornets (2016–2017)

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On July 7, 2016, Hibbert signed with the Charlotte Hornets.[19] He made his debut for the Hornets in their season opener on October 26, 2016, recording 15 points and nine rebounds in a 107–96 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.[20] On January 18, 2017, Hibbert scored a season-high 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting in a 107–85 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.[21] On the Hornets, he played alongside 4x NBA All-Star Kemba Walker.

Denver Nuggets (2017)

[edit]

On February 2, 2017, Hibbert was traded, along with Spencer Hawes, to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for former Pacers teammate Miles Plumlee.[22] However, before appearing in a game for the Bucks, he was traded again, this time to the Denver Nuggets on February 23, in exchange for a protected 2019 second-round draft pick.[23] The Nuggets renounced their free agent exception rights on Hibbert during the subsequent off-season, making him an unrestricted free agent.[24] In Denver, Hibbert played with a young Nikola Jokić.

On July 17, 2018, Hibbert announced his retirement.[25]

Coaching career

[edit]

On August 9, 2019, it was reported that Hibbert was hired by the Philadelphia 76ers as a player development specialist on the coaching staff.[26] He served this role until becoming a college basketball analyst for CBS Sports in 2022.

National team career

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In the summer of 2007, Hibbert was the starting center on the U.S. team, which was composed of college players, at the 2007 Pan-American Games.[27] In 2009, he expressed an interest to play for the Jamaica national team.[28] He has dual U.S. and Jamaican citizenship due to his father.[3] He was named captain of the Jamaican team in 2010 and represented them in the 2010 Centrobasket.[29]

Personal life

[edit]

In September 2014, Hibbert married his long-time girlfriend, Valerie Cooke.[30] The couple had met in college at Georgetown University.

Hibbert works as a college basketball analyst for CBS Sports, serving this role during the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons.[31] As of 2024, Hibbert lives in Maryland with his wife and four children.[31] In 2023, Hibbert started his own YouTube channel, analyzing and reacting to news around the NBA.[32]

In popular media, Hibbert appeared as a guest star playing himself on three episodes of the comedy series Parks and Recreation which aired between 2011 and 2013. He also appeared in an episode of The Eric Andre Show in 2016.[33] Recently, Hibbert was interviewed by ESPN in 2020 to discuss the decline of the "Big Man" in the NBA,[34] and again in 2023 by the Pacers to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his famous block against Carmelo Anthony in the 2013 NBA playoffs.[35]

During the post-game press conference after Game 6 of the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat, Hibbert used the term "no homo" and later was fined $75,000 by the NBA for the remark.[36] Hibbert apologized for his comments in a statement released by the Pacers: "I am apologizing for insensitive remarks made during the post-game press conference after our victory over Miami Saturday night", he said. "They were disrespectful and offensive and not a reflection of my personal views. I used a slang term that is not appropriate in any setting, private or public, and the language I used definitely has no place in a public forum, especially over live television. I apologize to those who I have offended, to our fans and to the Pacers' organization."[37]

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

Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2008–09 Indiana 69 42 14.4 .471 — .667 3.5 .7 .3 1.1 7.1
2009–10 Indiana 81 69 25.1 .495 .500 .754 5.7 2.0 .4 1.6 11.7
2010–11 Indiana 81 80 27.7 .461 .000 .745 7.5 2.0 .4 1.8 12.7
2011–12 Indiana 65 65 29.8 .497 .000 .711 8.8 1.7 .5 2.0 12.8
2012–13 Indiana 79 79 28.7 .448 .250 .741 8.3 1.4 .5 2.6 11.9
2013–14 Indiana 81 81 29.7 .439 .400 .770 6.6 1.1 .4 2.2 10.8
2014–15 Indiana 76 76 25.3 .446 .000 .824 7.1 1.1 .2 1.6 10.6
2015–16 L.A. Lakers 81 81 23.2 .443 .000 .807 4.9 1.2 .4 1.4 5.9
2016–17 Charlotte 42 13 16.0 .542 — .813 3.6 .5 .2 1.0 5.2
Denver 6 0 1.8 .667 — — .3 .2 .0 .3 .7
Career 662 586 24.8 .465 .250 .755 6.3 1.3 .4 1.7 10.0
All-Star 2 0 11.0 .625 .000 1.000 4.0 1.5 .0 .0 5.5

