Swift spent his college career at Louisiana State University, where he led the Tigers to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament his sophomore year, during the time when the LSU men's basketball program was under probation and had limited scholarships available.
Professional career
Vancouver / Memphis Grizzlies (2000–2005)
Swift was selected second overall in the 2000 NBA draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies. His debut game was played on October 31, 2000, in a 94–88 win over the Seattle SuperSonics. Swift played for 9 minutes and the only stat he recorded was 1 rebound.[1]
For his sophomore season, the Grizzlies relocated to Memphis and although he did not become a consistent starter for the team (starting in 14 out of 68 games played), he saw a drastic increase in minutes (16.4 to 26.5 per game).[2] This season was Swift's most productive season of his career, as he averaged his highest points (11.8), rebounds (6.3) and blocks per game (1.7). In this same season he competed in the 2001 Slam Dunk Competition against Baron Davis, DeShawn Stevenson, Corey Maggette, Desmond Mason and Jonathan Bender. Swift placed fourth as Mason, of the Seattle SuperSonics, won the competition.
On April 17, 2002, Swift scored a career-high 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a loss against the Seattle SuperSonics.[3]
Houston Rockets (2005–2006)
After the 2004–05 season, Swift left the Grizzlies as a free agent and signed a four-year, $22 million contract with the Houston Rockets.[4] At the time of his departure to Houston for the 2005–06 season, Swift was the last remaining player on the Grizzlies roster to have moved with the team from Vancouver.
Return to Memphis (2006–2008)
In 2006, Swift was traded back to the Memphis Grizzlies along with the rights to the #8 draft pick Rudy Gay in exchange for Shane Battier, in a draft day trade.[5] For some time, he was their starting center.
On January 3, 2007, Swift's 26 points helped lead (teammate Mike Miller had 33 points) the Grizzlies to a 144–135 victory against the Golden State Warriors.[6]
New Jersey Nets (2008–2009)
On February 4, 2008, Swift was traded to the New Jersey Nets for Jason Collins and cash considerations.[7] Four days later, Swift played his first minutes with the Nets, scoring his first basket late in the game, on a jumper, against the Charlotte Bobcats. In the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, on February 12, he scored on an alley-oop dunk from Jason Kidd, in the only game they would see time on the court together in a Nets uniform, as Kidd would be traded to the Dallas Mavericks shortly thereafter.
On March 1, 2009, Swift was waived by the Nets.[8]
Phoenix Suns (2009)
On March 4, 2009, the Suns signed Swift for the remainder of the season.[9] In Phoenix, Swift played 13 games and averaged 2 points and 2.5 rebounds.
Swift's final NBA game ever was played on April 11, 2009, in a 110–97 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves where he recorded 2 points, 1 rebound, and 1 block.
Shandong Lions (2009–2010)
Swift signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in September 2009,[10] but was released on October 12, 2009.[11]
On February 22, 2011, Swift was arrested in his hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana, on charges of aggravated assault and improper telephone communications. He was later released on bail.[12]
On May 20, 2011, Swift was arrested again in Shreveport on a charge of stalking.[13] He pled guilty to the charge in July 2012 and received a suspended six-month sentence and a year and a half of supervised probation.[14]
