Alonzo Mourning

Biography

Alonzo Mourning, a slightly undersized center has not let that deter him from being one of the era's best centers. He attended Georgetown as did other comtemporary centers Patrick Ewing and Dikembe Mutombo and entered the league as the second overall selection in the 1992 NBA Draft behind Shaquille O'Neal. He quickly brought his enegy and tenacity to the young Charlotte Hornets franchise. He was a unanimous choice for the NBA All-Rookie First Team and and runner-up to O'Neal for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. Mourning has probably delivered more offensivley than most expected. But along with his defensive presence that has brought NBA Defensive Player of the Year Awards and also kept him atop the league leaders in block shots, he became an perennial NBA All-Star. After a contract squabble led to his trade to the Miami Heat, the Heat became a championship contending team. However, before the 2000-01 season, he was diagnosed with focal glomerulosclerosis, a kidney disorder that has for the past few seasons caused him to miss major chunks of games. After mising the entire 2002-03 season, he returned to the league with the New Jersey Nets upon signing as a free agent.