Zendon Hamilton
A dependable, hard-nosed big who brought toughness to every roster spot he claimed.
Career Highlights
Years Active (NBA): 2000–2006
Teams: Clippers, Nuggets, Raptors, 76ers, Bucks, Cavaliers
Notable Achievements:
Undrafted in 1998 but carved out a 6-year NBA career
Logged 20+ minutes per game in stretches with Denver and Philadelphia
Member of the 2002–03 Nuggets team during a major rebuild
Path Through Persistence
Zendon Hamilton wasn’t an immediate NBA success. After going undrafted out of St. John’s in 1998, he built his résumé overseas in Spain, Poland, and the CBA. His patience paid off in 2000 when the Clippers gave him a shot. From there, he became a journeyman big who always seemed to earn another look based on effort, rebounding, and smart interior play.
Role Player With an Edge
At 6’11” and 260 pounds, Hamilton was never going to stretch the floor or dominate stat sheets, but he understood his job: set bruising screens, grab tough rebounds, and anchor the paint for reserve units. In Philadelphia, he found a niche under Larry Brown’s system, offering reliable minutes off the bench during their post-Finals seasons. His game was old-school—physical, grounded, and no-nonsense.
More Than Numbers
Though his career averages (4.4 points, 3.5 rebounds per game) don’t leap off the page, Hamilton’s story is one of resilience and professionalism. He wasn’t drafted, didn’t come from a powerhouse team, and never had the backing of major hype—but he kept getting chances. After the NBA, he transitioned into development and coaching, sharing the lessons of perseverance he’d lived.
Not every NBA career is flashy—but grit like Zendon’s keeps locker rooms together.
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