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011 Indiana 5 5 26.4 .444 — .706 6.8 .6 .4 1.8 10.4
2012 Indiana 11 11 30.9 .500 1.000 .667 11.2 1.1 .4 3.1 11.7
2013 Indiana 19 19 36.5 .511 — .806 9.9 1.4 .2 1.9 17.0
2014 Indiana 19 19 28.5 .449 .000 .772 5.5 .9 .2 1.4 9.3
Career 54 54 31.6 .486 .500 .765 8.3 1.1 .2 2.0 12.6

See also

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References

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Further reading

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Roy Hibbert

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Roy Hibbert (born December 11, 1986) is an American former professional basketball player who spent ten seasons in the (NBA) as a 7-foot-2-inch center, best known for anchoring the ' defense during their mid-2010s Eastern Conference Finals appearances. Born in , New York, to parents of Trinidadian and Jamaican descent, Hibbert grew up in and attended before playing at from 2004 to 2008. At Georgetown, the center earned second-team All-American honors as a senior in 2008, averaging 13.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game while leading the Hoyas to the NCAA Tournament . Selected 17th overall in the by the , Hibbert's rights were immediately traded to the in exchange for the 60th pick and cash considerations. He spent the first seven seasons of his career with (2008–2015), evolving into a dominant rim protector and key member of the team's physical, defense-first identity under coach . Over 533 regular-season games with the Pacers, Hibbert averaged 11.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game, peaking in the 2013–14 season with 10.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks while helping Indiana secure the league's best record at 56–26. Hibbert's defensive prowess earned him two NBA All-Star selections (2012 and 2014) and a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team in 2014, where he finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. In the playoffs, he shone brightest during the 2013 and 2014 postseason runs, averaging 17.0 points and 9.9 rebounds in 19 games in 2013 and 9.4 points and 6.6 rebounds in 19 games in 2014 while pushing the to seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals both years, including a memorable 24-point, 24-rebound performance in Game 1 of the 2012 ECF. After signing a four-year, $58 million contract extension with in 2012, Hibbert's production declined sharply following the 2013–14 season due to a combination of injuries, offensive stagnation, and the NBA's shift toward pace-and-space playstyles. Traded to the in July 2015, he appeared in 81 games during the 2015–16 season before being waived; he then signed with the Charlotte Hornets for 42 games and the for 6 games in 2016–17, playing his final 48 games while averaging 5.0 points and 3.5 rebounds. Hibbert retired from the NBA in August 2017 after a career totaling 662 regular-season games, 6,611 points, 4,173 rebounds, and 1,146 blocks. Since retiring, Hibbert has transitioned into media and coaching roles, serving as a player development coach for the Philadelphia 76ers from 2019 to 2022. Since 2022, he has worked as a college basketball analyst for CBS Sports. As of 2025, he maintains an active YouTube channel analyzing NBA games and sharing career anecdotes, and he occasionally appears at games as a fan and ambassador for the Pacers organization.

Early years

Childhood and family

Roy Hibbert was born on December 11, 1986, in , New York, to Roy Hibbert Sr., a Jamaican immigrant who worked as a lieutenant in a prison, and Patricia "Paddy" Hibbert, a Trinidadian immigrant with over 25 years of experience in administration. The family relocated to Adelphi, , when Hibbert was two years old, where his parents, both holding multiple jobs, instilled values of education and hard work reflective of their immigrant backgrounds. As an in a sheltered environment, Hibbert spent much of his early time indoors, supported by his parents' emphasis on discipline and achievement. Around the time of the move, his parents introduced him to , sparking his initial interest in the sport amid a childhood marked by their heritage, which later contributed to his eligibility for Jamaica's national team.

