“I just want to go as far as I can take myself. No limits.” -Tyson Chandler, 2002

The basketball world has known about Tyson Chandler ever since the unusually tall nine-year old was recruited by a local recreational coach in San Bernardino, California. The entire world has known his name ever since the Compton Dominguez high school freshman was profiled on 60 Minutes. And ever since he was taken as the second pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, Tyson Chandler has worked to become a force on the greatest basketball stage in the world.

And he has. In the 2006-2007 season, Tyson averaged 12.4 rebounds a game, the second best mark in the league. Per 48 minutes of play, no NBA center had a higher rebound rate than Chandler’s 17.2. But Tyson does more than just keep the glass clean. With the incredible length of his 7’1” frame and remarkable athleticism, he was also among the league leaders in blocked shots and is regarded as one of the league’s toughest interior defenders.

All of this for a fast rising New Orleans Hornets team poised to become one of the best groups in the league.

It hasn’t always been easy, but through hard work and with the help of his family, Tyson has managed to improve his game and his community.

Under the Microscope
Born October 2, 1982 in Hanford, California, Tyson spent his early years on a farm, getting up early to do his chores, learning the value of hard work, and throwing jumpers through a rim his grandfather nailed to a tree. After moving to San Bernadino at age nine, Tyson would later find himself playing for national powerhouse Compton Dominguez in Los Angeles.

As a seven-foot freshman, his 60 Minutes segment made national news, but so did his play. Wrote the Los Angeles Daily News in 1998:

“Common sense tells you it's premature to label Dominguez High's Tyson Chandler anything more than what he is: a 15-year old freshman. But then you watch the 7-footer play and conventional wisdom goes right out the window. It's the way he gracefully runs the floor and the body control he displays when he catches a pass in the low post and turns and shoots.

It's the sophistication and skill level not normally seen in a big man so young. The footwork on defense and fluid movement on offense…As good as Chandler is now, he really only begun to scratch the surface.”

Throughout his career at Compton Dominguez, Tyson and his game garnered huge attention. When the team went on the road, Tyson was mobbed by autograph seekers and media attention, with everybody looking for a glimpse of the kid believed to be “the next big thing.” And why not? As a senior, Tyson led the Dons to a 31-4 record and the California state championship behind his 26 points, 15 boards, and eight blocks a game. He was named California State Player of the Year, and placed on the prestigious Parade Magazine All-American team.

At that point, it was clear the NBA was in his very near future.

Breaking in with the Big Boys
After the Los Angeles Clippers made him the second pick in the ’01, Tyson was immediately traded to the Chicago Bulls with Brian Skinner for Elton Brand. With the Bulls, Tyson became one half of a promising- but extremely young- inside combo with fellow high school center Eddy Curry.

Replacing Brand in Chicago was a burden for Tyson.

“I never expected the Bulls to do that. If anything, I imagined they might draft me to play along side him. Suddenly, I felt a huge weight on my back. I thought, ‘I have to get out there and really do something big—and fast.’ I felt a lot of pressure,” he said.

Tyson learned to adjust both to life in the NBA and life away from his large family in California. He was brought along slowly, but by the end of his rookie season, Tyson had started 31 games. Over the course of the season, he averaged 6.1 points and 4.8 rebounds a night, and led the Bulls with 1.31 blocks per game.

After the season, Tyson headed back to his grandparent’s farm in Hanford, recharging his batteries though time with his family. “I was fishing. I helped with the farm. That’s what I like, still having the chores,” Tyson said. “Nobody knew I was there.” A good offseason got better when Tyson bought his mom, Vernie Threadgill, a new house in Riverside, California.
Soon it was time to return to Chicago and prepare for his second season, another step forward for Tyson. He started 68 games, increasing his scoring average to 9.2, his rebounding to 6.9, and maintained a strong average for blocks at 1.4 per game. Tyson was quickly establishing himself as one of the NBA’s more dynamic young big men.

Injuries took the air out of Tyson’s third season in Chicago, but in his fourth he once again showed the league that he was a player on the rise. Tyson finished the year setting career highs in rebounding (9.7, good for ninth in the league), blocks (1.8, 13th in the NBA), and minutes per game (27.4). Tyson’s growth was a major factor in Chicago’s 23-game improvement in the standings, as the Bulls made the playoffs for the first time since the Jordan Era ended.

