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, a former professional basketball player from the US, played in the NBA. He attended Grant High School and then the University of Arizona on scholarship. Arenas was drafted into the NBA in 2001 as the 31st overall pick by the Golden State Warriors. Known for his scoring ability and flashy style, he achieved significant recognition during his career.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1997: Playoff Berth

In 2004-05, Arenas guided the team to a 45-win season and its first playoff berth since 1997.

November 4, 2001: NBA Debut

On November 4, 2001, Gilbert Arenas made his NBA debut against the Portland Trail Blazers, after sitting out the first 3 games.

November 7, 2001: First NBA Point

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

2001: Entered NBA Draft Selected 31st Overall

After his sophomore year, in 2001 Gilbert Arenas entered the NBA draft and was selected with the 31st overall pick by the Golden State Warriors.

2001: 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.

January 16, 2002: First Field Goal

On January 16, 2002, Gilbert Arenas made his first NBA field goal in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, scoring 7 points.

February 15, 2002: First Career Start

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

February 17, 2002: First Double-Digit Scoring Game

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

2002: Signed with Washington Wizards

After the 2002–03 season, Gilbert Arenas became a restricted free agent and signed a six-year, $60 million contract with the Washington Wizards, becoming the face of the franchise.

2002: NBA Most Improved Player

In 2002, Gilbert Arenas was voted the NBA Most Improved Player during his final season in Golden State. He also earned All-NBA Team selections during his time in Washington.

March 2003: 41 Points against the Wizards

In March 2003, Gilbert Arenas had one of the best performances of his career when he scored 41 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished five assists in a win against the Washington Wizards.

2004: Highest Scoring Backcourt Duo in the NBA

In 2004-05, Gilbert Arenas teamed up with Larry Hughes to give the Wizards the highest-scoring backcourt duo in the NBA.

2005: Ranked Fourth in Scoring and Steals

During the 2005–06 NBA season, Gilbert Arenas averaged 29.3 points and two steals per game, ranking fourth among the league's scoring and steals leaders, respectively.

2005: Game-Winning Shot and Playoff Series Victory

In 2005, Gilbert Arenas hit a game-winning shot against the Chicago Bulls in the playoffs, securing the franchise's first playoff series victory in more than two decades.

December 17, 2006: Career-High 60 Points

On December 17, 2006, Gilbert Arenas scored a career-high 60 points in an overtime game versus the Los Angeles Lakers, leading the Wizards to a 147-141 victory. He also set an NBA record for most points in one overtime period with 16.

2006: Named All-Star Replacement

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

2006: Averaged 54 points against Phoenix Suns

In 2006, Gilbert Arenas withdrew from the United States national team and succeeded at his goal versus the Phoenix Suns, scoring 54 points in a Wizards win.

2006: Eliminated from Playoffs

In 2006, one of Gilbert Arenas' most memorable plays was a 40-foot jump shot in Round 1 of the NBA playoffs in which the Washington Wizards were eliminated by the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers in six games.

January 3, 2007: Buzzer-Beater Against Bucks

On January 3, 2007, Gilbert Arenas hit a 32-foot buzzer-beater to win the game against the Milwaukee Bucks, 108–105.

February 2007: First-Time 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

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

2007: Opted out of Contract

In 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: Returns to action against the Milwaukee Bucks

On April 2, 2008, Gilbert Arenas returned to action against the Milwaukee Bucks after recovering from a knee injury. He scored 17 points in a 110–109 home loss.

June 9, 2008: Opted out of contract

On June 9, 2008, Gilbert Arenas officially opted out of the final year of his contract with the Wizards, but stated his intention to re-sign if teammate Antawn Jamison was retained.

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

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

March 28, 2009: Season debut after lingering injuries

On March 28, 2009, Gilbert Arenas made his season debut after recovering from lingering injuries from April 2007, scoring 15 points and dishing 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 for Rashard Lewis.

2010: Traded 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 following the 2011 NBA lockout, becoming the first player to be waived under the newly established clause.

2011: Waived and Signed with Memphis Grizzlies

Following the 2011 NBA lockout, Gilbert Arenas was waived under the "amnesty clause" and later 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.

May 13, 2012: Final NBA game

On May 13, 2012, Gilbert Arenas played his final NBA game in the seventh and deciding game of the 2012 Western Conference First Round, where the Memphis Grizzlies lost to the Los Angeles Clippers. He played for 3 minutes and recorded no stats.