High school career

Hibbert attended in , beginning in 2001, where he developed as a basketball player on the starting as a . As a , he averaged 10 points and nine rebounds per game in Interstate Athletic Conference (I.A.C.) play, contributing to the team's second-place league finish. During his high school years, Hibbert underwent a notable growth spurt, expanding from 6 feet 8 inches in to 7 feet 2 inches by his senior year, which transformed him into a dominant presence in the as a . In his senior season of 2003–04, Hibbert served as team captain and averaged 19.1 points and 13.3 rebounds per game, guiding Georgetown Prep to a co-championship in the I.A.C. His earned him All-I.A.C. recognition and a spot on the second-team All-Met squad. Highly regarded by college recruiters, Hibbert committed to as a rising junior in June 2002, drawn by the program's location near his home and the influence of assistant coach Ronnie Thompson, who played a key role in his recruitment under head coach Craig Esherick.

College career

2004–2006 seasons

Roy Hibbert arrived at in 2004 as part of a highly touted class that included forward Jeff Green, joining a rebuilding program under new head coach , who had taken over that summer to revitalize the Hoyas after several years of NIT appearances. As a 7-foot-2 center, Hibbert adjusted to the college game by providing rim protection and rebounding in a rotation role early in the season before earning a starting spot eight games in. He appeared in 32 games, starting 17, and averaged 5.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 46.9 percent from the field. His contributions helped the Hoyas achieve a 19-13 overall record and 8-8 mark in Big East play, securing a seventh-place conference finish; the team lost in the first round of the NIT to Holy Cross. In his sophomore season of 2005–06, Hibbert emerged as a cornerstone of the frontcourt, starting all 33 games and showing marked improvement in efficiency and production. He averaged 11.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game, leading the team in rebounding and ranking second in scoring while shooting an impressive 59.0 percent from the field—14th in the Big East for field-goal percentage. Alongside , who led the team in scoring, Hibbert anchored a defense that held opponents to 58.9 (12th nationally), contributing to a 23-10 overall record, a 10-6 Big East finish (fifth place), and an NCAA Tournament berth. The Hoyas reached the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 1996, defeating Northern Iowa and Notre Dame before a loss to eventual champion . Under Thompson III's guidance, Hibbert's development focused on enhancing his post defense, footwork, and overall conditioning during , transforming him from a raw prospect into a more dominant interior presence and vocal leader despite his youth. Thompson praised Hibbert's growth as "tremendous," noting his evolution into a reliable shot-blocker and rebounder who complemented Green's versatility in a balanced, team-oriented system. This period laid the foundation for Georgetown's resurgence, with Hibbert's progress signaling the program's shift toward contention in the competitive Big East.

2006–2008 seasons

During his junior season in 2006–07, Hibbert emerged as a key contributor for the , averaging 12.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game while shooting 67.1 percent from the field. He earned unanimous selection to the All-Big East First Team alongside teammate Jeff Green. Hibbert's interior presence was instrumental in leading the Hoyas to the Big East Tournament championship, where he recorded 18 points and 11 rebounds in the title game against , limiting their All-American center Aaron Gray to three points on 1-of-13 shooting. The team advanced to the NCAA Tournament's , Georgetown's first appearance since , before falling to Ohio State in the semifinals. As a senior in 2007–08, Hibbert captained the team and averaged 13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game, anchoring Georgetown's defense as one of the nation's top units. His leadership extended to mentoring incoming freshmen like center , helping integrate the next generation of big men into the Hoyas' system. The Hoyas, ranked in the top 10 for much of the season, captured the Big East regular-season title for the second straight year and reached the NCAA Tournament's second round, where they lost to Davidson. Hibbert received unanimous All-Big East First Team honors and was named a second-team All-American. Following the season, Hibbert participated in pre-draft workouts and, having exhausted his college eligibility after four years at , declared for the in April.