It was a busy offseason for Tyson. Off the court, he tied the knot, marrying his longtime fiancé, Kimberly. In September, the Bulls rewarded Tyson with a big six-year contract extension. They also traded Curry, putting a lot more responsibility on Tyson for the success of Chicago’s future. “Tyson’s play last season was an important factor to our success and we hope to take the next step forward with Tyson being a major contributor to our team,” said Bulls Executive VP John Paxson.

As for Tyson, he was “ecstatic,” but understood that with the big deal came big pressure. “When you sign a contract like that, you’ve got a lot to live up to and I consider myself to be the type of player that wants to do just that. I’ve received a huge commitment from my team and I intend to give that commitment right back,” Tyson said.

It wasn’t just about improving his offense and putting up big flashy numbers on that end, but doing the dirty work and all the things he does best:

“It’s all about pride with defense. Everybody knows the theme, ‘This is my house,’ but that really is how you’ve got to feel. You don’t want anybody walking into your house and taking a Gatorade out of your refrigerator, you’ve got to get in there and protect it.”

Unfortunately, the following year was a tough one for Tyson. He continued to rebound well (9.1 a game) but his stats in other categories dropped, most notably in scoring. Suddenly, only a season after signing his new contract, Tyson’s future in Chicago was in doubt.

A New Beginning
In July of 2006, the Bulls agreed to trade Tyson to the New Orleans Hornets. But rather than sulk, Tyson looked at the move as a new beginning. "It's a great basketball opportunity to play with a bunch of young, up-and-coming guys," he told the Chicago Tribune. "That's the thing I'm excited about. They're moving the team in a direction that fits me well. I can help a team make the playoffs. I'll get a chance to play with a great, young point guard [Chris Paul]."

Tyson moved to his new team with a fresh attitude, a new haircut (a mohawk), and most importantly, a new baby. He and Kimberly had welcomed Sasha-Marie into the world on May 6.

He was ready to prove the Hornets had a young player still on the rise. “I do have a chip on my shoulder, in a good way, from my past years,” he said. “I feel like there are a lot of doubters, and that’s always a good thing, because I can prove them wrong.”

”I can wake a lot of people up.”

That he did, with a big time alarm clock. Starting every game he played for the first time in his career, Tyson proved he was nowhere near the limit of his game. For the up-and-coming Hornets, Tyson averaged 9.5 points, 12.4 rebounds (2nd in the league), 1.8 blocks, and shot an incredible 62% from the floor, which would have led the NBA had Tyson had enough shots to qualify.

But most importantly, Tyson’s intensity on the glass and defensive end turned a lot of heads. “The one thing on his mind is to grab every rebound,” his coach Byron Scott said. “How he approaches it is like Dennis Rodman, that wherever it is he’s going to get it. It’s a terrific approach, that ‘every missed shot is mine.” But Tyson doesn’t just Windex the glass. “He also changes shots,” Scott said. “You don’t know where he is, and are looking for him. He does what all the great rebounders do.”

Firmly on the map and established as one of the league’s best bigs, Tyson continued this offseason to improve his game. Endless drills in the gym. Running. Shooting. Honing his craft. All with the idea of being the best player he can possibly be. The results have been encouraging. Tyson’s Hornets are quickly becoming one of the league’s most exciting squads.

And Tyson? His offensive game has grown, and he’s as aggressive on the glass as ever.

Big Game, Big Heart
Tyson has always found inspiration in his mother and grandparents, who instilled in him the value of hard work and commitment to family. Now a husband and father, he’s worked hard not only to improve his performance on the court, but become an important part of the community as well.

He’s been an active participant in the NBA’s Read to Achieve program, and while in Chicago worked extensively with youth programs on the city’s north side that helped renovate outdoor basketball courts and work to combat teen violence.

In New Orleans, Tyson’s newest community endeavor has grown out of the destruction of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. Like all of us, Tyson was moved by the tragic consequences of those storms, and knew he had to help with the rebuilding process and to help those left homeless recover. To that end, he has established Rebound to Rebound, a program in which he personally donates $10 for every rebound he records to the Hornets’ charity Hoops for Homes. The money will rebuild houses for New Orleans teachers displaced by flooding caused by the Hurricanes.

Last year, Tyson recorded 904 rebounds, and knows that with each one he brings down this year he’ll be doing good that goes well beyond the basketball court. But he’s not interested in simply working alone. Tyson is also looking for corporate leaders and people in the community to join in his efforts; donations of a $1 or more are encouraged from fans and community-minded individuals or companies who want to help this great city rebuild.

For more information please go to www.reboundtorebound.com. You can track Tyson’s progress right here on www.tysonchandler.com.