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Portland Trail Blazers forward Shawn Kemp reportedly will be leaving the team for the rest of the season to check himself into a rehabilitation program for cocaine abuse. Since coming into the league in '89, Kemp has always seemed to keep himself in the news. A recap:
June, 1989: At 19 years old and having never played a collegiate game, Kemp is drafted 17th overall by the SuperSonics. He signs a six-year, $3.6 million deal.
|  | | Kemp is averaging 6.5 points and 3.8 rebounds for the Blazers, his worst numbers since his rookie season. |
February, 1993: In Salt Lake City, plays in the first of six NBA All-Star Games.
August, 1994: Member of Dream Team II, which won gold medal at the World Championships in Toronto.
September, 1994: Holds out of training camp (fueling rumors of a trade for Scottie Pippen), but in October comes to terms.
Jan. 29, 1996: Doesn't start and is fined after being late to game against the Blazers.
April 21, 1996: Suspended for playoff game against Sacramento and fined $7,500 after fight with Denver's Tom Hammonds.
September, 1996: Holds out of training camp in protest over seven-year, $33 million contract signed by Jim McIlvaine. Kemp was due to make $3.7 million in 1996-'97.
Jan. 29, 1997: Doesn't start against Warriors after arriving late to practice.
Feb. 8, 1997: Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports that Kemp was out late drinking the night before a matinee game against the Bulls.
Feb. 11, 1997: Doesn't start against Nuggets after arriving late to practice.
March 30-April 1, 1997: Doesn't start two games after missing team flight to Phoenix and a practice.
April 3, 1997: Doesn't start against Bucks after being late for team meeting. Misses practice the next day, but coach George Karl said afterward it was an excused absence.
April 13, 1997: Reportedly admits that he had a drinking problem to teammates in a players-only meeting.
Sept. 25, 1997: Traded by Seattle to Cleveland in a three-way deal involving the Sonics, Cavs and Bucks.
September, 1997: Reports to camp with Cavs about 25 pounds heavier than his playing weight with Seattle.
Oct. 16, 1997: Signs seven-year, $107 million contract extension with the Cavaliers, becoming the fifth member of the NBA's $100 million club (Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Garnett, Alonzo Mourning and Juwan Howard).
Feb. 7, 2000: Fined $10,000 by the league for conduct toward referees.
Aug. 30, 2000: Traded by Cleveland to Portland as part of a three-way deal.
Dec. 19, 2000: Reportedly fined $190,000 (of $11.7 million salary) for missing practice. He said that he fell asleep due to weariness from his new diet.
April 6, 2001: Reportedly will check himself into a rehab program for cocaine abuse. According to the (Portland) Oregonian, the Blazers' forward will not play again this season.
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