Professional career

Indiana Pacers (2008–2015)

Hibbert was selected by the with the 17th overall pick in the out of before his rights were traded to the on July 9, 2008, as part of a larger trade that also sent , , and to in exchange for and the draft rights to . The 7-foot-2 center quickly adapted to the professional level, serving as a key interior presence for a Pacers team rebuilding around young talent like and Mike Dunleavy. His arrival helped solidify the frontcourt alongside forward , providing rim protection and rebounding that addressed 's defensive vulnerabilities from prior seasons. In his 2008–09 season, Hibbert appeared in 70 games, starting 41, while averaging 7.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game in 14.5 minutes of play. His efficient scoring inside (50.4 percent ) and shot-altering ability earned him a selection to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, recognizing him among the league's top first-year performers alongside players like and . Though the Pacers finished 36–46 and missed the playoffs, Hibbert's poise in pick-and-roll defense and offensive rebounding (1.8 per game) laid the foundation for his growth as a starter. Hibbert's development accelerated in the following years, transforming him into one of the Eastern Conference's premier defensive anchors. During the 2010–11 season, he started all 81 games, boosting his averages to 12.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game while helping the Pacers secure a playoff berth for the first time since 2006. His progression continued in 2011–12, when he earned his first NBA selection after posting 12.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game across 65 appearances, including a career-high 49.7 percent shooting efficiency. These improvements stemmed from enhanced conditioning and tactical adjustments under coach , who emphasized Hibbert's role in a gritty, physical style that limited opponents' interior scoring. The 2012–13 campaign marked the peak of Hibbert's defensive impact, as he averaged 11.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and a league-third-best 2.6 blocks per game en route to All-NBA Third Team honors. His rim protection was instrumental in the Pacers' league-best defensive rating (90.7 points allowed per 100 possessions), propelling to 49 wins and the top seed in the East. In the playoffs, Hibbert anchored the team's stout defense during three consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances against the from 2012 to 2014, where he altered shots and controlled the paint against and . In the 2013 series, he averaged 22.1 points and 10.4 rebounds across seven games, including a 23-point, 12-rebound effort in that forced a decisive seventh game. The following year, after earning his second nod and All-Defensive Second Team recognition (with 10.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game), Hibbert's performance faltered in of the 2014 ECF, where he managed just 8 points and 4 rebounds in 32 minutes amid Miami's 117–92 rout, drawing widespread criticism for his lackluster effort and inability to impact the glass or rim. This outing symbolized broader postseason inconsistencies that plagued his later years with . Off the court, Hibbert's value was affirmed in July 2012 when the Pacers matched a four-year, $58 million maximum offer sheet from the , securing him through the 2015–16 season as the franchise's cornerstone big man. However, signs of decline emerged in 2014–15, as injuries and reduced mobility led to averages of 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game in 76 starts, with his defensive rating dipping below league averages for centers. On July 9, 2015, amid ongoing questions about his fit in an evolving NBA, the Pacers traded Hibbert to the in exchange for a protected future second-round draft pick, ending his seven-year tenure in where he had become synonymous with the team's defensive identity.

