Mike Bibby is really what you have to have to be a successful NBA franchise. I think now the consensus is pretty much if you don't have a point guard, you're not going to have a good team in the NBA, and Mike Bibby is a consummate point guard. He thinks like a point guard and he plays like a point guard. He really doesn't have a lot of weaknesses. He handles the ball well, he shoots it well, and he's intelligent. He does what he's supposed to do, whether it's to shoot the ball or pass it to a teammate. He makes very few mistakes, and that's what separates him from a lot of guards.
Mike attended the University of Arizona for two seasons before turning pro. Although his time there was short, Mike is considered to be one of the finest players ever to wear the Wildcats uniform. Mike's impact was felt immediately at Arizona, as he scored 22 points in a victory of North Carolina in his first ever-collegiate game. Mike started every game during his two-year career. Mike had a solid freshman season, setting the school record for steals in a game with 8 during a game against Texas. He was named Pac-10 Freshman of the year in after averaging 13.5 PPG & 5.2 APG (3rd in the Pac 10) in helping the Wildcats reach the 1997 NCAA Tournament. Playing in the national spotlight as an 18 year old, Mike stepped up his game during the National Tournament, averaging 18.0 PPG, leading the 4th seeded Wildcats to a National Championship. The Wildcats upset three top seeded teams during their run, including Kentucky in the title game. Against Kentucky, Mike scored 20 points and had career-high nine rebounds. Mike was named a tournament all-star, shooting an amazing 48% from three-point range (18-of-37) and 85% from the free throw line (28-of-33) during the tournament. The following season as a sophomore, Mike was Pac-10 Player of the Year, averaging 17.2 PPG and 5.7 assists and leading the top ranked Wildcats into the NCAA Tournament. Following his sophomore season, Mike announced that he was going to enter the NBA draft and forego the remainder of his college career.
The Vancouver Grizzlies selected Mike with the 2nd overall pick of the 1998 NBA Draft. During his 50 game (lockout shortened) rookie season, Mike led all rookies in assists and ranked 3rd in scoring (13.2 ppg), steals and double- doubles (6). He was also named to Schick All-Rookie Team. Mike continued to improve during his 2nd season, in which he finished fourth in the AT&T shootout and participated in the Rookie Game (dishing out 6 assists) during All Star Weekend. He had his first career triple double (14 PTS, 11 AST & 11 RBS) against Dallas on February 2nd, 2000, and led the Grizzlies to their franchise record 20th victory by sinking the game winning shot against Houston on April 4th 2000. During his third year as a pro, Mike finished 4th in NBA assists, averaging 8.4 per game. He also had a career high 37 points against the Timberwolves on November 22, 2000.
Mike has two brothers (Hank & Dane) & two sisters (Charlsie & Roslyn). He is the son of Virginia Bibby, with whom he is extremely close. He is currently living with his girlfriend, Darcy, and their two children: 4-year-old Michael Dane and one & 1/2 year old Janae Marie. He is very close to his brothers (Dane & Hank) whom live close to his place in Sacramento. His brother-in-law is Eddie House (of the Miami Heat). Two of his closest NBA friends are San Antonio Spur Stephen Jackson & Memphis Grizzlie Michael Dickerson. Mike is also a member of Nike's 'Team Jordan' (one of 8 players in the NBA), and has his own shoe. Mike enjoys watching cartoons (Scooby Doo is his favorite) while he eats his breakfast (pancakes, bagels & turkey bacon). He holds an annual basketball camp in June in his hometown of Phoenix, for which he helps underprivileged youth attend. MikeBibby.com is Mike's newest Official Website, as the operators of his previous site at Athletes direct shutdown.