Michael David Ruffin is a professional basketball player from the United States of America who plays as a center. Ruffin is a graduate of the University of Tulsa where he was one of the key members of the team in his four years. Ruffin declared for the 1999 NBA Draft and was picked in round two, by the Chicago Bulls.

Never really a stalwart in the first team, Ruffin was traded out of the Bulls after a couple of seasons, moving to the Philadelphia 76ers. Ruffin was never amongst the big points, averaging only 1.7 points per game through his career, although he did manage to grab 4.0 rebounds per game. Known primarily for his defensive prowess, Ruffin was known to bring out crucial blocks and grab rebounds while also being known for extremely hard dunks.

After the 76ers refused a new contract, Ruffin was forced to look elsewhere and he moved to Spain to play at Caprabo Lleida in the ACB League.

Born 21 Jan 1977
Nationality United States United States
Team History
227 portland trail blazers Portland 2009
211 milwaukee bucks Milwaukee 2007 - 2008

He returned to the NBA after a single season in Spain and joined the Utah Jazz for the 2003-04 season. He was soon moving again, this time to the Washington Wizards. At the Wizards, he was a regular part of the starting lineup although he is mostly remembered for a big mistake against the Toronto Raptors in March, 2007.

Ruffin, with the Wizards leading 109-106 and 3.8 seconds remaining on the clock, intercepted an inbound half-court pass. However, instead of holding on to it, he decided to heave the ball into the air to run out the clock. Unfortunately, the ball came down before he expected it to and Morris Peterson, of the Raptors, grabbed it and hit an incredible 31-foot, 3-pointer to tie the game. The Wizards lost the game in overtime, 123-118.

Ruffin was traded out at the end of that season, to the Milwaukee Bucks who, after one season, sent him back to the Chicago Bulls for the 2008-09 season. In February 2008, Ruffin was traded out to the Sacramento Kings and then to the Portland Trailblazers in a 3-team trade deal.

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