Drafted with the No. 7 pick of the 1999 NBA Draft by the Wizards, Hamilton quickly became one of the most consistent scorers in the NBA during the 2000s. He averaged 17-plus points every season from 2000-01 to 2009-10, including a career-high average of 20.1 points during 2005-06.
After three seasons in Washington, Hamilton was traded to Detroit, where he would leave his lasting mark on NBA history as the leading scorer for the 2004 champion Detroit Pistons. With no Hall of Famers on the roster, the 2003-04 Pistons will be remembered as one of the most surprising, and inspiring, champions in NBA history. After winning the championship, Hamilton continued to lead Detroit and earned three-straight All-Star team selections from 2005-08.
Hamilton was perhaps best-known for his signature protective face mask, which he started to wear in 2003 after breaking his nose twice to start the 03-04 season. Hamilton continued to wear the mask for the rest of his NBA career.
Hamilton announced his retirement from the NBA in Feb. 2015. He retired with career averages of 17.1 points, 3.4 assists and 3.1 rebounds. The Pistons retired his No. 32 jersey in Feb. 2016.
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