Latrell Sprewell is a retired NBA player who Golden State Warriors selected in the 1992 NBA draft in the 1st round with the 24th overall pick. Throughout his 13-year basketball career, Spree played for three franchises, including Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
With the ability to play at two positions, i.e., shooting guard and small forward, Latrell Sprewell has made several records, including great individual stats. The listed below table shows the title he received during his professional career.
| Sr. no | Title | Title winning frequency | year |
| 1 | NBA All-Star | 4 | 1994, 1995, 1997, 2001 |
| 2 | All NBA first team | 1 | 1994 |
| 3 | NBA all defense second team | 1 | 1994 |
| 4 | NBA all defense rookie team | 1 | 1993 |
| 5 | Second team all-SEC | 1 | 1992 |
| 6 | SEC-all defensive team | 1 | 1992 |
A good basketball player who can achieve the abovementioned titles will need to be a good performer on the court, and Latrell Sprewell was one such kind of basketball player. Sprewell averaged 18.3 PPG, 4.0 APG, and 1.29 APG throughout his NBA career.
LATRELL SPREWELL CHOKED HIS FRANCHISE COACH AND THREATENED HIM TO DEATH
Despite playing for Golden State Warriors since 1992, Sprewell once got furious in 1997 when his team coach – Carlesimo, yelled at him and told him to make accurate throws in a practice match at Oakland. The coach wanted him to “put a little mustard” when passing the ball.
In response to Carlesimo shouting, Latrell Sprewell asked him to stay away from him as he was not in the mood. But the coach still reached him, and then Sprewell could not control himself and choked him for around 9 to 10 seconds; moreover, he threatened him to death as well.
After dragging Carlesimo, Latrell Sprewell went to take a shower, where he spent a lot of time. When he returned to the practice session, everyone thought he was now cool, and he won’t repeat what he had just done. On the contrary, he again punched his team coach unexpectedly.
IT WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME
His act of choking the team coach was shocking, and no doubt he was punished for that as well (more details will be shared later on), but this was not the first time his violent incident while he was a warriors player. In 1995, he fought with Jerome Kersey, his team member. At that time, he threatened him that he would return with a gun. Another such incident was witnessed in 1993 when he fought with Byron Houston.
PUNISHMENT FOR CHOKING HIS TEAM COACH
What Sprewell did was not acceptable at all, and as a punishment, he was disqualified for ten matches without any remuneration. The next decision, due to strong condemnation by fans for his unacceptable act, the franchise decided to void his remaining contract with the franchise, including $23.7 million for three years. At the same time, the NBA suspended him from playing professional basketball games for a year.
After taking his case to arbitration, it was decided that the franchise would take their words back regarding his payment and three years suspension. However, the NBA decision remained the same, and he could not participate in the game for a year. Latrell Sprewell stayed away from 68 games.
During his one-year suspension from the game, Sprewell was also house arrested for three months as he was convicted of driving his car at 90 miles per hour; furthermore, due to the accident, two people were injured.
WHEN SPREWELL WAS TRADED TO KNICKS
After serving his NBA lockout, Sprewell returned to the game in 1999, but this time warriors traded him to New York Knicks for John Starks, Terry Cummings, and Chris Mills. Knicks fans were shocked by this news and called it an uncalculated risk and a big gamble; however, Latrell Sprewell showed himself that he is a good man and that whatever he did in the past will not repeat in the future.
In the 2000 – 2001 season, Sprewell showed his true talent and became the franchise’s leader when their teammate, Ewing, was traded to Seattle Supersonic.In 2003 Latrell Sprewell joined Minnesota Timberwolves and remained part of them until 2005 when he played the worst season of his entire career.
During the 2005-2006 season, many franchises offered him contracts, but he refused to accept their offers as they offered him a lesser amount of money which he called a slap in the face. Two teams, including Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs, offered him competitive contracts, but he failed to respond on time, and nothing came to his hands.