Wally Szczerbiak is a former professional basketball player who played 10 seasons in the NBA for four different teams. He is now a color analyst for the New York Knicks on MSG Network. Szczerbiak had a successful college basketball career at Miami University in Ohio, where his jersey was retired. He is one of only five players from the university to receive this honor.
On March 5, 1977, Walter Robert Szczerbiak Jr. was born. He is an American former professional basketball player and current color analyst for the New York Knicks.
In 1994, Wally Szczerbiak competed for the Long Island team in the Empire State Games. Despite his outstanding high school statistics, he went unrecruited due to the small size of his high school.
In 1997, as a junior, Szczerbiak became one of college basketball's leading scorers, averaging 24.4 points per game. He earned first-team All-MAC honors despite missing games with a broken wrist.
In 1999, Szczerbiak was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the sixth overall pick in the NBA draft.
In 1999, during his senior season, Szczerbiak led the Redhawks to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament as a #10 seed. He scored a career-high 43 points in a first-round win. They lost to Kentucky in the Sweet 16.
In 2000, Szczerbiak married Shannon Ward.
In 2001, Szczerbiak had his jersey retired (#32) at Miami University, becoming the fifth player to receive this honor.
In 2002, Szczerbiak had his best year as a professional when he was a coaches' selection to the Western Conference All-Star team.
On April 13, 2003, Szczerbiak tied a Timberwolves franchise record with 44 points.
During the 2004-05 NBA season, Szczerbiak came off the bench.
During the 2005-06 NBA season, Szczerbiak returned to the starting role.
On January 26, 2006, Szczerbiak, along with others, was traded to the Boston Celtics for Ricky Davis and others.
In 2006, Szczerbiak underwent surgery to repair a knee injury and later suffered from ankle injuries, leading to season-ending surgery.
On June 28, 2007, Szczerbiak was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics along with Delonte West and Jeff Green for Ray Allen and Glen Davis.
During the 2007-2008 NBA season, Szczerbiak played 75 games and averaged 11.5 points.
On February 21, 2008, Szczerbiak and Delonte West were traded by the SuperSonics to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-way deal.
On April 16, 2008, Szczerbiak scored 18 points against Detroit.
During the 2008 NBA playoffs, Szczerbiak started at shooting guard for the Cavaliers, and averaged 10.8 points per game.
During the 2008-2009 NBA season, Szczerbiak played 74 games, averaging seven points.
In August 2009, Szczerbiak was in discussions with the Denver Nuggets, but he rejected their contract offer.
On November 5, 2009, Szczerbiak announced his retirement from the NBA due to a third surgery on his left knee and lack of cartilage.
During the 2008-2009 NBA season, Szczerbiak played 74 games, averaging seven points.
In 2009, Szczerbiak became a basketball analyst for CBS College Sports after retiring from the NBA.
In 2009, Szczerbiak was inducted into the Miami University Athletic Hall of Fame.
In 2012, Szczerbiak was hired as an analyst at MSG Network to cover the New York Knicks.
In 2013, Szczerbiak was inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame.
In 2020, Szczerbiak and Shannon Ward filed for divorce.
As of 2023, Szczerbiak remains in his role as an analyst at MSG Network.