Los Angeles Lakers (2015–2016)

On July 9, 2015, the Indiana Pacers traded center Roy Hibbert to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for a protected 2019 second-round draft pick. The deal allowed the Lakers to absorb Hibbert's $15,514,031 salary for the 2015–16 season, the final year of his four-year, $58 million extension originally signed with Indiana in 2012. To facilitate the trade, Hibbert waived a $2.3 million trade kicker clause that would have increased his salary upon being dealt. In his only season with the Lakers, Hibbert appeared in all 81 games, starting the first 31 before transitioning to a bench . He averaged 5.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game in 23.2 minutes, while shooting 44.3% from the field. His production suffered from inconsistent shooting and reduced mobility, exacerbated by a mid-season shift toward smaller lineups that limited his effectiveness as a traditional rim protector. The Lakers endured a dismal 17–65 campaign, finishing last in the Western Conference and missing the playoffs for the third straight year. Hibbert split time at center with power forwards Julius Randle and Larry Nance Jr., who provided more versatility in head coach Byron Scott's small-ball experiments. Critics noted that Hibbert's plodding style and reluctance to stretch the floor clashed with the NBA's growing emphasis on pace-and-space offenses, rendering him a poor fit for the rebuilding roster. As an unrestricted free agent following the season, Hibbert signed a one-year, $5 million with the Charlotte Hornets on July 7, 2016, opting for a playoff-contending team in the Eastern Conference over longer-term offers elsewhere.

Charlotte Hornets (2016–2017)

On July 7, 2016, the Charlotte Hornets signed free-agent center Roy Hibbert to a one-year worth $5 million. Hibbert, who had spent the previous season with the , joined the team as a veteran presence in the frontcourt, aiming to provide depth and rim protection behind starting center . Coming off a year in marked by mobility limitations that restricted his effectiveness in a fast-paced system, Hibbert adapted to a backup role suited to his skill set. In the 2016–17 season, Hibbert appeared in 42 games for the Hornets, including 13 starts, averaging 5.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks in 16.0 minutes per game while shooting 54.2 percent from the field. He contributed defensively off the bench, using his 7-foot-2 frame to alter shots and secure rebounds, particularly during stretches when Zeller dealt with injuries. As a seasoned big man, Hibbert helped stabilize the rotation alongside younger players like , offering guidance in a frontcourt that lacked consistent depth. The Hornets finished the season with a 36–46 record, missing the for the second straight year. On , 2017, prior to the trade deadline, Charlotte traded Hibbert and forward to the in exchange for center , a move designed to acquire a younger option at the position and create flexibility under the .

Denver Nuggets (2017)

On February 23, 2017, the Denver Nuggets acquired Roy Hibbert from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for a protected 2019 second-round draft pick, aiming to add veteran depth at center behind Nikola Jokić. Hibbert, whose contract was expiring at $5 million for the season, was expected to provide insurance and leadership to a young frontcourt. Hibbert appeared in seven games for the Nuggets during the 2016–17 season, none as a starter, averaging 0.6 points, 0.3 rebounds, and 1.6 minutes per game while hampered by lingering injuries that limited his role. His debut came on February 26 against the , but ongoing physical issues from prior knee problems restricted him to minimal playing time as the team prioritized younger players. Despite the brevity of his stint, Hibbert offered brief mentorship to teammates, drawing on his nine years of NBA experience. Following the season, Hibbert became an unrestricted on July 1, 2017, after the Nuggets renounced their rights to him on July 13. He did not sign with another team during the 2017–18 season and announced his retirement from the NBA on July 17, 2018, at age 31, citing a desire to move on after a career that spanned nine seasons and earned him over $100 million in salary.

National team career

Hibbert, born in the United States to parents of and descent, was eligible to represent or in international . Early in his career, while still in college, he was selected to the Men's team in 2007, where he served as the starting center for the squad composed primarily of collegiate players. The team won the gold medal at the tournament in Rio de Janeiro, , with Hibbert contributing significantly to the victory through his rebounding and shot-blocking prowess. During his professional prime with the , Hibbert chose to represent at the senior international level. In July 2010, he captained the Jamaican national team at the Centrobasket Championship in , , where he averaged 19 points per game to lead the tournament in scoring. finished fifth in the competition, but Hibbert's participation marked his only official senior-level appearance for the island nation. Following the 2010 tournament, Hibbert sought to switch allegiance back to the for the , requesting a release from his Jamaican commitments to become eligible for . However, , which limit changes in national team representation after competing in an official senior tournament, prevented the switch despite Jamaica's willingness to grant permission. He received no further invitations to senior camps or rosters, focusing instead on his NBA career amid competition from other American centers.

