Topic: Brian Cardinal

Brian Lee Cardinal (born May 2, 1977 in Tolono, Illinois) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association.

Brian Cardinal attended Unity High School in Tolono, Illinois where he played basketball with his brother, Troy. Throughout his high school career, Brian grew 5 inches in height. He led the Rockets to an 86–25 record during his high school career, where he averaged 23.5 points during his Junior year and 24.1 points per game in his Senior year. He scored 40 points in two different games. On April 15, Brian was selected as the Coca-Cola All-American Most Valuable Player, where he scored 24 points and 13 rebounds for the West team.

After graduating from high school, Cardinal attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana to play under head coach Gene Keady and assistant coaches Frank Kendrick and Bruce Weber. Cardinal was redshirted during his Freshman season. During the 1996–97 season, Brian averaged 10.6 points a game and grabbed 182 rebounds on the season. He recorded his first collegiate double-double in only his second game against Western Michigan with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Along with Juniors Brad Miller and Chad Austin, he helped lead the Boilermakers to an NCAA Tournament Second Round appearance.