By Bill Sorrell
Correspondent, The Alabama Baptist
Collis Temple Jr.’s legacy has made its way to the NBA.
From 1971 to 1974, Temple was the first African-American to play varsity basketball at Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge, be named All-Southeastern Conference as a senior and be drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the 1974 NBA draft.
While Temple did not play in the NBA, he played for the San Antonio Spurs when they were members of the American Basketball Association before the league merger in 1976.
“My dad being the first African-American to play at LSU is an amazing legacy,” said Garrett Temple, a guard for the Sacramento Kings. “It means a great deal. It shows some progress and I appreciate him for blazing that trail for us — for me and those other players that played at LSU.”
One of those other players at LSU was Collis Temple III, who also followed in his father’s footsteps, playing there from 1999 to 2003.
Both his father and his brother gave Garrett Temple advice: “Good things will happen if you put in the work. Eventually you will get the results you want.”
And Garrett Temple’s hard work has paid off.
Following in the footsteps of his father and brother, Garrett Temple played at LSU. From his freshman season in 2005 through his senior year in 2009, his point total increased as well as his minutes. During his senior season he became the all-time leader in minutes played — 4,432. He was All-SEC Defensive Team and All-SEC Second Team.
NBA contract
Undrafted out of college he signed his first guaranteed NBA contract in 2013 with the Washington Wizards.
Since then he has reaped the benefits of tithing.
“I didn’t know all the ins and outs of tithing. I started tithing my third year. It’s just crazy. Not crazy — amazing — how God rewards you after being obedient. When I started tithing and doing what I was supposed to be doing, that is when the contracts started getting bigger. I have been tithing every year since then. It’s not all about the money. You can do so much good with the money. He has blessed me. It shows His faithfulness,” he said.
Garrett Temple’s faith kept him grounded and focused on his goals during eight 10-day contracts with five NBA teams; Development League stints with three teams; an overseas season in Italy; being on the roster of four NBA Summer League teams; and being waived by the Miami Heat in 2012.
He played with the Wizards from 2012 to 2016 before being traded to Sacramento.
“I never feared the next thing because I had faith in God. If I have fear that means that I don’t trust what God is doing. I never feared anything at all. I have always been a guy that lets things roll off my back and I understand that something is bigger. If a door closes, God closes it for a reason. I understand that concept. He has allowed me not to be a worrier, but a guy who trusts His timing and trusts whatever He has for me. I have a peace of mind to not worry about things I cannot control.”
Garrett Temple credits his father for helping him be where he is.
As well as basketball, Garrett Temple learned from his father to prioritize and “do the right things. God first and foremost and family. You are on this earth to do good things for other people and be grateful for what you are,” Garrett Temple said.
A member of Mount Zion First Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Garrett Temple grew up in church, being baptized at a young age.
However, he began to better understand his faith while a junior at LSU and got “serious” about it his first year in Washington.
“The third year in the NBA was big for me,” he said. “That was a turning point.”
A daily Bible reader, Romans 12 is his favorite Scripture passage.
“It shows you how to be a good Christian and how to live it. It has not been difficult. I was always raised to be an independent thinker. My mom did a good deal of that as well as my father. I was a guy who always shunned peer pressure. I am not letting the NBA life affect it really that much more.
“I want to continue getting better as a Christian man,” he said. “Every day I will try to continue to walk that line and stay true to my faith.”
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