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2003-04
Statistics
PPG 7.5
RPG 2.50
APG 1.9
EFF + 9.77
Player Profile
Anthony Peeler | 8
Position: G
Born: 11/25/69
Height: 6-4 / 1,93
Weight: 208 lbs. / 94,3 kg.
College - Missouri '92
Information
After a productive and high-scoring career as a collegian at the University of Missouri, Anthony Peeler was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round (15th pick overall) of the 1992 NBA Draft. Began playing with the Minnesota Timberwolves mid-season of the 1997-98 campaign. Has become an exciting guard who can burn defenses with a long-range bomb or a slash to the hoop.
Career Highlights
- Sank his 600th career three-pointer on 1/29/01
- Scored his 6,000th career point 4/08/00 vs. the L.A. Lakers.
- Scored his 5000th career point on 2/29/00 vs. Charlotte, sank his 500th career three-pointer on 1/31/00 vs. Sacramento, and dished out his 1000th career assist on 11/21/99 at Vancouver.
- Has appeared in 30 career NBA Playoff games, averaging 9.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 2.1 apg
- Established career-highs in 1996-97 in scoring (14.5 ppg), assists (3.6 apg), three-pointers made and attempted and steals
- Posted a career-high 40 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, for the Grizzlies, against the New Jersey Nets on 2/4/97
- Led the Lakers in 1995-96, and ranked 19th in the NBA, in three-point percentage (.413)
Personal
- Enjoys spending his free time shopping and likes to collect hats
- Has two children, Marcus Anthony and Chynna
- Favorite all-time player is Isiah Thomas
- Nickname is AP
- Is a vegetarian and loves any restaurant that serves a good salad
- Hosted the Anthony Peeler 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament in Kansas City in 1993 to benefit Easter Seals
Anthony Peeler: The Former Fan
It's one thing to become a player in the NBA. But how often do you hear about a player being able to represent the team they grew up rooting for?
For first-year Kings guard Anthony Peeler, the opportunity was 12 years in the making.
Peeler has been enjoying a solid NBA career, playing key roles with the Los Angeles Lakers, Vancouver Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves. But his heart always belonged to the Kings.
A native of Kansas City, Mo., Peeler grew up cheering for the Kings when games were still a car ride away from his house. He remembered cheering for players like Nate "Tiny" Archibald, Scott Wedman and Phil Ford as a child.
But once he hit high school, things changed.
Peeler's beloved Kings moved out of Kansas City and onto Sacramento, a place that seemed like Limbo to him and other Missourians.
"It seemed like they went across the country because they had gone so far," Peeler said. People from Kansas City didnt really know where Sacramento was since we were in the Midwest. All we knew was they went to a state where there was a lot of sun. They showed (California) had limos and palm trees. And we were like: 'Wow, they went to a new place.' But it was tough being a high school player. Because that was the team I always wanted to play for."
Nevertheless, Peeler continued to support his team. But at the time, the name 'Sacramento Kings' was something he had to get used to. After high school, Peeler continued his basketball career, playing four solid seasons at Missouri.
He was then drafted by the Lakers in the first round (15th overall) of the 1992 NBA Draft. It was around the same time Mitch Richmond had been traded to the Kings from the Golden State Warriors. Richmond, who was able to put the Kings on the NBA map during his seven-year tenure, was also a neighbor of Peeler's back in Kansas City. With a hometown hero playing on his favorite team, it made Peeler want to pay attention to his favorite team even more.
"I was always following Mitch Richmond," Peeler said. "That was my main concern because everybody wanted to be like Mitch. Growing up, I'd see Mitch at Kansas State all the time. He just lived up the street from me. To see him come in here and do what he did, I was always following him. It wasn't that hard to become a Kings fan because I knew Mitch Richmond was on the team."
Meanwhile, Peeler was putting together an NBA career of his own. He's now regarded as one of the league's top pure shooters and is highly respected by teammates past and present.
Having watched playoff games between the Kings and Lakers in recent memory, Peeler knew hed be torn between the team he grew up cheering for and the team that opened the doors to his professional career.
"When I saw the Lakers and Kings go at it in the playoffs, people would ask me who I would cheer for since I started with the Lakers," Peeler said. "After a while, I didnt really care who won those series."
This summer, Peeler was a free agent and made no secret where he wanted to play. He now dawns a Kings uniform and wears it with pride. Peeler provides veteran leadership and a spark off the bench. He also fits well with the Kings' premium of shooting.
