Position     Swingman
Nickname     Iggy, "The Other A.I."
League       NBA
Height       6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight       207 lb (94 kg)
Team         Philadelphia 76ers
Nationality  United States
Born         January 28, 1984. Springfield, Illinois
College      Arizona
Draft        9th overall, 2004

 Background 

Andre Tyler Iguodala (born January 28, 1984 in Springfield, Illinois) is an
American professional basketball player who plays for the Philadelphia 76ers
of the NBA. He was sometimes nicknamed "Iggy", and "The Other A.I." because
his initials were identical to Sixers ex-teammate Allen Iverson's.

Iguodala, a 6'6", 207-pound (1.98 m, 94 kg) swingman, was selected 9th
overall in the 2004 NBA Draft out of the University of Arizona. He was named
first team All-Rookie in 2005 and started on the rookie team during the
Rookie Challenge portion of All-Star Weekend. Iguodala played at Arizona for
two years and in the 2003-2004 season collected three triple-doubles joining
Jason Kidd as the only two players in Pac-10 history to post two or more
triple-doubles in the same season.

Until February, 2005, he wore jersey number 4, but allowed new 76ers member
Chris Webber to wear it instead, as Webber traditionally had worn that number
throughout his college career and most of his professional career. Iguodala
subsequently switched to wearing number 9. Webber reportedly bought Iguodala
a Rolex watch for allowing him to wear the number 4.

During his first year with the Philadelphia 76ers, he was the only 76er to
play and start all 82 games plus 5 playoff games. Iguodala is known for his
athleticism and already holds a reputation as a strong defender. He has also
earned a reputation as a “Vince Carter-like” dunker. Andre Iguodala proved
his versatility – he was the only rookie and 76er to record a triple-double
during the 2004-05 NBA season, despite averaging 9 points and 5.7 rebounds
per game. His efforts were rewarded when he was named to the All-Rookie First
Team. His all around play has already earned him comparisons with all-time
great Scottie Pippen as well as to current NBA star and Arizona alumnus
Richard Jefferson.

As of December 21st, 2005, he has already improved his scoring, rebounding,
assists, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, trimmed his turnovers
down and has an increased role on the team.


 All-Star Weekend and Dunk Controversy 

On February 17th, 2006, at the Rookie Challenge in Houston during the NBA
All-Star Weekend, Andre won MVP honours for his 30-point performance. A day
later, he lost in the Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk Contest to Nate Robinson.
His first dunk was a simple windmill, then for his second dunk he received a
pass from Allen Iverson off the back side of the backboard, then leaped under
the board to avoiding hitting his head then put in the reverse on the other
side. He received a "50" for pulling off this unique dunk. In the third round
he pulled off a behind-the-back dunk followed by a reverse between-the-legs
dunk. Although many fans in the Houston arena felt that Iguodala had won the
dunk contest, the award was given to Robinson, who won by a point.

Many fans, and players, were outraged by the outcome of it. Allen Iverson
said that he would not be surprised if "Andre never entered this contest
again", although Andre Iguodala said that "Nate was great and he really
deserved it." The fans are crying out that the only reason why Nate Robinson
had won was because he was one of the shortest people to enter and that he
also jumped over Spud Webb. He had 13 attempts and finally made the 14th one
during the 2nd round, which many people thought was unfair because Iguodala
said that his "legs were stiffing up as I looked on from the sidelines."

Iguodala's younger brother, Frank, is a semi-professional basketball player.


 NBA Achievements 

) The only Sixer to start every game in the 2004-2005 season, and the first
  rookie to do so since Clarence Weatherspoon in the 1992-1993 season
) Selected to the got milk? Rookie Challenge Game as a rookie
) Started all 5 of the Sixers playoff games
) Shot 49.3% from the field as a rookie and improved to 50.0% as a sophomore
) The only Sixer to start every game in his first 2 seasons with the team
  since Clarence Weatherspoon in the 1993-1994 season.
) Named MVP at the T-mobile Rookie Challenge, with 30 points, 6 rebounds,
  4 steals and 3 assists
) Finished second in the Sprite Rising Starts Slam-Dunk Competition, losing
  only by a point in the first ever dunk-off in history. The loss is still
  under debate, as many feel that Nate Robinson won unfairly.
) Recorded a triple double in his rookie year