Brian Cardinal

Brian Cardinal was a professional basketball player in the past. Brian Cardinal played for six professional basketball clubs during his 12-year NBA career. Cardinal has continued to contribute to basketball after departing from the NBA by mentoring future generations.

Cardinal, despite his lack of talent, was always willing to go above and beyond, taking charges and diving for a ball.

As a result of his infamous playing style, he was dubbed “the custodian.”

Early Childhood, Family, and Education

Brian Cardinal was born in Tolono, Illinois, on May 2, 1977.

Rod Cardinal (father) and Mary Cardinal (mother) are his parents.

Between 1973 and 2003, his father Rod was the head basketball trainer at Illinois.

Brian grew up with his two siblings, Troy Cardinal and Lisa Cardinal, as well as his parents.

Cardinal was a Chicago Bulls enthusiast when he was younger.

Since his boyhood, he has excelled at public speaking.

Cardinal acquired the moniker “the Custodian” for his unique playing style.

His nickname came from his Piston teammates.

He was known as “The Janitor” at college. Cardinal’s method of cleaning the floor when diving for loose balls.

He also got the “Mr. Hustle” and “Courage Award” for four years in a row during his undergraduate years.

Facts of Brian Cardinal

Salary, Net worth & Career Earnings

The estimated net worth of Brian Cardinal is $15 million. But his exact net worth is not revealed to date.

The Pistons drafted Brian in the 2000 NBA draft, and Cardinal signed1 year rookie contract worth $3,16,969.

Later, he extended his contract for 2 years worth $1,053,285.

Likewise, he signed a 1-year $6,63,679 deal with Golden States Warriors after being a free agent.

After a great season with the Warriors, Cardinal signed 6 year, $37 million deal with the Grizzlies.

Although he planned to retire after the 2009-10 season, he was offered a Dallas contract. Later, he signed a 1-year deal worth $1,352,181.

Playing Style and Body Measurement

Brian Cardinal will be 45 years old in the year 2022.

He stands 2.03 meters tall and weighs 111 kilograms (245 lb). Cardinal’s BMI is 26.9 after taking into account his height and weight.

Cardinal wasn’t particularly athletic, but his effort and intelligence were impressive.

Pick-and-rolls, transitions, and offensive rebounds were all areas where he excelled.

Similarly, perimeter shooting was the most important aspect of his offense.

He was the spot-up shooter who could knock down three-pointers when needed.

Cardinal was also noted for his all-out hustle, foul picking, and rebounding.

He was the epitome of a full-fledged professional player.

Careers in High School and College

Cardinal played football for Unity High School with his brother Troy.

He also participated in the Class A Illinois Basketball Coaches Association All-Star game during his senior year. He was later named the most valuable player.

Similarly, he led West to victory in the Coca-Cola High School All-Star Game, scoring 24 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

Brian concluded his Cardinal high school career with an 86-25 record. He was also rated one of the top 100 high school seniors in the United States.

Cardinal went on to Purdue University after graduating from high school. Despite redshirting his first season, he practiced with the squad on a regular basis.

Cardinal started all 30 games for the Boilermakers during his freshman season in 1996-97.

Cardinal scored 13 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in his first college double-double versus Western Michigan.

Brian was the team’s third-leading scorer at the time, averaging 10.6 points per game. He also had the second-most rebounds on the squad with 182.

Captain of the team

Cardinal was elected Purdue team captain during his junior season in 1998-99. Cardinal scored 11.4 points per possession and set a new Boilmakers record with 259 steals.

Cardinal set a career-high with 33 points against Michigan on January 23, 1999. For the second year in a row, he was chosen to the All-Big Ten Third Team.

Cardinal was named team captain once more. He concluded his senior year with 13.9 points per game and a season-high 203 rebounds.

He was also named to the All-Big Ten Second Team his senior year. He later led Purdue to the NCCA tournament once more.

In his four years, he made a perfect four tournament appearances. Boilermakers had a deep run towards Elite 8 during his final year.

