Brian Scalabrine

Brian David Scalabrine(born March 18, 1978), jokingly nicknamed the"White Mamba", is an American former professionalbasketballplayer who is currently a television analyst for theBoston Celticsof theNational Basketball Association(NBA). He is also the co-host of "The Starting Lineup", which airs weekdays from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET onSiriusXM NBA Radio.
Raised inEnumclaw, Washington, Scalabrine attended theUniversity of Southern Californiaafter transferring fromHighline College. As a member of theUSC Trojans men's basketballteam, Scalabrine was the top scorer and a leader in field goals and rebounds. He also played at thecenterposition in college.
TheNew Jersey Netsselected him in the second round of the2001 NBA draft. The Nets made consecutiveNBA Finalsappearances his first two years, and Scalabrine played four seasons with the team. In 2005, he signed with theBoston Celticsand won a championship with the team in 2008. The Celtics also appeared in the2010 NBA Finals. Scalabrine signed with theChicago Bullsthe following season, and played with them until 2012. Throughout his NBA career, Scalabrine served as a backuppower forward.
In 2013,Mark Jacksonannounced that Scalabrine would join hisGolden State Warriorscoaching staff. In 2014, Scalabrine took a job as ananalystfor Celtics games on local Boston broadcasts.
Born inLong Beach, California,Scalabrine was one of four children in his family and graduated fromEnumclaw High SchoolatEnumclaw, Washingtonin 1996.He is of Italian ancestry.He enrolled atHighline Collegein 1996, played his first year with its basketball team the Thunderbirds, andredshirtedhis second year. As a freshman at Highline, Scalabrine averaged 16.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Scalabrine recorded seventeendouble-doubles, and led the team in rebounds, blocks, and free throw percentage (75%). The Thunderbirds went 31–1 in the 1996–97 season and won the state junior college championship. Scalabrine was a Northern Division All-Star in 1997 as well as part of the All-Northwest Athletic Association of Community CollegesChampionship Tournament Team.
In 1998, he transferred to theUniversity of Southern California(USC). In his first year with theUSC Trojans, he was the only player to start all 28 games. He led the Trojans in scoring (14.6 points), rebounding (6.4), and field goals (53.1%). In scoring, blocked shots, and field goals, he was also the onlyPac-10conference player among the top 10 players in those areas. His best game performance was againstAmerican Universityon December 21, 1998: 26 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks.On February 13, 1999, he scored 22 points including an important three-pointer in overtime; the unranked USC won an upset victory over number-sixStanford86–82 in overtime.He was the 1999 Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year and earned an All-Pac-10 honorable mention.
During his second season with USC, Scalabrine was named to theAll-Pac-10first team and the National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District 15 first team. He also earned aSporting NewsAll-American honorable mention. Again, he finished as USC's top scorer (17.8 ppg) and field goal shooter (53.1%) and was also the second-best Pac-10 scorer. He also made 40.3% of attempted three-pointers. Against theOregon Ducks, Scalabrine scored 29 points and made 10 rebounds.
USC advanced to theNCAA tournament in 2001, Scalabrine's senior season. In the Elite Eight round, USC lost toDuke79–69; Scalabrine scored 13 points.Scalabrine graduated with a degree in history.
Because he injured hisfifth metatarsal boneduring workouts in late September 2001, Scalabrine missed the first ten days ofNew Jersey Netstraining camp.During the second quarter of the final 2001–02 preseason game, which took place against theDetroit Pistonson October 26, 2001, Scalabrine again injured his right foot.He made hisNBAdebut on January 31, 2002, when the Nets played against theMilwaukee Bucks.As a rookie, Scalabrine averaged 2.1 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game.He played in six playoff games his debut season and averaged 0.3 points and 0.5 rebounds.The Nets were the Eastern Conference Champions of the 2001–02 season and lost the2002 NBA Finalsto theLos Angeles Lakersin four games. In a triple-overtime victory over theDetroit Pistonsin Game 5 of the 2004 Eastern Conference Semifinal series, Scalabrine scored a career high 17 points.He surpassed that high with 29 points on January 26, 2005, against theGolden State Warriors.On April 15, 2005, he played a career high 45 minutes.
During his time with the Nets, Scalabrine gained the nickname "Veal", a play on words based on the dishvealscaloppine.
On August 2, 2005, Scalabrine signed a five-year contract with theBoston Celtics.A month earlier, he and the team agreed on terms that the contract be worth $15 million over the five years.
Scalabrine started in nine of 48 games during the 2007–08 season, and played on average 10.7 minutes. He averaged 1.8 points and 1.6 rebounds per game. On April 16, 2008, in the final game of the regular season, Scalabrine tied a season-high with six rebounds and played 29 minutes.  He did not make an appearance in the NBA playoffs.In the2008 NBA Finals, the Celtics defeated the Lakers in six games.
On September 21, 2010, Scalabrine agreed to a non-guaranteed contract with theChicago Bulls.The Bulls visited the Boston Celtics on November 5, 2010, and in double overtime the Bulls won 110–105. Scalabrine played only three minutes that game.He played 18 games with the Bulls and averaged 1.1 points and 0.4 rebounds per game.
On September 22, 2011, during the2011 NBA lockout, Scalabrine signed with the Italian teamBenetton Treviso.He left the team in December 2011 to pursue opportunities in the NBA after the lockout had ended.
On December 12, 2011, Scalabrine re-signed with the Bulls.During the 2011–12 season, Scalabrine played in 28 games.  In September 2012, he was offered a position as an assistant coach for the Bulls under Tom Thibiodeau, but instead opted to become a broadcaster for the Boston Celtics.
In 2017, Brian joined theBall Hogsof theBIG3basketball league.
In July 2013,Golden State WarriorscoachMark Jacksonannounced viaTwitterthat Scalabrine was joining his coaching staff.During the season, Jackson reassigned Scalabrine to the Warriors'D-Leagueaffiliate after a difference of opinion on the team's direction.
In September 2012, Scalabrine announced that he had turned down an opportunity to become an assistant coach with the Bulls so that he could joinComcast SportsNet New Englandas a commentator. Scalabrine described the job as "a trial run", and said there was a "small possibility" he would resume his playing career overseas in 2013.
In 2014, Scalabrine wrote an essay to Boston to announce his "homecoming" to become aComcast SportsNetannouncer.His essay spoofed a famousSports Illustratedstory aboutLeBron James's return to Cleveland.
Scalabrine married Kristen Couch in 2003; their wedding ceremony was held inHawaii.They have two children.He is also a member of the sports philanthropy organization Athletes for Hope.
Scalabrine appeared as himself in an episode of the dark comedy seriesKevin Can F**k Himselfin 2021.
Despite his limited playing time, Scalabrine became a popular player. Bulls fans referred to him as "The White Mamba", a play onKobe Bryant's nickname of "The Black Mamba".
In 2013, in response to criticism over his bench role throughout his career and to claims that many would beat him one-on-one, Scalabrine stated, "I'm closer toLeBronthan you are to me", suggesting that there is a huge difference between any (active or retired) NBA player and those outside the league.
In an event organized byThe Toucher and Rich Show, selected volunteers had the chance to play one-on-one against Scalabrine (until 11 points with a margin of two).
The format was called the "Scallenge" and Scalabrine played four games, one against each of the voluntary contenders.
Scalabrine won every game with a combined score of 44–6.
In an additional game Scalabrine played against the three hosts of the show and won 11–1.