Carlos Boozer

Carlos Boozer is a power forward for the Utah Jazz in the National Basketball Association. Carlos Austin Boozer, Jr. was born in a U.S. military base in Aschaffenburg, West Germany, on November 20, 1981. He was raised in Juneau, Alaska, where he attended Juneau-Douglas High School. He led his basketball team to two state championships and was named twice to the Parade All-American High School basketball team. He was heavily recruited by the top basketball programs in the country and was eventually selected by Duke University. He led the Blue Devils to the 2001 NCAA Division I Basketball Championships.

Last December 18, 2008, Boozer announced that he will test the free agent market and opt out of his contract with the Utah Jazz at the end of the season. Boozer stated, "I'm opting out. No matter what, I'm going to get a raise regardless. I am going to opt out, I don't see why I wouldn't, I think it's a very good business decision for me and my family, but I'd also like to see what happens with the Jazz and stay here."ESPN.com: Boozer's plans good for Millsap (December 18, 2008) On March 25, 2009, Boozer filed for a divorce from his wife of six years, CeCe. He described the relationship as "irretrievably broken". The couple has three sons together.The Salt Lake Tribune: Jazz's Boozer Files for Divorce in Miami

Boozer was selected with the 34th pick in the 2002 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He established himself as one of the premiere power forward in the league and a cornerstone for the future plans of the Cavaliers franchise with LeBron James. But after the 2003-2004 season, Boozer was released from his contract with the idea of negotiating a long term contract with the Cavaliers. Boozer unexpectedly received a sizeable offer from the Utah Jazz and he eventually signed with the team, after the Cavaliers were unable to match the contract. This of course created controversy in Cleveland, where they not only lost a future franchise player, but let him go for nothing. In Utah, Boozer developed into an All-Star caliber player making the team in 2007 and 2008.

Carlos Boozer played perhaps his last game as a Jazz player in a losing effort against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers which is powered by Kobe Bryant and two twin towers in Andrew Bynum and Spanish Pau Gasol swept the Jazz while taking Game 4 111-96 to gain a berth to the 2010 Western Conference Finals. Although often touted as the next Karl Malone, Boozer was not an inch of him, as he was not embraced well by the fans just like the power forward Hall of Famer enjoyed in the past. He was perceived as insincere, selfish and greedy in Utah and it is certain that he will part ways with the team that was his sanctuary for the past six years (2004 to 2010).

The 2009-2010 was a good season for Boozer as he averaged 19.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steal and 0.5 block a game in 78 outings. In the 2010 Playoffs he carried the cudgel for the Jazz that is lacking in manpower due to injuries suffered by Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko. He helped the Jazz repulsed the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2010 NBA Playoffs. His team however succumbed to the reigning 2009 NBA defending Champions the Los Angeles Lakers in the next round. In 10 playoffs games Boozer averaged 19.7 points, 13.2 rebounds, 3 assists, 0.4 steal and 0.7 block per game, which is a good last hurrah for the player who will take full advantage of an imminent free agency.