An honorable mention All-America as a senior at Illinois, Kiwane Garris was a late cut by the Los Angeles Clippers prior to the 1997-98 season. After beginning the campaign with the Grand Rapids Hoops of the CBA, he was signed by the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 24, 1997.
Garris, a 6-2 guard, ranks second on Illinois' career scoring and assists lists. He's the school's all-time leader in free throws made in a season and a career and ranks second in career free throw attempts as well as career three-pointers made and attempted.
Garris set an Illinois freshman mark by averaging 15.9 ppg in 1993-94, a figure he matched the following season when he led the team in scoring. he topped the Big Ten in free throw shooting as a junior and ranked fourth in the conference in scoring, while as a senior he ranked second in the Big Ten in both scoring and assists. He averaged career-highs of 19.4 points and 5.6 assists as a senior, when he gained All-Big Ten First Team honors. He twice scored a career-high 34 points, against California and Northwestern.
Not drafted by an NBA team, Garris signed as a free agent with the Clippers but was cut the day before the start of the season. He signed with Grand Rapids and averaged 16.8 ppg, 5.2 apg and 3.4 rpg in five CBA games before being signed by the Nuggets.
1999-2000 REGULAR SEASON
Waived by the Orlando Magic on 1/4
Signed as a free agent by the Orlando Magic on 12/21
1997-1998 REGULAR SEASON
Waived by the Nuggets on 3/13
Made his NBA debut against the L.A. Lakers on 12/3
Signed as a free agent by the Denver Nuggets on 11/24
Began the season with the Grand Rapids Hoops of the CBA, averaging 16.8 ppg, 5.2 apg and 3.4 rpg in 5 games
