Ira Newble
A defensive specialist who filled gaps on deep playoff teams.
Career Highlights
Years Active: 2000–2008
Teams: San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Seattle SuperSonics, Los Angeles Lakers
Career Averages: 4.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 0.6 APG
Best Season: 2003–04 with Atlanta – 7.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 44 starts
Playoff Contributor: Key rotation piece during Cavs' 2007 Finals run
The Long Road to the League
Ira Newble wasn’t supposed to make the NBA. Undrafted out of Miami (Ohio), he bounced around minor leagues and international squads before finally landing with the Spurs in 2000. It was in Atlanta, though, where he carved out his reputation—a long-armed, 6'7" swingman with the willingness to guard the opposing team’s best wing and take just enough shots to keep defenders honest. Newble became the definition of a glue guy: unflashy, reliable, and fully aware of his role.
Cleveland’s Quiet Constant
Newble’s game was never loud, but it was respected. On the LeBron-led Cavaliers teams of the mid-2000s, he often drew the toughest defensive assignments—especially during the team’s 2007 run to the NBA Finals. While box scores rarely told his story, Newble’s physicality and poise were valued by coaches and veterans alike. In an era that didn’t yet fully reward 3-and-D players, Newble quietly embodied that mold.
Beyond the Court
Later in his career, Newble became an outspoken advocate for social justice—most notably raising awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. He organized players across the league to wear warm-up shirts bearing messages of solidarity, years before athlete activism became a mainstream headline. Though his on-court legacy is modest, his impact off the floor cemented his status as more than just a role player.