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Corey Antoine Maggette (born November 12, 1979, in Melrose Park, Illinois) is an American professional basketball player, positioned at small forward for the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. He excelled at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois, where he was an All-American in basketball and also an Illinois high school state track finalist in long jump and triple jump. He was originally selected with the 13th overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft out of Duke University by the Seattle SuperSonics, but was immediately traded to the Orlando Magic. Along with teammate Elton Brand, Maggette is notable as one of the first Duke players to leave before the end of his athletic eligibility during the tenure of coach Mike Krzyzewski.
During his career with the Clippers, Maggette has established himself as a solid forward and developed into a perennial 20+ per game scorer. Known for excellent jumping ability (he participated in the Slam Dunk Contest at the 2001 NBA All-Star weekend) as well as his propensity to create contact and get to the free throw line, Maggette is consistently among the league leaders in free throws attempted and made. He experienced a banner year in 2004-2005, touting career highs in points, rebounds, assists and free throw percentage while leading the Clippers to a 37-45 record, one of their best showings in years. Bothered by a nagging foot injury, he sat out much of the 2005-2006 campaign. However, he returned to the court and has come off the bench strongly during the 2006-2007 season, despite reportedly feuding with coach Mike Dunleavy. Corey Maggette had his career night against the Lakers April 12, 2007, scoring 39 points and helping the Clippers win the game after recovering from a 19-point deficit.
Off the court, Maggette works with children as a member of the Clippers Reading All-Star Team and also gives charitable donations to hospitals. His "Uh Oh Maggette-O Kids" program brings hundreds of kids to Clippers games for free each year. In 1999 he established his own "Corey Maggette Flight 50 Basketball Camp". He initially invited 50 kids (the jersey number he wears) to the first year's camp. After almost a decade, now the camp takes over 600 kids to its camps each year. It has won "NBA Player's Best Camp Award" for its efforts. In June 2006 he also established "Corey Cares Foundation" to serve, mentor and inspire the less fortunate in the community of basketball and sports. Maggette also can be seen on the streets of LA signing autographs to kids and families.
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