Who’s the GOAT Chicago native?
14. Shawn Marion
Shawn Marion, who is commonly known as The Matrix, is one of many Chicago natives that put the city on the map as a mecca of basketball.
How, you ask?
During the span of his 18-year career, Marion suited up for a number of different teams. They included the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Marion proved to be quite the veteran to have in the locker room. He demonstrated leadership on the court by making himself available night in and night out. Marion ranked among the top 20 in minutes played for six consecutive seasons. Not to forget to mention Marion could easily create offense for both himself and others, which explains why he ranked among the top 20 in points for five consecutive seasons.
At nearly every stop in his journey, Marion would amass playoff experience. And, of course, Marion would achieve the ultimate success by teaming up with Dirk Nowitzki to win an NBA championship title as a member of the Mavericks in 2011.
Notable accolades include an All-Rookie Team honor, two All-NBA Team selections, four All-Star Team appearances and one championship title.
What’s more is Marion had come up in talks to be named MVP during two consecutive seasons only to fall short of earning the award on both occasions. At the time, he was a member of the Phoenix Suns.
Marion retired from the Cavaliers in June of 2015.
Marion was born in Waukegan, Illinois, a suburban community located in Lake County. He attended high school at Clarksville High School in Clarksville, Tennessee and went to college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in Paradise, Nevada.
Marion has a 75.6% chance of getting as a player into the Hall of Fame.