Post-playing career

Coaching career

Following his retirement from playing in 2018, Roy Hibbert transitioned into coaching with the , where he was hired on August 9, 2019, as a player development specialist under head coach , with a primary focus on developing big men. In this role, Hibbert drew upon his own experiences as a two-time to mentor young frontcourt players, emphasizing techniques such as footwork, defensive positioning, and building —lessons he had learned during his peak years with the . His work was particularly geared toward enhancing the skills of tall players in a league increasingly favoring versatility and perimeter defense. During the 2019–20 season, Hibbert's duties included intensive sessions with point-forward , where he addressed Simmons' footwork, defensive fundamentals, and confidence issues amid the player's high-profile struggles. He also collaborated closely with star center , providing matchup practice and post-development drills, as Embiid himself noted Hibbert's role in challenging him during training camp workouts. Hibbert extended his guidance to other bigs like and emerging talents such as Paul Reed, focusing on rim protection and overall player growth within the 76ers' system. After Brown's departure, Hibbert continued in the same capacity under new head coach for the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons, adapting to the staff changes while maintaining his emphasis on mental resilience drawn from his career highs and lows. Hibbert departed the 76ers in June 2022 after three seasons, describing the role—particularly the initial year—as "the worst experience of my life" due to a perceived lack of among players and the intense demands that led to burnout. He cited a preference for less demanding professional pursuits, highlighting the challenges of shifting from a high-profile playing career to the behind-the-scenes rigors of coaching, including managing star egos and inconsistent practice attendance. As of 2025, Hibbert has not returned to any coaching position, opting instead for opportunities outside the court. His brief tenure underscored the difficulties many former players face in this transition, despite his valuable insights into big-man play.

Broadcasting and media career

Following his retirement from professional basketball, Roy Hibbert transitioned into broadcasting and media analysis, leveraging his experience as a two-time NBA center to provide insights on the game. In 2022, he joined as a studio analyst for Division I men's coverage, contributing to regular-season matchups and the NCAA Tournament. His role extended through the 2024–25 season, where he offered analysis on key games and tournament developments, drawing on his background and NBA tenure for perspectives on big-man play and . Hibbert expanded his media presence with guest appearances on networks such as ESPN and SiriusXM NBA Radio, discussing NBA trends, playoff matchups, and the evolution of the center position. For instance, in 2025, he appeared on CBS Sports HQ to recap NBA Finals games involving the Indiana Pacers, highlighting strategic adjustments and player performances. He has also contributed to podcasts, sharing thoughts on player development and the importance of mental resilience in professional sports, informed briefly by his coaching experiences that enhance his analytical depth. Additionally, as of 2025, Hibbert maintains an active YouTube channel (@RoyHibbertYT) where he analyzes NBA games, reacts to highlights, and shares career anecdotes. Additionally, Hibbert engages in motivational speaking through his personal website, focusing on , confidence-building, and personal growth techniques derived from his athletic . These sessions aim to empower attendees with practical methods for overcoming challenges and maximizing potential. As of 2025, Hibbert maintains his roles with the Pacers-related media, including contributions, and , where he is recognized for delivering engaging, insider commentary on frontcourt strategies and game flow.

Personal life

Family

Roy Hibbert married his longtime girlfriend, Valerie Cooke, on September 20, 2014, in a private ceremony in . The couple first met while attending , where Cooke earned a degree in and international business. Hibbert and Cooke have four children together: sons Trey, Hayden Reece, and Remington Drake, and daughter Serena Star. The family maintains a low public profile, with Hibbert often sharing limited glimpses of family life on , such as reading stories to his children during commutes. Following his NBA retirement in 2017, Hibbert has emphasized balanced parenting and with his children amid his broadcasting commitments. As of 2024, the family resides in Lansdowne, , close to Hibbert's roots in the state where he grew up after moving there at age two. Cooke supports the household through her work as an independent agent at , a firm. Hibbert remains closely connected to his parents, Roy Sr. and Patricia "Paddy" Hibbert, who instilled values of hard work during his upbringing, and he credits them for shaping his family-oriented approach post-career.

