Kenneth Faried

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Faried's path to the NBA was forged through persistence rather than hype. Lanky and possessing low standardized test scores, he went unrecruited by major programs until Morehead State won him over with their tenacity. There, he transformed from an overlooked prospect into a two-time Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year. His junior year saw him lead the Eagles to the NCAA tournament while earning AP honorable mention All-American status. That same year, he led Morehead State to an upset of the Louisville Cardinals and was named MVP of the Reese's College All-Star Game, cementing his legacy as one of college basketball's most decorated rebounders before even stepping onto an NBA court.

In Their Own Story

On April 2, Faried etched his name in the record books against the New Orleans Pelicans. In just 27 minutes on the floor, he posted 34 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, becoming the first player in NBA history to achieve those numbers while playing that few minutes. Earlier in his career, on April 9, 2012, he set a different benchmark against the Golden State Warriors with 27 points and 17 rebounds in under 25 minutes. His peak intensity was visible on February 3, 2013, when he dominated the Rising Stars Challenge as MVP, scoring 40 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to lead Team Chuck to a 163–135 victory over Team Shaq. However, his role shifted after the Nuggets acquired Mason Plumlee, Paul Millsap, and Trey Lyles in 2017. Displeased with being relegated to the bench, Faried insisted he was "a starter," not a reserve, before averaging career lows of 5.9 points and 4.8 rebounds in his final season with Denver.

Reader's Guide

Faried's game was built on rebounding dominance and explosive finishing. In Denver, he averaged 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game as a rookie, earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors. His versatility allowed him to score in double digits consistently during his college years and post multiple career highs in the pros, including a season-high 30 points against the Sacramento Kings on April 12, 2015. Beyond scoring, he was a defensive force, grabbing a career-high 21 rebounds against the Utah Jazz on April 12 of one season. He also represented the United States at the 2014 FIBA World Cup, winning gold and making the All-Tournament Team.

Did You Know?

• Faried was not heavily recruited out of high school due to his lanky physique and low standardized test scores, choosing Morehead State only because of their persistence.
• He became the first player in NBA history to record at least 34 points and 13 rebounds while playing 27 minutes or less, achieving this against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 2.
• In his final season with Denver (2017–18), Faried insisted he was "a starter" after being moved to a bench role following trades for Mason Plumlee and Paul Millsap.
• Faried won a gold medal and was named to the All-Tournament Team while playing for the United States at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.