Andre Drummond

Andre Jamal Drummond, a professional basketball player born on August 10, 1993 started his basketball journey as one of the top-rated high school players in 2011 in the United States under the Connecticut Huskies team. He declared for NBA draft after just one season and was selected by the Detroit Pistons during the first round of the NBA draft of 2012, earning him the ninth overall pick.

Drummond, a native of Mount Vernon, New York, was born to Jamaican parents and moved to Connecticut when he was 7. He developed his basketball skills from a young age, starting from Woodrow Wilson Middle School then moving to Capital Preparatory Magnet School in Hartford. Here, he caught the attention of basketball enthusiasts averaging 12.7 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 blocks per game during his first year before moving to St. Thomas More in Oakdale where he recovered from a foot injury.

With his refined skills, he led the St. Thomas More team to the national prep championship in 2011. The success cinched his position as the number one player in the class of 2011 according to ESPN and NBADraft.net. His prowess saw him secure a spot in the United States team at the 2010 FIBA Under-17 World Championship, where he helped secure a victory against Poland.

Opting not to spend his postgraduate year at Wilbraham & Monson Academy, Drummond chose to join the University of Connecticut, a decision that surprised many. During his freshman year, he proved his worth, leading the team in rebounds per game, blocks per game and field goal percentage. Despite his team’s loss to Iowa State in the NCAA tournament, Drummond decided to enter the 2012 NBA draft.

At the NBA, Drummond was selected by the Detroit Pistons earning the ninth overall pick. His rookie season was exemplified by an average of 7.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.0 steal, and 1.6 blocks in 20.7 minutes per game. This performance saw him named in the 2012-13 NBA All-Rookie Second Team. He also finished fourth in the NBA Rookie of the Year voting.

Drummond’s career took a major leap in 2014 when he recorded his career-high 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game against New Orleans and was named the MVP of that game and a member of the U.S. national team. He continued to excel, breaking records and winning awards. He became a member of the 2014 U.S. national team that won a gold medal in the FIBA Basketball World Cup. In 2016, Drummond scored his first NBA All-Star Game selection making him an All-Star for the first time.

Drummond’s talents didn’t go unnoticed by other teams; in 2020 he was traded to Cleveland Cavaliers. After a buyout agreement with Cleveland in 2021, he joined the Los Angeles Lakers for the rest of the 2020-21 season. He has also played for the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets.

With an impeccable rebounding record, he was considered one of the best in the league. Despite his success in the NBA, Drummond remained grounded and committed to family life and even had a son named Austin in 2016.

In July 2016, Drummond re-signed with the Pistons on a five-year, $130 million contract. Over the years, he has further developed his play, breaking new records and setting new personal bests. Drummond became the first player since Dennis Rodman to average 16 rebounds per game in a season during the 2017-18 season.

As of 2018, Drummond had made his mark in the NBA by breaking records, pushing boundaries, and continuing to make significant contributions to his team’s success. He continues to play in the NBA where he consistently gives excellent performances and is currently a player for the Chicago Bulls of the NBA.