Brandon Roy

Brandon Dawayne Roy Sr., born on July 23, 1984, is a distinguished American basketball coach and former professional player. He recently took on the role of head coach for the boys' basketball team at Garfield High School in Seattle, where he continues to inspire young athletes.

Roy's professional basketball career spanned six seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he played for the Portland Trail Blazers and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Drafted sixth overall in the 2006 NBA draft, he made an immediate impact on the Trail Blazers, earning the nickname 'B-Roy' and being affectionately referred to as 'the Natural' by the team's announcer, Brian Wheeler.

During his rookie season, Roy showcased his exceptional talent and leadership, winning the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in a near-unanimous vote. He was selected for two All-NBA teams and earned a spot as a reserve in the All-Star Games of 2008, 2009, and 2010. His career, however, was cut short due to a degenerative knee condition, leading to his retirement in December 2011. Despite this setback, Roy made a brief return to the court in 2012, playing five games for the Timberwolves.