Career: Central Michigan (USA-NCAA Div. 1 2000-03), Los Angeles Clippers (NBA, 2003-2008). Selected in the first round of the 2003 NBA draft (#6), by the Los Angeles Clippers.

American-born Chris Kaman, the Los Angeles Clippers center, was granted a German passport early in July. His grandparents were German and Kaman jumped at the chance to not only represent the country, but also to have excellent competition during the summer. The center is a force on the blocks who played in none of Germany’s friendlies but still did very well at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Kaman has strong inside moves and can run the floor well for a man his size and also showed in Athens he can make jump shots from 12 to 15 feet. He is a tremendous rebounder, an excellent shot-blocker and an underrated passer. Teaming Kaman with Nowitzki gives National Team Coach Dirk Bauermann plenty of options offensively. And Kaman is the intimidator in the middle that allows the defensive-minded Bauermann to order his wing players to take more risks. Every practice and game that Kaman plays before the Olympics is vital as Bauermann tried to integrate him into the team.