Last Updated on January 4, 2025 by Mathew Diekhake

Here’s detailed information about Shawn Kemp:

Basic Information

  • Full Name: Shawn Travis Kemp
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born November 26, 1969
  • Hometown: Elkhart, Indiana, USA

Physical Attributes

  • Height: 6’10” (208 cm)
  • Weight: 230 lbs (104 kg) during his playing career
  • Wingspan: 7’1″ (215 cm)
  • Shoe Size: 15 (US)

Basketball Career

  • Number: Wore #40 during most of his career
  • Position: Power Forward
  • High School: Concord High School (Elkhart, Indiana)
  • College:
    • Did not play in NCAA games; briefly attended the University of Kentucky and later transferred to Trinity Valley Community College but did not play there either.
  • NBA Draft: 1989, 1st Round, 17th Overall Pick by the Seattle SuperSonics
  • Teams Played For:
    • Seattle SuperSonics (1989–1997)
    • Cleveland Cavaliers (1997–2000)
    • Portland Trail Blazers (2000–2002)
    • Orlando Magic (2002–2003)
  • Championship Rings: 0

Personal Life

  • Kids:
    • Kemp has at least seven children from multiple relationships. Some of his sons, including Shawn Kemp Jr., have played basketball at the collegiate level.
  • Siblings:
    • Information about siblings is not widely available or documented.

Shawn Kemp was my favorite player as a kid. Almost everyone loves Michael Jordan, but Jordan was so famous that I didn’t see the use in admiring him since he was admired so much already. Instead, I would stare at every poster I saw of Sharm Kemp and be in awe of how he dunked the way he did. I grew up a frontcourt player, which is another reason I took an interest in Kemp.

Fun Facts

  • Shawn Kemp, nicknamed “The Reign Man,” was one of the most electrifying players of the 1990s.
  • Known for his powerful dunks and incredible athleticism, Kemp formed a legendary duo with Gary Payton on the Seattle SuperSonics. They reached the NBA Finals in 1996 but lost to Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls.
  • After his playing career, he has since been involved in business ventures, including opening cannabis dispensaries in Seattle. Kemp remains a beloved figure in basketball history and is considered one of the greatest dunkers of all time.