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Tim Duncan
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==Early life== Duncan was born on April 25, 1976, and raised in [[Saint Croix]], [[U.S. Virgin Islands]]. He is the son of immigrants from [[Anguilla]]: Ione, a professional [[midwife]], and William Duncan, a [[Bricklayer|mason]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=S. I. |title=SLAM DUNCAN TIM DUNCAN OF WAKE FOREST HAS BURST ONTO THE COLLEGE SCENE WITH ALL THE FORCE OF A TWO-HAND JAM |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1995/11/27/slam-duncan-tim-duncan-wake-forest-has-burst-college-scene-all-force-two-hand-jam |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=Sports Illustrated Vault {{!}} SI.com |language=en-us}}</ref> He has two older sisters, Cheryl and [[Tricia Duncan|Tricia]],<ref name=kernan/> and an older brother, Scott, who became a [[film director]] and [[cinematographer]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/amp/Meet-Tim-Duncan-s-big-brother-Scott-Duncan-6537689.php |title=Meet Tim Duncan's Big Brother Scott Duncan |date=September 29, 2015 |access-date=April 12, 2018 |archive-date=April 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412212344/https://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/amp/Meet-Tim-Duncan-s-big-brother-Scott-Duncan-6537689.php |url-status=live }}</ref> Cheryl was a champion swimmer before she became a nurse, and Tricia swam for the [[Virgin Islands at the 1988 Summer Olympics|U.S. Virgin Islands]] at the [[1988 Summer Olympics]] in [[Seoul]].<ref name=kernan>{{cite book|title=Slam Duncan|first=Kevin|last=Kernan|year=2000|page=[https://archive.org/details/timduncanslamdun0000kern/page/19 19]|publisher=Sports Pub |isbn=978-1-58261-179-2|url=https://archive.org/details/timduncanslamdun0000kern/page/19}}</ref> In school, Duncan was a bright pupil and dreamt of becoming an Olympic-level swimmer like Tricia.<ref name="jockbio">[https://web.archive.org/web/20170222032620/http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/Duncan/Duncan_bio.html Tim Duncan Biography], jockbio.com. Retrieved April 19, 2007.</ref><ref name="slamduncanP11">{{cite book|title=Slam Duncan|first=Kevin|last=Kernan|year=2000|page=[https://archive.org/details/timduncanslamdun0000kern/page/11 11]|publisher=Sports Pub |isbn=978-1-58261-179-2|url=https://archive.org/details/timduncanslamdun0000kern/page/11}}</ref> His parents were very supportive, and Duncan excelled at swimming, becoming a teenage standout in the 50-, 100-, and 400-meter [[freestyle swimming|freestyle]] and aiming to go to the [[1992 Summer Olympics|1992 Olympic Games]] as a member of the United States Team.<ref name="jockbio"/> In 1989, after [[Hurricane Hugo]] destroyed the island's only Olympic-sized swimming pool, Duncan was forced to swim in the ocean instead, and his fear of sharks ruined his enthusiasm for the sport.<ref name="jockbio"/> He was dealt another emotional blow when his mother died of [[breast cancer]] on April 24, 1990, the day before his 14th birthday.<ref name="jockbio"/> On her deathbed, she made Duncan and his sisters promise that they would graduate from college, going a long way in explaining Duncan's later refusal to leave college early for the NBA.<ref name="21Q">[http://www.slamduncan.com/news-21questions.php Questions with Tim Duncan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105052444/http://www.slamduncan.com/news-21questions.php |date=January 5, 2012 }}, slamduncan.com. Retrieved January 13, 2008.</ref> Duncan never swam competitively again, but his brother-in-law inspired him to turn to basketball.<ref name="21Q"/> Initially, Duncan had difficulties adapting to the game he thought would help relieve his pain and frustration. St. Croix Country Day School athletic director Nancy Pomroy has said, "[Duncan] was so huge. So big and tall, but he was awfully awkward at the time."<ref>{{cite book|title=Slam Duncan|first=Kevin|last=Kernan|year=2000|pages=[https://archive.org/details/timduncanslamdun0000kern/page/20 20β21]|publisher=Sports Pub |isbn=978-1-58261-179-2|url=https://archive.org/details/timduncanslamdun0000kern/page/20}}</ref> He overcame his awkwardness to become a standout for the [[St. Dunstan's Episcopal High School]], averaging 25 points per game as a senior. His play attracted the attention of several universities.<ref name="nbabio">{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/tim_duncan/bio.html |title=Tim Duncan β Bio |work=NBA.com |access-date=August 25, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814200345/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/tim_duncan/bio.html |archive-date=August 14, 2007}}</ref> [[Wake Forest University]] basketball coach [[Dave Odom]], in particular, grew interested in Duncan after the 16-year-old allegedly played NBA star [[Alonzo Mourning]] to a draw in a 5-on-5 pick-up game.<ref name="jockbio"/> Odom was searching for a tall, physical player to play near the basket.<ref name="jockbio"/> Given the weak level of basketball in the Virgin Islands, Odom was wary about Duncan at first, especially after first meeting him and thinking him inattentive; Duncan stared blankly at Odom for most of the conversation.<ref name="Kernan2831">{{cite book|title=Slam Duncan|first=Kevin|last=Kernan|year=2000|pages=[https://archive.org/details/timduncanslamdun0000kern/page/28 28β31]|publisher=Sports Pub |isbn=978-1-58261-179-2|url=https://archive.org/details/timduncanslamdun0000kern/page/28}}</ref> But after the first talk, Odom understood that this was just Duncan's demeanor and discovered that he was not only a talented athlete but also a quick learner.<ref name="Kernan2831"/> Eventually, despite scholarship offers by the [[University of Hartford]], the [[University of Delaware]], and [[Providence College]], Duncan joined Odom's Wake Forest Demon Deacons.<ref name="jockbio"/>
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