For 90 days get to know more about the International Faces of the NBA. Day 19 brings us…
Samuel Dalembert (C, New York Knicks), Haiti
Height: 2.11m, 6-foot 11 | Weight: 113.4kg, 250 pounds | Born: 10 May, 1981
Samuel Dalembert hasn't had much time to unpack in the last few years.
The Haitian Sensation was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the New York Knicks in June – the move marks his sixth team in six years. This is certainly a change of pace from the beginning of his career where he spent his first eight seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers.
In spite of the many teams he has played for in recent years, there is one thing that has stayed consistent: Dalembert's career as a blocking machine. He currently ranks second in 76ers' history in total blocks and 34th in NBA history in blocks per game.
Dalembert, now 33 years old, showed a slight decline overall in numbers last season. Shared court time with fellow big men Brandan Wright and DeJuan Blair may be partially to blame. He may have only averaged 20.2 minutes per game, but he still recorded 16 games with 10+ rebounds. He also put up better numbers when it counted, having a breakout Game 3 in the first round of the playoffs against the Spurs, recording 13 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks.
Dalembert will look to get more playing time with the Knicks this year, heading back to the area where he attended high school and college. And if he can make his mark, perhaps he can make a home in New York once again and hopefully unpack his bags.
Key Stats
2013-14 Season- GP: 80 | MPG: 20.2 | PTS: 6.6 | REB: 6.8| BLK: 1.2
2014 Playoffs- GP: 7 | MPG: 19.3| PTS: 4.6 | REB: 8.4| BLK: 1.4
Season Highlight: Recorded 12 points, 15 rebounds and 7 blocks on 23 March against Brooklyn.
Awards:
*J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (2009-10)
5 Things to Know:
1. He was awarded the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for his relief efforts after the earthquake in Haiti in 2010. His efforts included two visits to Haiti to raise awareness and a personal contribution of $100,000 to UNICEF..
2. He was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and moved to Montreal, Canada when he was 14 years old. He later moved to the U.S. and attended high school and college in New Jersey.
3. He did not start playing basketball until his sophomore year of high school.
4. He speaks fluent French, Creole and English.
5. He is the only Haitian-born player currently in the NBA.
Check out Dalembert's photos and video in the LEAGUE section of NBA Game Time.
Previous: Victor Claver (Portland Trail Blazers, Spain) | Next Up: Luigi Datome (Detroit Pistons, Italy)