Brian currently ranks 18th all-time in Purdue scoring with 1,584 points.

Similarly, his 269 steals rank second all-time. Chris Kramer’s (2006-2010) record of 260 thefts was broken.

Brian is also second on the team in starts with 125, trailing only E’ Twaun Morre’s 136.

Brian earned a reputation for his hard-nosed play and work ethic during his time at Purdue University.

That, however, was not a deliberate act.

Brian is one of Purdue’s all-time leaders in games played, starts made, steals made, and rebounds.

Brian was selected to represent Team USA in the 1998 Goodwill Games after his second season. Later in the tournament, the United States won gold.

Professional Career

Brian was the 44th overall pick in the 2000 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons. In a 114-83 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, he made his NBA debut. In his first game, he had 3 points and 4 rebounds.

Cardinal also only appeared in 15 games during his rookie season.

He also averaged 2.1 points and 1.5 rebounds per game.

On September 11, 2002, Cardinal was dealt with the Washington Wizards. However, he was only waived after five games.

He did, however, finish the season with Parmesan Valencia. Cardinal also took home the ULEB Cup.

Breakthrough Marketing Campaign

Cardinal joined the Golden State Warriors after returning to the United States.

Brian had his best season, appearing in 76 games and averaging 9.6 points and four rebounds.

Cardinal was also a finalist for the NBA Most Improved Player Award.

Cardinal set a career-high with 32 points in a 110-99 win over the Phoenix Suns on February 11, 2004.

Later that day, in an 87-81 loss to the Bulls, he set a career-high with 14 rebounds.

Cardinal also signed a free agent contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.

During the 2004-05 season, he started in career-best 16 games

. Likewise, in the same season, Cardinal recorded a career-best 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals.

Furthermore, in his four years in Memphis, Cardinal averaged 6 points and 2.5 rebounds. Cardinal was later traded to Minnesota Timberwolves in 2008.

However, in the next season, he only played in 27 games averaging a team-low 9 MPG.

Later, he was traded to New York Knicks on February 17, 2010.

But within 2 days, he was waived again. Despite that, he re-signed with Wolves on March 23.

NBA Champion

Cardinal signed with Dallas Mavericks on September 27, 2010. At Dallas, he got to team up with Dirk Nowitzki, who was also chasing his first ring.

Later, Cardinal won his first and only NBA championship beating the Lebron-led Heat 4-2.

During the playoffs, he played in 9 matches averaging 1.1 PPG. Likewise, in the regular season, he played 56 matches averaging 2.6 points and 1.1 rebounds.

On December 12, 2011, Cardinal signed a veteran minimum deal with Dallas. Later, he retired during the end of the 2012 NBA season.

Post Career

Firstly, Brian joined Purdue athletic department as an intern in 2011.

But he later walked out for playing in the 2011-12 season.

However, in 2013 after retirement, Cardinal again joined Purdue. This time as Assistant Director of John Purdue Club.

Cardinal, his wife, and NFL quarterback Drew Brees got involved in donations to Purdue athletics.

They started initiating fundraising, awareness, and motivation campaign.

Even after retiring, Cardinal is still contributing to the NBA. He frequently works with NBA Academy, mentoring future players.

Personal Life and Wife

Brian Cardinal is happily married to his beautiful wife Danielle Bird.

Talking about Danielle, she is a collegiate player for Purdue.

Notably, she has also won the 1999 National Women’s Championship. They have 3 children together.

They have a son Bryson who is also the oldest. Likewise, their daughters’ names are Emery and Delanie.

Purdue even named Mackay Arena Complex basketball practice court is named after Cardinal and Bird to honor them.

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Social Media Presence

Although he has social media handles, he is pretty inactive.

Cardinal doesn’t post or tweet on his social media.

Moreover, he is a follower who likes to follow others on these platforms.

His quote that is a little popular is, “But it kept getting really really sore, every single day.”