Say Cheese: Chris Chiozza is an NBA Champion
Chris Chiozza is the latest Florida player to get his hands on the Larry O’Brien Trophy, becoming the first Gator to win an NBA title since 2015.
Chiozza just completed his first season with the Golden State Warriors, who defeated the Boston Celtics in six games to win their fourth championship in eight years. He appeared in 34 games during the regular season, highlighted by an 11-point game vs. Toronto and a 9-point, five-assist performance at San Antonio, both wins for the Warriors.
After going undrafted in 2018 and a stop in the NBA G League, Chiozza had stints with the Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards before signing with the Brooklyn Nets.
Kyrie Irving underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in late February 2020 and Chiozza earned more playing time following his role in the Nets’ comeback, overtime win at Boston on March 3. He averaged 19.4 minutes over the team’s final 16 games of the year, scoring in double figures seven times.
Chiozza appeared in 28 games with Brooklyn during the 2020-21 season, matching his career-high with 14 points in his season debut and setting a new career-best with 11 assists. He signed a two-way contract with Golden State in August 2021.
“Tremendously excited,” Chiozza said of joining the Warriors. “Getting to play with, learn from Steph [Curry]. One of the best point guards ever. So, I’ve been fortunate enough to play with, you know, elite guards, so far throughout my career.
“I’m just going to use this opportunity the same as I’ve used my other opportunities and just come out here and by myself. Play as hard as I can, do whatever the team needs me to do, just prove myself again and just try to be an important piece to this team in any way possible.”
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Chris Chiozza as a Gator
Chris Chiozza finished his UF career as the program’s all-time assists leader with 571, breaking Erving Walker’s school record. He twice had the best assist-to-turnover ratio in the SEC and led the league in assists (6.1) as a senior, also averaging 11.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game to earn First-Team All-SEC honors.
Chiozza was named to the 2018 SEC All-Defensive Team as well, posting 65 steals, the program’s fourth-best single-season total. He had a last-second steal and layup with 0.1 seconds left to give the Gators a road win at Missouri.
Of course, Chiozza is best known for one of the most memorable game-winning shots in school history. As a junior in 2017, he hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to beat Wisconsin in overtime in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen at Madison Square Garden.
Chiozza is the ninth Florida player to win an NBA title, joining Vernon Maxwell (1994-95 with Houston), Udonis Haslem (2006, 2012-13 with Miami), Jason Williams (2006 with Miami), Matt Bonner (2007, 2014 with San Antonio), Corey Brewer (2011 with Dallas), Mike Miller (2012-13 with Miami), David Lee and Marreese Speights (2015 with Warriors).