Philanthropy and faith

Hibbert established the Roy Hibbert, Jr. Foundation in 2011 to promote education, health, and youth development for at-risk children and families, with a particular emphasis on communities in the Greater Washington, D.C., area and . The foundation partners with organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington to deliver mentoring, scholarships, training programs, technology resources, and transportation support for youth initiatives. Through the foundation, Hibbert has funded scholarships and anti-bullying efforts, including a $25,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs' Youth of the Year program, which recognizes outstanding young leaders for their academic, service, and personal contributions. His philanthropy extends to significant personal gifts, such as a $1 million donation in 2014 to for the construction of the John Thompson Jr. Intercollegiate Athletics Center, supporting athletic facilities and student-athlete development. Hibbert's mother, , serves as the foundation's administrator, and the family occasionally participates in related charitable events. In recent years, Hibbert has advocated for awareness in sports, drawing from his own experiences with sports psychologists during his NBA career to highlight the stigma and need for open conversations about resilience and well-being among athletes. As of 2025, Hibbert continues his philanthropic efforts more quietly through speaking engagements under the "Stand Tall Start Small" initiative, where he shares messages on overcoming self-doubt and achieving potential, often tying into and inspirational themes. Hibbert's personal plays a role in his approach to resilience, as he has referenced finding strength in Christian principles during challenging times in his , though details on specific church involvement or studies are not extensively documented in public sources. His speaking often weaves in motivational elements inspired by to encourage faith-based personal development.

Career statistics

Regular season

Roy Hibbert played nine seasons in the (NBA), appearing in 662 regular-season games across four teams and accumulating averages of 9.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.4 steals, 1.7 blocks, and 24.6 minutes per game while shooting 46.3% from the field, 28.6% from three-point range, and 75.9% from the free-throw line. His regular-season production peaked during his tenure with the from 2009–10 to 2014–15, where he transitioned from a rotational player to a full-time starter and defensive anchor, before declining in role and output with the , Charlotte Hornets, and . The following table summarizes Hibbert's year-by-year regular-season per-game statistics:
SeasonTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2008–09IND704214.4.471.6673.50.70.31.17.1
2009–10IND816925.1.495.500.7545.72.00.41.611.7
2010–11IND818027.7.461.000.7457.52.00.41.812.7
2011–12IND656529.8.497.000.7118.81.70.52.012.8
2012–13IND797928.7.448.250.7418.31.40.52.611.9
2013–14IND818129.7.439.400.7706.61.10.42.210.8
2014–15IND767625.3.446.000.8247.11.10.21.610.6
2015–16LAL818123.2.443.000.8074.91.20.41.45.9
2016–17CHA12514.0.486.000.7863.50.80.30.65.8
2016–17DEN3608.7.583.000.8002.90.30.10.42.7
Career66258624.6.463.286.7596.51.30.41.79.9
Hibbert's statistical peak occurred in the 2012–13 season, when he averaged 11.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and a career-high 2.6 blocks per game over 79 appearances, contributing significantly to the Pacers' defensive identity. Following that, his production declined post-2014, with per-game scoring dropping below 8.0 points from the 2015–16 season onward amid reduced playing time and team changes. As a rim protector, Hibbert's career 1.7 blocks per game underscored his value in the paint, though his overall efficiency waned, with falling from a high of 58.5% in 2012–13 to 52.7% in 2015–16. His minutes per game evolved from a peak of 29.7 as a starting in 2013–14 to reserve minutes under 15.0 in his final season. These trends reflect the NBA's broader evolution in the from post-dominant playstyles reliant on traditional centers to a small-ball era favoring versatile, perimeter-oriented lineups.

