From prep to Rookie of the Year, Amar’e Stoudemire suffered the way many big men have in the past: countless knee problems.  While that was true, Amar’e was a dominating scoring presence in the paint, earning six All-Star appearances and averaging over 20 Points per Game for seven seasons.  Along with Steve Nash, Stoudemire made the Phoenix Suns Championship contenders and hoped to do the same with the New York Knicks and though he got off to a good start, his knee problems would keep him from living up to his full potential, and he would later close out his career in the Isreali League, a country that he adopted as his homeland.

A former number one overall draft pick after being the NCAA player of the year, Elton Brand would go to two All Star Games and enjoy a long career in the National Basketball Association.  Brand would share Rookie of the Year honors with Steve Francis and would be known for his attention to the glass by leading the NBA in offensive rebounds twice.  Brand was also a good scorer, as he would six times exceed twenty Points per Game.   He would also average more than two Blocks per Game six times, showcasing his overall basketball skill.

July 13 – August 9, 1959
Paul Anka
Lonely Boy

Matt Blair was with the Minnesota Vikings for his entire career, going to the Pro Bowl six consecutive times.  Blair was not just a spectacular Linebacker, but was utilized his speed on Special Teams, holding the record the most blocked kicks in franchise history.  Much of the success of the Vikings defense in the late 1970s and early 1980s can be attributed to Matt Blair.

Minnesota inducted Blair into their Ring of Honor in 2012.