Kevin Maurice Garnett, born May 19, 1976, and nicknamed "the Big Ticket," is an American former professional basketball player widely considered one of the greatest power forwards for his intense versatility and defensive ability over 21 NBA seasons. He made history in 1995 as the first player drafted directly from high school in 20 years, selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he led them to eight consecutive playoff appearances and earned the NBA MVP Award in 2004.

Garnett achieved ultimate team success after being traded to the Boston Celtics in 2007, leading them to the 2008 NBA Championship and winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award that same season. He retired in September 2016, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020, and named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. Notably, Garnett is one of only five NBA players ever to have won both the NBA Most Valuable Player and NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards, alongside 15 All-Star selections.