Playoffs

Hibbert appeared in the five times during his tenure with the from 2011 to 2015, playing a pivotal role in the team's defensive identity during their Eastern Conference contention years. His postseason performances highlighted his rim protection and rebounding prowess, often elevating the Pacers' interior defense in high-stakes series. Over his playoff career, Hibbert participated in 54 games, averaging 12.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.3 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game while shooting 48.8% from the field. The following table summarizes Hibbert's career playoff per-game averages:
CategoryGPMPGFG%3P%FT%PPGRPGAPGSPGBPG
Career Playoffs5431.3.488.333.75012.48.41.10.32.0
Hibbert's most memorable playoff contributions came during the Pacers' deep runs from 2012 to 2014, where he anchored a defense that ranked among the league's best. In the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals against the , he averaged 22.1 points and 10.4 rebounds per game across seven contests, including a standout 29-point, 17-rebound effort in Game 2 that helped tie the series. His shot-altering presence forced adjustments from the , contributing to the Pacers winning three of the first four games before falling in seven. The following year, in the 2014 first-round series against the , Hibbert's defensive impact was crucial in the Pacers' 4-3 upset victory; despite series averages of 5.3 points and 3.7 rebounds, he recorded five blocks in Game 7 to secure the win and advance. Hibbert's playoff output declined in later years, exemplified by the 2015 first-round exit against the , where he averaged just 5.8 points and 4.2 rebounds over six games as was eliminated. After departing the Pacers, Hibbert did not return to the postseason during stints with the , Charlotte Hornets, and . Throughout his playoff tenure, Hibbert demonstrated elevated rebounding and blocking compared to his regular-season norms, particularly in 2013 when he posted 9.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game across 19 contests—figures that bolstered the Pacers' league-leading defensive rating of 96.7 points allowed per 100 possessions that year. His interior dominance during the 2013 ECF specifically hampered the Heat's efficiency, holding Miami to under 100 points in four of the seven games and limiting their paint scoring, which underscored his role in elevating the team's overall defensive impact.

Awards and honors

NBA achievements

Hibbert earned recognition as a promising rookie when he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team following the 2008-09 season, where he averaged 7.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per game while anchoring the ' frontcourt. During his prime years with the , Hibbert established himself as one of the league's top defensive centers, earning Eastern Conference reserve selections in 2012 and 2014 for his rim protection and rebounding prowess. In the 2012-13 season, he recorded 206 blocks, the second-highest single-season total in franchise history at the time, contributing to the ' league-leading defensive rating. He also set a single-game record with 11 blocks in a November 2012 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats. Hibbert's defensive impact peaked in the 2013-14 season, when he was selected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team and finished second in voting for Defensive Player of the Year behind , highlighted by averages of 10.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. Following his trade to the in July 2015, Hibbert's production declined sharply, and he received no further major NBA honors over the remainder of his career with the Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, and , solidifying his legacy primarily as a Pacers icon from his defensive prime.

College achievements

During his sophomore season in 2005–06, Hibbert earned All-Big East Second Team honors after averaging 11.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while leading the Hoyas in scoring and rebounding. As a junior in 2006–07, he was selected to the All-Big East First Team and the All-Big East Tournament Team, contributing to Georgetown's Big East Conference championship and subsequent run to the NCAA Final Four. In his senior year of 2007–08, Hibbert repeated as a First Team All-Big East selection, capping a campaign that saw the Hoyas win the Big East regular-season title and advance to the ; he also earned consensus second-team All-American honors from the . Hibbert's defensive prowess was evident in recording 75 blocks during the 2007–08 regular season (2.2 per game), while his overall performance positioned him as a top-20 prospect entering the 2008 draft.

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