Career Timeline of Gilbert Arenas: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Gilbert Arenas built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Gilbert Arenas is a former professional basketball player. He attended Grant High School and the University of Arizona before being drafted into the NBA by the Golden State Warriors as the 31st overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft. He played as a guard known for his scoring ability.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1997: Playoff Berth

In 2004-05 season Gilbert Arenas guided the team to it's first playoff berth since 1997.

November 4, 2001: NBA Debut

On November 4, 2001, Gilbert Arenas made his NBA debut vs the Portland Trail Blazers after not playing his first 3 games and went scoreless.

November 7, 2001: First NBA Point

On November 7, 2001, Gilbert Arenas scored his first point a free throw in a game vs the Toronto Raptors.

2001: Arenas drafted by Golden State Warriors

In 2001, Gilbert Arenas was drafted by the Golden State Warriors with the 31st overall pick in the NBA draft.

2001: All-Pac-10 first team and NCAA Championship appearance

In 2001, Gilbert Arenas was named first-team All-Pac-10 during his sophomore year at the University of Arizona. He helped lead Arizona to the national championship game, where they lost to the Duke Blue Devils.

January 16, 2002: First NBA Field Goal

On January 16, 2002, Gilbert Arenas made his first field goal in a game vs the Cleveland Cavaliers scoring 7 points and going 3-4 from the field.

February 15, 2002: First NBA Start

On February 15, 2002, Gilbert Arenas made his first career start.

February 17, 2002: First double digit scoring game

On February 17, 2002, in a game against the Atlanta Hawks, Gilbert Arenas had his first double digit scoring game with 12 points.

2002: Restricted Free Agency

After the 2002-03 season, Gilbert Arenas became a restricted free agent and eventually signed with the Washington Wizards.

2002: NBA Most Improved Player

In 2002, Gilbert Arenas was voted the NBA Most Improved Player in his final season with the Golden State Warriors.

March 2003: Performance against the Wizards

During March 2003, Gilbert Arenas had one of the best performances of his career, scoring 41 points, grabbing six rebounds, and dishing five assists in a win against the Wizards.

2004: Teamed with Larry Hughes

In 2004, Gilbert Arenas teamed up with Larry Hughes to give the Wizards the highest-scoring backcourt duo in the NBA.

2005: Playoff Series Victory

In 2005, Gilbert Arenas hit a game-winning shot against the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, leading the Wizards to their first playoff series victory in more than two decades.

2005: Averaged 29.3 points

In the 2005-06 season Arenas averaged 29.3 points.

December 17, 2006: Career High 60 Points

On December 17, 2006, Gilbert Arenas scored a career-high 60 points against the Los Angeles Lakers, setting a Wizards franchise record for points in a game.

2006: Willingness to take a pay cut

During the off-season of 2006, Gilbert Arenas expressed his willingness to take a pay cut to help the Wizards sign free agents, demonstrating his desire to win a championship with the team.

2006: NBA All-Star Selection

In 2006, Gilbert Arenas was named as a replacement for the injured Jermaine O'Neal in the NBA All-Star Game. He also participated in the Three-point Shootout, finishing second.

2006: Withdrawal from National Team

In 2006, Gilbert Arenas withdrew from the United States national team for the FIBA World Championship due to concerns about the roster selection process.

January 3, 2007: Buzzer-beater against Milwaukee Bucks

On January 3, 2007, Gilbert Arenas hit a 32-foot buzzer-beater to win the game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

February 2007: First NBA All-Star starter

In February 2007, Gilbert Arenas was voted as a first-time starter for the 2007 NBA All-Star game for the Eastern Conference.

March 21, 2007: Game-winning layup against Seattle SuperSonics

On March 21, 2007, Gilbert Arenas hit a game-winning layup as time expired to beat the Seattle SuperSonics.

2007: Contract opt-out

During the off-season of 2007, Gilbert Arenas told The Washington Post that he would opt out of his contract after the 2007-08 season, making him a free agent.

April 2, 2008: Return from Injury

On April 2, 2008, Gilbert Arenas returned to action against the Milwaukee Bucks, scoring 17 points.

June 9, 2008: Opted out of contract with Wizards

On June 9, 2008, Gilbert Arenas opted out of the final year of his contract with the Wizards but expressed his intention to re-sign with the team if they retained Antawn Jamison. Arenas also received a five-year contract offer worth over $100 million from the Golden State Warriors and a six-year, $124 million deal from the Wizards.

July 13, 2008: Signed a six-year contract with the Wizards

On July 13, 2008, Gilbert Arenas signed a six-year contract with the Washington Wizards worth $111 million, securing his future with the team.

March 28, 2009: Season debut after injuries

On March 28, 2009, Gilbert Arenas made his season debut after recovering from lingering injuries from April 2007, scoring 15 points and providing 10 assists in a 98–96 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

December 18, 2010: Traded to the Orlando Magic

On December 18, 2010, Gilbert Arenas was traded to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Rashard Lewis. This move reunited Arenas with his former Warriors teammate, Jason Richardson. He chose to wear #1 on his jersey to honor Penny Hardaway.

2010: Trade to Orlando Magic

In 2010, Gilbert Arenas was traded to the Orlando Magic.

December 9, 2011: Waived by the Orlando Magic

On December 9, 2011, Gilbert Arenas was waived by the Orlando Magic under the amnesty clause, making him the first player to be waived under this newly established clause following the 2011 NBA lockout.

2011: Waived and signed with Memphis Grizzlies

In 2011, after the NBA lockout, Gilbert Arenas was waived under the amnesty clause and then signed with the Memphis Grizzlies for the 2011-12 NBA season.

March 20, 2012: Signed with the Memphis Grizzlies

On March 20, 2012, Gilbert Arenas signed with the Memphis Grizzlies, where he served as a backup point guard to Mike Conley Jr.

May 13, 2012: Final NBA Game

May 13, 2012 marked Gilbert Arenas' final NBA game, played in Game 7 of the 2012 Western Conference First Round against the Los Angeles Clippers, with the Memphis Grizzlies losing 72-82, ending his NBA career at age 30. He played for 3 minutes and recorded no stats.

November 19, 2012: Signed with the Shanghai Sharks

On November 19, 2012, Gilbert Arenas signed with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).

2023: Launched "Gil's Arena" podcast

In 2023, Gilbert Arenas launched a podcast called "Gil's Arena" in partnership with Underdog Fantasy Sports, co-hosting with Josiah Johnson and featuring former NBA and WNBA players.