Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Carlos Boozer

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Carlos Boozer made an impact.

Carlos Boozer is a retired American professional basketball player. He was a two-time NBA All-Star who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA, with a final season in China. Boozer also represented the United States in international competition, winning a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics and a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1998: Jazz Advance to Western Conference Finals

In 1998, The Jazz would go on to win their second round series against the upstart Golden State Warriors, 4 games to 1, and advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1998.

2000: US Team Wins Gold Medal

Carlos Boozer participated in the 2008 Summer Olympics as the U.S. national team went unbeaten en route to the gold medal, defeating the 2006 World Champion Spain for their first gold medal since the 2000 Summer Olympics.

2001: Wins NCAA championship

In 2001, Carlos Boozer helped Duke University win the NCAA championship.

April 2002: Declared for NBA draft

In April 2002, Carlos Boozer declared for the NBA draft, foregoing his final year of college eligibility.

2002: Selected in NBA draft

In 2002, Carlos Boozer was selected with the 35th overall pick in the NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

2003: Cavaliers Salary Negotiations

After the 2003–04 season, the Cavaliers and Boozer's agent reached an understanding on a deal for approximately $39 million over six years. He would have signed if they let him out of his current deal.

July 30, 2004: Signed with Utah Jazz

On July 30, 2004, Carlos Boozer officially signed with the Utah Jazz after Cleveland chose not to match their six-year, $70 million contract offer.

2004: First season with Utah Jazz

During his first season with the Jazz in 2004-05, Carlos Boozer averaged 17 points and 9 rebounds per game, but an injury caused him to miss part of the season, contributing to the Jazz missing the playoffs. He was also publicly criticized for a lack of effort.

2004: Wins Olympic Bronze Medal

In 2004, Carlos Boozer won an Olympic bronze medal as a member of Team USA.

2005: Injury recovery

In 2005, Carlos Boozer continued recovering from an injury and aggravated a hamstring, missing the first half of the 2005-06 season. He returned to action in late February, coming off the bench before returning to the starting lineup and finishing the season strongly.

2006: Part of US National Team

Carlos Boozer was part of the U.S. national team from 2006 to 2008.

2006: Named to All-Star Roster

In 2006, Carlos Boozer won the Western Conference Player of the Week Award, helped the Jazz win eleven of their first twelve games, and was named part of the NBA All-Star roster as a reserve, but could not participate due to injury.

April 23, 2007: Scores 41 points

On April 23, 2007, in game two of the first round of the 2007 playoffs against the Houston Rockets, Carlos Boozer scored 41 points, tying his career high. He also led the Jazz past the Rockets in game 7, securing the victory in his first playoff series.

November 2007: Named Western Conference Player of the Month

In November 2007, Carlos Boozer was named Western Conference Player of the Month.

2007: Did not compete

Carlos Boozer did not compete in the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship due to his wife's pregnancy.

February 13, 2008: Registers first career triple-double

On February 13, 2008, Carlos Boozer registered his first career triple-double against the Seattle SuperSonics with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.

November 2008: Misses time due to knee surgery

Starting in late November 2008, Carlos Boozer missed 44 games due to arthroscopic left knee surgery, returning to play in late February 2009.

2008: Wins Olympic Gold Medal

In 2008, Carlos Boozer won an Olympic gold medal as a member of Team USA.

2008: Jazz Faced Rockets in Playoffs

In the 2008 playoffs, the Jazz faced the Houston Rockets in the first round for the second year in a row. The Jazz defeated the Rockets, 4–2. In the second round of the 2008 playoffs, the Jazz lost to the top seeded Los Angeles Lakers in six games.

February 2009: Returns after knee surgery

Carlos Boozer returns to basketball activities in late February 2009 after missing 44 games from late November 2008 due to arthroscopic left knee surgery.

2009: Played Well

In 2009-10, Carlos Boozer played well, averaging 19.5 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, and shot 56.2% from the field, a career high.

July 8, 2010: Acquired by Chicago Bulls

On July 8, 2010, Carlos Boozer was acquired by the Chicago Bulls in a sign-and-trade deal with the Jazz, signing a 5-year, $75 million contract.

2010: Heading into the summer

In 2009-10, Carlos Boozer played well, averaging 19.5 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, and shot 56.2% from the field, a career high, avoided injury, which boded well heading into the 2010 summer.

2010: Averages 17.5 points and 9.6 rebounds

In 2010-11, Carlos Boozer averaged 17.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game and helped the Bulls get the first seed in the Eastern Conference, despite missing 23 games due to injury.

2012: Rebounds with a healthy season

In 2012–13, Carlos Boozer rebounded with a healthy season, averaging 16.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game while playing in 79 games.

January 16, 2013: Scores season-high 36 points

On January 16, 2013, Carlos Boozer scored a season-high 36 points and grabbed 12 rebounds during a 107–105 overtime victory against the Toronto Raptors.

July 15, 2014: Released by Bulls

On July 15, 2014, Carlos Boozer was released by the Chicago Bulls via the amnesty clause.

July 17, 2014: Claimed by Los Angeles Lakers

On July 17, 2014, Carlos Boozer was claimed off amnesty waivers by the Los Angeles Lakers, who paid $3.25 million of his $16.8 million salary.

February 4, 2015: Scores season high

On February 4, 2015, Carlos Boozer scored a season-high 28 points in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

April 15, 2015: Final NBA Game

On April 15, 2015, Carlos Boozer's final NBA game was a 122–99 loss to the Sacramento Kings where he recorded 10 points and six rebounds.

July 30, 2016: Signed with Guangdong Southern Tigers

On July 30, 2016, Carlos Boozer signed with the Guangdong Southern Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association.

December 18, 2017: Announces retirement

On December 18, 2017, Carlos Boozer announced his retirement from professional basketball.

January 25, 2018: Signed with BIG3 league

On January 25, 2018, Carlos Boozer signed with the BIG3 league as a co-captain of the Ghost Ballers. He was later waived and picked up by 2018 Big3 champions Power.