Taj Gibson Bio
Taj Jami Gibson (born June 24, 1985) is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A power forward and center, he played college basketball for the USC Trojans before being selected 26th overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 2009 NBA draft. Across a career that has spanned more than 15 seasons, Gibson has suited up for the Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Washington Wizards, and Detroit Pistons. Known for his high-energy play and defensive intensity, he earned All-Rookie First Team honors in his debut season.
Early Life and Background
Taj Jami Gibson was born on June 24, 1985, in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in the city’s Fort Greene neighborhood. He attended P.S. 67 Charles A. Dorsey School, the elementary school he has continued to honor through his career. Growing up in New York exposed him early to a deep basketball culture and shaped the competitive mindset that became a hallmark of his game.
Gibson began his high school career at Brooklyn’s High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology. He transferred to Stoneridge Prep in Tarzana, California, for his sophomore and junior years, completing his senior season in 2006 at Calvary Christian in San Fernando, California. The move west allowed him to develop his body and game against elite high school competition on the West Coast.
Path to Professional Basketball
As one of the oldest freshmen in the country at age 21, Gibson enrolled at the University of Southern California in 2006 and quickly earned Pac-10 All-Freshman recognition. He helped the Trojans beat rival UCLA in 2008 and was named to the 2009 Pac-10 All-Tournament Team after USC captured the conference tournament championship at the Staples Center. He was also named Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and earned Second-team All-Pac-10 honors in 2009, while receiving Third-team All-Pac-10 recognition a season earlier.
Following his junior season, Gibson declared for the 2009 NBA draft. The Chicago Bulls selected him 26th overall, and he signed his first professional contract in July 2009, beginning a long association with the franchise that drafted him.
Taj Gibson Career
Early Career (2009–2011)
Gibson opened his career as the Chicago Bulls’ starting power forward and impressed observers with his energy and defense. He played in the Rookie Challenge during All-Star Weekend, helping the Rookie team win for the first time since 2002. The Bulls reached the playoffs as the eighth seed in the East before falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round, with Gibson averaging 7.6 points and 7.0 rebounds. He closed his rookie year as a member of the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
After the Bulls signed Carlos Boozer in the 2010 off-season, Gibson shifted into a bench role once Boozer returned from a preseason hand injury. He was selected as a starter for the Sophomore squad in the 2011 NBA Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star Weekend. The Bulls finished the regular season as the top seed in the Eastern Conference, and Gibson played a key role in the team’s playoff run, including an 11-point fourth quarter on May 10, 2011, that helped Chicago take a 3–2 series lead over Atlanta in the conference semifinals.
Chicago Bulls Tenure (2011–2017)
Gibson continued to grow as a dependable interior presence for the Bulls. In May 2012, he was named to the US Select Team, practicing with the US Olympic Team in preparation for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London alongside players like Jeremy Lin, DeMarcus Cousins, and Kyrie Irving. He signed a multi-year rookie scale contract extension on October 31, 2012, cementing his long-term role with the franchise.
During the 2013–14 season, Gibson averaged 13 points and 6.8 rebounds while ranking among the league leaders in blocked shots per game. He finished second in the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award voting, losing out to Jamal Crawford. On June 16, 2015, Gibson underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle and missed four months. He returned to play 73 games in 2015–16, averaging 8.6 points and 6.9 rebounds.
Minnesota Timberwolves Era (2017–2019)
On July 10, 2017, Gibson signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, reuniting with coach Tom Thibodeau. He became the second NBA player ever to wear No. 67, choosing the number in honor of his Brooklyn elementary school, P.S. 67. He made an immediate impact, scoring a season-high 24 points in a 124–118 win over the Orlando Magic on November 22, 2017, and later pouring in 28 points against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 15, 2018. His veteran presence helped anchor a young Minnesota roster during the 2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons.
New York Knicks and Washington Wizards (2019–2023)
On July 9, 2019, Gibson signed with the New York Knicks, returning to his hometown team. He was waived on November 19, 2020, before re-signing with the Knicks on January 7, 2021, and was waived again on July 8, 2022. He joined the Washington Wizards on July 19, 2022, and re-signed with the club on September 15, 2023, before being waived on October 23.
Return to New York and Detroit Pistons (2023–2024)
Gibson returned to the New York Knicks on December 15, 2023, on a one-year deal, but was waived on January 7, 2024. After a two-week gap, he signed consecutive 10-day contracts on January 30 and February 10, 2024. On March 6, 2024, Gibson signed a 10-day contract with the Detroit Pistons, which was converted to a rest-of-season deal on March 16, 2024.
Charlotte Hornets Era (2024–2025)
On July 13, 2024, Gibson signed a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Charlotte Hornets, where he was expected to provide veteran leadership to a developing roster. On April 9, 2025, he played in his 1,000th NBA game, finishing with 2 points and 5 rebounds in 16 minutes off the bench in a loss to the Toronto Raptors. The milestone capped one of the more durable careers of any undrafted story from his draft class.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although he was not a high-volume scorer, Gibson built his reputation on energy, defense, and toughness around the rim. He ranked among the league leaders in blocked shots during his peak Bulls seasons and served as a reliable rebounder on both ends of the floor. His ability to defend multiple positions and protect the rim made him a valuable role player on contending rosters throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Gibson was a key contributor on the 2010–11 Bulls team that posted the best record in the Eastern Conference and reached the conference finals. He helped the Rookie team win the Rising Stars Challenge in 2010 and 2011, and he earned All-Rookie First Team honors in 2010. Reaching 1,000 career games on April 9, 2025, stands as one of the signature milestones of his long professional journey.
Taj Gibson Career Highlights
NBA Achievements
Across his NBA career, Gibson has been a steady role player whose defensive effort and rebounding stood out in every stop. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2010 and finished as runner-up for the Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2014. His most recent milestone came on April 9, 2025, when he appeared in his 1,000th NBA game as a member of the Charlotte Hornets.
College Achievements
At USC, Gibson was a Third-team All-Pac-10 selection in 2008 before earning Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and Second-team All-Pac-10 honors in 2009. He was also named to the 2009 Pac-10 All-Tournament Team after the Trojans won the conference tournament at the Staples Center.
Taj Gibson Family
Personal Life
Gibson was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and has long honored his roots, including by wearing jersey No. 67 with the Minnesota Timberwolves in tribute to his elementary school, P.S. 67 Charles A. Dorsey School. He is a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity from his time at the University of Southern California.
2025 Season Outlook
Gibson entered the 2024–25 season with the Charlotte Hornets on a one-year, $3.3 million contract, serving as a veteran presence on a young roster. His 1,000th career game on April 9, 2025, against the Toronto Raptors marked the defining storyline of his final NBA campaign. Beyond that milestone, his role with the Hornets centered on mentorship, defensive effort, and steady minutes off the bench as the team evaluated its younger core.