Taj Gibson

Taj Jami Gibson is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Gibson played his college basketball at the University of Southern California. In his freshman year, Gibson was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman team. In 2008, he helped the Trojans in defeating their rivals UCLA. In 2009, Gibson was named to the 2009 All-Pac 10 Tournament Team as the Trojans won the Pacific-10 Tournament Championship at the Staples Center.

Gibson was drafted as the 26th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. Playing at the starting forward position for most of his rookie season, Gibson impressed many people with his high energy and good defense. He averaged 7.6 points and 7.0 rebounds per game as the Bulls lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of 2010 NBA Playoffs. Gibson was named to the All-Rookie First Team at the conclusion of the season.

In the 2011 NBA Playoffs, Gibson helped the Bulls take a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals against Atlanta, scoring crucial 11 points in the fourth quarter. Playing off the bench for most of the 2013-14 season, Gibson averaged 13 points and 6.8 rebounds of the season and was amongst the league leaders in blocked shots per game. He came in second in the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year voting.

In the 2015-16 season, Gibson averaged 8.6 points and 6.9 rebounds in 73 games. In 2017, Gibson, along with Doug McDermott and an unprotected 2018 second-round draft pick, was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Joffrey Lauvergne, Anthony Morrow, and Cameron Payne. In 2017, Gibson signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves.