Introduction
Robert Michael Archibald (29 March 1980 – 23 January 2020) was a Scottish professional basketball player. A 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) power forward / center from the University of Illinois, he was selected by the NBA club the Memphis Grizzlies with the third pick of the second round (32nd overall) of the 2002 NBA draft.
Career
Archibald graduated from Lafayette High School in 1998, along with MLB player Ryan Howard. Archibald's father Bobbie was a player for Murray BC in Scotland and was capped several times for Scotland and Great Britain's national teams.
NBA
After drafting him in the second round, Memphis Grizzlies signed Archibald to a 2-year contract. After one season with the team, in which he played only 12 games, Archibald was traded alongside Brevin Knight andCezary Trybański to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Bo Outlaw and Jake Tsakalidis. On December 26, 2003, Archibald was traded again, this time to the Orlando Magic. A week later he was traded, for the third time that season, to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Mengke Bateer and Remon van de Hare. He played 30 games with the Raptors.He holds NBA career averages of 1.2 points and 1.6 rebounds per game.
Europe
Archibald played four seasons in the Euroleague with Scavolini Pesaro, Joventut Badalona and two seasons with Unicaja Málaga.In July 2011 he signed a one-year contract with CAI Zaragoza. Archibald retired after the 2012 Summer Olympics in which he represented Great Britain.
International
Archibald represented the Scottish national basketball team at junior level. He joined the Great Britain national team as it formed in 2007. He represented Great Britain in Eurobasket 2011 and at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Death
Archibald died aged 39 in Illinois.