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Will Geiger is a former professional basketball player who played for the Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, and Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA. Standing at seven feet one inch tall, he played as a power forward and center. Over his 10-year career, he achieved notable stats, including a career-high 29 points in a game against Golden State and 5 steals in a game against Chicago. Geiger also made headlines off the court, refusing to waive a $5 million trade clause in 2000, which blocked a four-team deal that would have sent All-Star Allen Iverson to the Detroit Pistons.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Matthew Allen Geiger |
| Nickname | Matt Geiger |
| Date of Birth | September 10, 1969 |
| Birthplace | Salem, Massachusetts, US |
| Height | 7 ft 1 in (217 cm) |
| Weight | 243 lb (110 kg) |
| Position | Power Forward / Center |
| Schools | Countryside High School, Auburn University, Georgia Tech |
| NBA Teams | Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers |
| Career Length | 10 years |
| Notable Moments | Shaved his head during his NBA career in support of his brother, who was undergoing chemotherapy |
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What You'll Learn
Matt Geiger's college basketball career
Matthew Allen Geiger, born on September 10, 1969, in Salem, Massachusetts, is a former American professional basketball player who played at the center position. Standing at 7-foot tall and weighing 243 lbs, he possessed the physical attributes to dominate in the paint on both ends of the court.
Geiger first showcased his talent at Countryside High School in Clearwater, Florida, before taking his game to the college level with Auburn University. He showcased his potential during his time at Auburn, but it was his subsequent transfer to Georgia Tech that truly propelled his basketball career. Seeking more playing time, Geiger seized the opportunity at Georgia Tech, making a significant impact and solidifying his status as a promising young player.
During his senior year at Georgia Tech, in January 1992, Geiger's life took an emotional turn when his fraternal twin brother, Mark, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease at just 22 years old. This diagnosis left an indelible mark on Geiger, who decided to shave his head during his NBA career to show solidarity with his brother, who had lost his hair during chemotherapy.
Geiger's impressive college career, where he averaged 9.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, caught the attention of NBA scouts. His performances were duly rewarded when he was selected by the Miami Heat as the 42nd overall pick in the second round of the 1992 NBA Draft. This selection marked the beginning of a decade-long NBA journey, where he would go on to play for the Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, and Philadelphia 76ers before knee injuries forced his retirement in 2002.
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Matt Geiger's career in the NBA
Matthew Allen Geiger, born on September 10, 1969, in Salem, Massachusetts, is a former American professional basketball player who played in the NBA for 10 seasons, from 1992 to 2002. Standing at 7-foot tall and weighing 243 lbs, he played at the center position and shot with his right hand.
Geiger played high school basketball at Countryside High School in Clearwater, Florida. He then went on to play college basketball at Auburn University before transferring to Georgia Tech in search of more playing time. His successful college career led to him being selected by the Miami Heat in the second round (42nd overall pick) of the 1992 NBA draft.
Making his NBA debut on November 24, 1992, Geiger played for three teams during his 10-year career: the Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, and Philadelphia 76ers. In the summer of 2000, he made headlines when he refused to waive a $5 million trade kicker clause in his contract, preventing a four-team deal that would have sent All-Star player Allen Iverson to the Detroit Pistons. During the 2000-01 season, he was suspended for two games for violating the NBA/NBPA's steroid policy. Despite signing a contract with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2001, knee injuries forced him to retire in 2002.
Across his career, he averaged 9.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. One notable aspect of his time in the NBA was his decision to shave his head in support of his fraternal twin brother, Mark Geiger, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease during Geiger's senior year at Georgia Tech. Mark lost his hair during chemotherapy, and Matt's shaved head became a symbol of solidarity and family support.
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Matt Geiger's career-high points in an NBA game
Matt Geiger, the American former professional National Basketball Association (NBA) player, played at the center position for 10 seasons from 1992 to 2002. He played for three teams: Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, and Philadelphia 76ers.
On March 31, 1998, Matt Geiger set his career-high in blocks in an NBA game. He achieved 5 blocks, 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 1 assist in Charlotte's home win against Philadelphia, with a final score of 101-93.
Geiger also had notable performances in other areas of the game. For example, on March 3, 1999, he set his career-high in efficiency in an NBA game, achieving 36 efficiency in Philadelphia's home win against Chicago, with a final score of 102-86.
During his NBA career, Geiger shaved his head in support of his brother, who had lost his hair during chemotherapy. Outside of basketball, he resides in Tarpon Springs, Florida, where he works as a real estate investor.
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Matt Geiger's career-high rebounds in an NBA game
Matt Geiger, the 7-foot tall former NBA player, played at the center position and had a 10-year career spanning from 1992 to 2002. During his career, he played for three teams: the Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, and Philadelphia 76ers.
Geiger had a successful college basketball career at Auburn University and Georgia Tech, which led to him being selected by the Miami Heat in the 1992 NBA Draft. His career-high rebounds in an NBA game are not publicly available, but his career averages were 5.7 rebounds per game.
In addition to his on-court contributions, Geiger made headlines off the court as well. In 2000, his refusal to waive a $5 million trade kicker clause in his contract halted a potential four-team deal that would have sent All-Star player Allen Iverson to the Detroit Pistons. On a more personal note, Geiger showed his support for his brother, who was battling Hodgkin's disease, by shaving his head during his NBA career.
Geiger's impact extended beyond his playing days, as he transitioned into a career in real estate investment. In 2011, he sold his 28,000-square-foot estate in Tarpon Springs, Florida, for $8 million.
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Matt Geiger's life after basketball
Matthew Allen Geiger, born on September 10, 1969, in Salem, Massachusetts, is a retired American professional basketball player who played for the National Basketball Association (NBA) for ten seasons, from 1992 to 2002. Standing at 7 feet tall and weighing 243 pounds, he played the center position for three teams during his NBA career: the Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, and Philadelphia 76ers.
Geiger's successful college basketball career at Auburn University and Georgia Tech led to his selection in the 1992 NBA draft by the Miami Heat. He made headlines in 2000 for refusing to waive a $5 million trade kicker clause in his contract, which blocked a four-team deal that would have sent All-Star player Allen Iverson to the Detroit Pistons. However, knee injuries forced him to retire in 2002 after a decade-long career in the NBA.
Since retiring from professional basketball, Matt Geiger has pursued a career in real estate investment. He resides in Tarpon Springs, Florida, and previously owned a 28,000-square-foot estate, reportedly the largest in the county, which sold for $8 million in 2011. The grand estate was even featured in the film "The Punisher" as the residence of John Travolta's character, Mr. Saint.
During his NBA career, Geiger displayed his dedication to his family by shaving his head in support of his fraternal twin brother, Mark, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease in 1992 and underwent chemotherapy, resulting in hair loss. This act of solidarity showcased the values that guided Geiger on and off the court.
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Frequently asked questions
Matt Geiger is 7 ft 1 in (2.17 m) tall.
Matt Geiger played for the Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, and Philadelphia 76ers.
Matt Geiger played as a power forward / center.
