Pat Garrity is a former NBA forward known for his shooting and floor-spacing that helped teams stretch the floor in the late 1990s and 2000s. A Notre Dame alumnus, Garrity entered the NBA via the 1998 draft and spent significant time with the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic, where his spacing and shooting helped define the role of the stretch forward.
Career Overview
Pat Garrity’s NBA journey began when he was drafted in 1998 by the Phoenix Suns. He built a career as a reliable shooting forward, known for outside shooting and floor spacing, with the Suns and Magic. Garrity’s tenure coincided with the league’s shift toward perimeter shooting.
Playing Style & Role
Pat Garrity was a prototypical floor-spacer whose strength was his shooting range. He contributed as a stretch forward, capable of opening driving lanes for teammates and providing a reliable 3-point option in pick-and-pop setups.
College Background
Pat Garrity played college basketball at the University of Notre Dame, where he developed into a sharpshooter whose talents translated to the NBA.
NBA Entry & Teams
Selected by the Phoenix Suns in the 1998 NBA Draft, Pat Garrity later joined the Orlando Magic, where he continued to be valued for his shooting and floor-spacing abilities.
Notable Achievements
Pat Garrity is remembered for his 3-point shooting and his role in energizing lineups with spacing. His career reflected the NBA’s late-90s/early-2000s emphasis on perimeter specialists and floor balance.
Stats Snapshot
As a versatile forward, Pat Garrity contributed as a scoring option and floor spacer, bringing value through shooting efficiency, spacing, and disciplined shot selection in the rotation.
Post-NBA Life & Ventures
Following his playing days, Pat Garrity remained active within basketball communities, including Notre Dame alumni circles, while pursuing professional endeavors tied to sports and media.
Legacy in NBA & Fan Culture
Pat Garrity’s impact lies in exemplifying the rise of the modern shooting forward. His NBA career helped illustrate how a reliable outside shot can shape team strategy and player development, a point often cited in basketball discussions.
2025 Perspective & Discussion
In 2025, Pat Garrity’s career offers a lens into how role players who stretched the floor paved the way for today’s spacing-centric NBA game, making him a relevant subject for discussions about evolution and legacy in basketball.
Discussion Questions
- How did Pat Garrity influence floor spacing on the Suns and Magic during his prime?
- In what ways does Garrity’s career reflect the shift toward three-point shooting in the NBA?
- What is Pat Garrity’s lasting legacy at Notre Dame in terms of developing players who reach the NBA?
- Would Pat Garrity’s skill set translate into today’s game with its even faster pace and more versatile forwards?
- What metrics best capture the value of a player like Pat Garrity beyond points and rebounds?
Join the Conversation
Share your take on Pat Garrity’s NBA journey and how his era compares to the modern game.