When Gilbert Arenas was playing high-school basketball, his coach had some doubt as to his ability. Upon hearing of his goal of playing basketball in college, the coach replied that he'd play exactly zero minutes at the University of Arizona. His college career was modest, but he became one of the biggest breakout players in recent NBA history upon his signing with the Washington Wizards. To this day, Arenas wears the number zero on his jersey, to remind him of that coach.
Arenas got his start with the Golden State Warriors, being the first pick of the second round. While the team suffered through a mediocre season, Arenas became one of the NBA's hottest young talents, and after the 2003 season became one of the most sought-after free agents in the NBA. Legend has it a coin-flip landed him with the Washington Wizards, and despite an injury-plagued first season, he began to seriously establish himself in his sophomore year with the team.
In the early part of 2007, Arenas gained his reputation for being a clutch player. On January 10th, he hit a 32-foot shot at the buzzer to win against the Milwaukee Bucks, repeating this performance two weeks later against the Utah Jazz. In March, the Seattle Supersonics got the same treatment, and teams around the league began to despair any time the young phenom got within 3-pointer range in a close game.
In the current season, Arenas has spent much of his time sidelined with a knee injury, and the inactivity has been tough on the star. Returning to action on April 2, he only managed a few games before announcing he would sit out the rest of the playoffs.
