Joel Przybilla (born October 10, 1979) is an American professional basketball player. A 7'1" (2.16 m) center of Polish and German descent, he currently plays for the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA. His nicknames include "The Vanilla Gorilla" and "The Thrilla'."
Przybilla was born in Monticello, Minnesota, and attended Monticello High School, where he was coached by Max LaVelle of the Monticello Magic.
He played two seasons at the University of...
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Joel Przybilla (born October 10, 1979) is an American professional basketball player. A 7'1" (2.16 m) center of Polish and German descent, he currently plays for the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA. His nicknames include "The Vanilla Gorilla" and "The Thrilla'."
Przybilla was born in Monticello, Minnesota, and attended Monticello High School, where he was coached by Max LaVelle of the Monticello Magic.
He played two seasons at the University of Minnesota. He left Minnesota during the middle of his sophomore season due to differences with first-year coach Dan Monson.
Przybilla was the 9th overall selection in the 2000 NBA Draft, chosen by the Houston Rockets, but traded the same day to the Milwaukee Bucks for their first round pick, Jason Collier and a future first round pick. After playing for the Bucks for 3+ seasons, on February 15, 2004, he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in a three team trade. Upon free agency, Phoenix and Toronto showed interest but Portland was the only team...
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