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Calvin Booth

2025 Inductee

2025

Calvin Booth

Calvin Booth's journey in basketball has taken him from high school standout to NBA champion executive. A graduate of Groveport Madison High School in 1994, Booth went on to have an illustrious collegiate career at Penn State University, where he established himself as one of the Big Ten's premier defensive players.

During his time with the Nittany Lions, Booth's defensive prowess earned him Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors in his junior season. He followed that up with a strong senior campaign, garnering Second Team All-Big Ten Conference recognition. In 1998, Booth completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Penn State, demonstrating his commitment to excellence both on and off the court.

Selected 35th overall by the Washington Wizards in the 1999 NBA Draft, Booth embarked on a decade-long professional playing career that would see him suit up for nine different teams. One of his most memorable performances came on January 13, 2004, when he recorded an impressive 10 blocks in just 17 minutes of play, showcasing the shot-blocking ability that had made him a defensive standout in college.

After retiring as a player in 2009, Booth transitioned to the front office side of basketball. He began his executive career as a scout with the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2012-13 season before advancing to Director of Player Personnel with the Minnesota Timberwolves. In 2017, he joined the Denver Nuggets as assistant general manager, marking the beginning of what would become a transformative tenure with the organization.

Booth's ascent continued as he was promoted to General Manager of the Nuggets, and in June 2022, he was elevated to President of Basketball Operations. His strategic vision and leadership played a crucial role in building the Nuggets team that would make history in 2023, capturing the franchise's first NBA championship by defeating the Miami Heat in five games.

Throughout his career, Booth has earned widespread respect across the NBA as a rising executive, successfully transitioning from shot-blocker to championship-caliber front office leader. His journey represents a remarkable evolution from defensive specialist to one of the league's most accomplished executives.

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