Drew Gooden is a former professional basketball player. Drew Gooden’s fourteen-year NBA career came to an end in 2016. Memphis Grizzlies selected the half-Finnish player with the fourth overall choice in the 2002 NBA Draft.
Gooden moved on to play for other organizations throughout his career, including the Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, and Los Angeles Clippers.
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Childhood, Education & Parents
Drew Gooden was born on September 24, 1981, in Oakland, California.
His parents are Ulla Lear Gooden and Andrew Gooden (mother).
Drew is also partly Finnish because his mother is from that country.
While playing professional basketball in Anekoski, Finland, his father, who was also a basketball player, met his mother.
Gooden relocated to California to live with his father after his parents regrettably got divorced.
However, Gooden gets along well with his mother and frequently travels to Finland.
Drew pursued his education at the University of Kansas and El Cerrito High School.
Drew, though, left college in his junior year to play in the NBA.
He re-enrolled at the university to finish his communication degree after leaving the NBA.
Net Worth & Income
Drew Gooden is thought to have a $21 million net worth.
His career as a power player in the NBA has contributed to his wealth.
Drew agreed to a $2,794,920 rookie contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.
After that, he inked a $3,004,560 contract with the Orlando Magic.
Additionally, in 2006, Gooden inked the most costly contract of his career, a three-year, $23 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Gooden has earned millions of dollars as a result of his work with various NBA clubs.
He has also made a nice living as an NBA sports analyst.
He has also made a decent living from his commercial endeavors, investments, and sponsorships.
Facts of Drew Gooden
| Full Name | Andrew Melvin Gooden III |
| Name | Drew Gooden |
| Nick Name | The truth |
| Date of Birth | September 24, 1981 |
| Age | 40 years old |
| Birth Place | Oakland, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | American-Finnish |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Height | 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m) |
| Weight | 250 lb (113 kg). |
| Hair Color | Not available |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
| Father’s Name | Andrew Gooden |
| Mother’s Name | Ulla Lear Gooden |
| Siblings | Not available |
| High School | El Cerrito High School |
| Education | Bachelors in communication |
| University | University of Kansas |
| Marital Status | Not available |
| Wife | Not available |
| Marriage Year | Not available |
| Children | Not available |
| Profession | Former NBA Player |
| Position | Power Forward |
| Leagues | National Basketball Association (NBA) |
| NBA Draft | Fourth overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft by Memphis Grizzlies. |
| Debut Year | 2002 |
| Retirement | 2016 |
| Playing Teams |
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| Awards and Achievements |
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| Net Worth | $21 Million |
| Social Media | |
| Merch | Washington Wizards Insulated Tumbler |
| Last Update | June 2022 |
High School Career
Drew was a basketball prodigy who attended El Cerrito High School.
In his senior year, he guided the school’s basketball squad, the Gauchos, to the 1999 California Interscholastic Federation Boys’ Division III championship game.
Drew joined the University of Kansas and played for the collegiate basketball team after graduating from high school.
Gooden, a basketball player in college, led the nation in rebounds in 2002. He was also selected as the NABC national player of the year.
Additionally, he led Kansas to a perfect 16-0 record in conference play as they captured their first Big 12 League championship since 1998.
In 2003, the University of Kansas retired Gooden’s #0 jersey in recognition of his contributions.
Professional Career
Gooden dropped out of college after his junior year and registered for the draft. Memphis Grizzlies selected him with the fourth overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft.
Gooden was regarded as one of the top big men in the draft before entering the league.
Drew played for the Cleveland Cavaliers for four years after being traded there.
He was an important addition to the squad because he helped them win the NBA championship and make the All-Rookie First Team.
However, following his rookie season, Gooden moved on to play for other organizations throughout his career, including the Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, and Los Angeles Clippers.
Cleveland was the NBA team where he appeared in the most games and had the longest contract.
In 2008, Drew had 13 career-high rebounds with Sacramento, and in 2009, he averaged 14.8 points per game with the Los Angeles Clippers.
After Retirement
After fourteen years in the NBA, Drew announced his retirement in 2016. He finished his degree at the University of Kansas after retiring.
Drew is currently employed by NBC Sports Washington as a sports commentator and broadcaster.
The Court
Drew worked in the food industry in addition to basketball. He began operating a restaurant that he was familiar with.
In Altamonte Springs, Florida, he founded the Wingstop business. It is a quick-service restaurant that specializes in serving chicken wings.
He explained that he loved the restaurant from the perspective of the consumer and believed it had the potential for expansion when asked why he decided to start this chain as his first business.
He consequently launched his first store in 2012, and it is currently one of the most prosperous Wingstop locations in the nation. He has added a few more locations for the restaurant.
In addition to the Wingstop restaurant, Gooden is also involved in the real estate industry. He is the owner of commercial properties in the Bahamas, Napa Valley, and the Southeast.
Additionally, he wants to diversify his holdings, especially in markets with strong growth potential. He also intends to make investments in vegan restaurants.
Spouse and Kids
Unfortunately, there is little information available regarding Drew Gooden’s wife and kids. But keep an eye out for any updates.
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Height, Weight, and Age
Drew Gooden is 40 years old. He is a Libra by birth sign. Drew also claims to be a Finnish-American and was born in Oakland, California.
Drew attempted to obtain a Finnish passport and dual citizenship, but he concluded that it was not worthwhile given the possibility of losing his U.S. citizenship.
Additionally, Gooden stands at 6 feet 10 inches and weighs about 250 lb (113 kg).
He has brown eyes, and a small patch of hair that he sprouted on his neck is known as his ducktail.
His hairdo attracted a lot of attention and became the NBA’s hot topic.
After it had had a lot of damaging exposure, he later cut it off.
Additionally, Drew has tattoos on both of his arms.
Social Media
As of May 2022, Gooden has 52k followers on his verified Twitter account, where he routinely posted about both his personal and business life.