But it's more than just the Purple and Black uniform that drives Peeler. Despite playing on playoff-caliber teams the majority of his career, an NBA title remains elusive. And being a free agent, Peeler wanted to go to the team he thought had the best chance this upcoming season. "I'm now in a situation where were on a quest for a ring," Peeler said. "This is something you wish for your whole career. To be here, it feels like you can't believe it. So it just makes you want to go out there and work harder. Theyve been trying to tell me to relax because I've been trying to come in here at night and workout even more. I'm just so happy to be in the situation that I'm in. It's just one of those situations where you have to take total advantage of it. Because you never know how long it might last."
It may not be Kansas City. But its certainly home. Most importantly, it's the Kings.
"It's awesome," Peeler said. "Because the fans are so loyal. When we're on the court, it sometimes feels like the fans are on the court too. Everybody feels like their a King and not just fan. And it makes you feel good."
| Season Highs / Career Highs |
| |
2003-04 HIGHS |
CAREER HIGHS |
| Points |
18 vs. Chicago 11/23/03 |
40 @ New Jersey 2/04/97 |
| Field Goals Made |
6 vs. Chicago 11/23/03 |
13 @ New Jersey 2/04/97 |
| Field Goals Attempted |
10 vs. Chicago 11/23/03 |
28 @ New Jersey 2/04/97 |
| Three Point Field Goals Made |
4 vs. Chicago 11/23/03 |
7 vs. Seattle 1/09/02 |
| Three Point Field Goals Attempted |
4 vs. Chicago 11/23/03 |
12 2 Times |
| Free Throws Made |
5 2 Times |
13 @ Indiana 1/28/93 |
| Free Throws Attempted |
7 vs. L.A. Clippers12/09/03 |
13 @ Indiana1/28/93 |
| Offensive Rebounds |
2 vs. L.A. Clippers 12/09/03 |
5 5 Times |
| Defensive Rebounds |
4 2 Times |
9 @ Phoenix 1/07/01 |
| Total Rebounds |
5 vs. L.A. Clippers 12/09/03 |
10 @ Phoenix 1/07/01 |
| Assists |
5 vs. Houston 11/28/03 |
10 @ Golden State 1/08/97 |
| Steals |
4 @ Denver 11/01/03 |
6 5 Times |
| Blocks |
1 3 Times |
3 @ Minnesota 2/06/97 |
| Minutes Played |
30 vs. L.A. Clippers 12/09/03 |
50 vs. L.A. Clippers 11/12/96 |
| CAREER AVERAGES |
| YEAR |
TEAM |
G |
GS |
MPG |
FG% |
3P% |
FT% |
OFF |
DEF |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
BPG |
TO |
PF |
PPG |
| 92-93 |
LAL |
77 |
11 |
21.5 |
0.468 |
0.39 |
0.786 |
0.8 |
1.5 |
2.3 |
2.2 |
0.78 |
0.18 |
1.6 |
2.5 |
10.4 |
| 93-94 |
LAL |
30 |
30 |
30.8 |
0.43 |
0.22 |
0.803 |
1.6 |
2 |
3.6 |
3.1 |
1.43 |
0.27 |
1.97 |
3.1 |
14.1 |
| 94-95 |
LAL |
73 |
24 |
21.4 |
0.432 |
0.39 |
0.797 |
0.8 |
1.5 |
2.3 |
1.7 |
0.71 |
0.18 |
1.12 |
2 |
10.4 |
| 95-96 |
LAL |
73 |
12 |
22 |
0.452 |
0.41 |
0.709 |
0.6 |
1.3 |
1.9 |
1.6 |
0.81 |
0.14 |
0.77 |
1.9 |
9.7 |
| 96-97 |
VAN |
72 |
57 |
31.8 |
0.398 |
0.37 |
0.82 |
0.8 |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.6 |
1.46 |
0.24 |
2.18 |
2.3 |
14.5 |
| 97-98 |
VAN |
8 |
8 |
25.3 |
0.486 |
0.26 |
0.667 |
0.8 |
1.8 |
2.5 |
2.9 |
1.13 |
0 |
0.75 |
2 |
9.9 |
| 97-98 |
MIN |
30 |
24 |
33 |
0.445 |
0.45 |
0.78 |
1 |
2.4 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
1.73 |
0.2 |
1.5 |
2.7 |
13 |
| 97-98 |
-- |
38 |
32 |
31.4 |
0.452 |
0.42 |
0.766 |
1 |
2.3 |
3.2 |
3.6 |
1.61 |
0.16 |
1.34 |
2.6 |
12.3 |
| 98-99 |
MIN |
28 |
28 |
28.9 |
0.379 |
0.3 |
0.732 |
1.1 |
1.9 |
3 |
2.8 |
1.25 |
0.21 |
1.36 |
2.1 |
9.6 |
| 99-00 |
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