Brian Cardinal

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Brian Cardinal (born May 2, 1977) is a former American basketball player known for his hustle and defense. Nicknamed "the Custodian" and "the Janitor," he played in the NBA from 2000 to 2012, appearing in 456 games and totaling 2,108 points, 1,050 rebounds, and 465 assists. He won an NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.

Early life and college
Cardinal grew up in Tolono, Illinois, and attended Unity High School, where he starred with his brother Troy and earned national attention as a top recruit. He played college basketball at Purdue from 1996 to 2000, serving as a team captain and becoming known for his energy and defense. He helped Purdue reach the NCAA tournament four times and finished high on the school’s all-time scoring list.

Professional career
Drafted 44th overall by the Detroit Pistons in 2000, Cardinal split his career among several NBA teams: Pistons, Washington Wizards, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Dallas Mavericks. He also played one season in Spain for Pamesa Valencia. Cardinal’s best NBA seasons came with the Warriors, and he earned his league title with the Mavericks in 2011. His final NBA appearance was in 2012 with Dallas.

Personal
His father, Rod Cardinal, was a longtime Illinois basketball trainer. He is married to Danielle Bird, a former Purdue walk-on, and their son Bryson Cardinal plays college basketball for Butler.