Steve Francis Basketball Documentary - World Documentary Channel

Steven D'Shawn "Steve" Francis (born February 21, 1977) is an American retired professional basketball player. He was selected with the 2nd overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft, as well as bet the Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, as well as New York Knicks in the NBA and also the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association. He was recognized early in his job for his crossover dribble, driving capability, as well as fancy dunks.
Francis was birthed as well as increased in Takoma Park, Maryland. He was nicknamed "Wink" as a child. After his mother passed away of cancer in 1995, his grandma became a parent physique to him. He quit playing basketball for two years after his mother's death.
Francis went to the San Jacinto College of Texas in 1996, as well as the Allegany College of Maryland in 1997. Francis came to be the initial player to take 2 unbeaten teams into the National Junior College Tournament.

Steve Francis Basketball Documentary

Francis transferred to the University of Maryland in 1998 for his junior season. Francis made an instant effect as Maryland's starting shooting guard, racking up 17 factors in the period opener against Western Carolina.
The Terrapins completed second in the ACC as well as Francis was named to the All-ACC first string and the All ACC Tournament team. The Terrapins were a number 2 seed in the NCAA tournament but were defeated by St. John's in the Sweet 16. Under Francis' leadership, Maryland doned with a college document 28 success as well as just 6 losses as well as were placed # 5 in the final Associated Press poll.
Francis completed the period averaging 17 factors each video game, 4.5 helps each game, and also 2.8 takes per video game. He was an agreement second-team All-American as well as was called a finalist for the Wooden as well as Naismith Player of the Year Awards. He mentioned he was "99 % sure" he would return to Maryland for his elderly period, he decided to enter into the NBA draft.
While a participant of the Terrapins, Francis fulfilled Idan Ravin, that at the time was coaching youth basketball. Francis soon started going to Ravin's exercises as well as recommended Ravin as trainer to fellow university gamers, consisting of Elton Brand. Ravin subsequently came to be a renowneded instructor for a variety of NBA gamers.
Francis was selected second in the 1999 NBA Draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies. He publicly revealed that he did not would like to play for the Grizzlies, pointing out the proximity from his Maryland home, taxes, endorsements, and also God's will. Heavily criticized for his antics, especially in Vancouver, he yielded and briefly taken into consideration joining the Grizzlies before controversial negotiations and a happening at Vancouver International Airport persuaded the "Franchise" that he had to go a separate way. Francis acquired his wish, being traded just before the 1999-2000 period began to the Houston Rockets in a three-team, 11-player deal that brought Michael Dickerson, Othella Harrington, Antoine Carr and also Brent Price, plus first- as well as second-round picks to the Grizzlies. It was the biggest trade in NBA history at that time.
Despite sharing Rookie of the Year honors with Elton Bran as well as finishing as runner-up to Vince Carter in the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest, the Francis-led Rockets doned with a 34-48 document.
The next period the Rockets boosted to 45-37 but still missed out on the playoffs. In his third season, Francis was chosen by followers to start the 2002 NBA All-Star Game, yet ended up playing just 55 games due to a foot injury and recurring generated  headaches. Therefore the Rockets uploaded a depressing 28-54 record, landing them into the lottery, where they chose 7'6" Chinese center Yao Ming with the first pick in the 2002 NBA Draft. Francis and Yao gelled their first period together, being chosen as 2003 NBA All-Star Game beginners. Francis racked up a career-high 44 factors in a country wide telecasted house succeed against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 17, 2003. The team, even with a 43-39 record, failed to make the playoffs.