Quick Facts
LibraBiography
Jeff Lemans McInnis (born October 22, 1974) is an American retired professional basketball player. He played in the NBA, in Greece (1996–97) and in the CBA (1998–99).
Career
He previously played for the New Jersey Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards and Denver Nuggets. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was a 1996 2nd round draft pick of the Nuggets. He stands 6 ft 4 in (192 cm).
At the Staples Center prior to a Los Angeles Clippers December 1, 2000 game against the visiting Toronto Raptors, Charles Oakley and McInnis were involved in a fistfight. Oakley was suspended for three games and fined US$15,000. McInnis attempted to retaliate but was not disciplined. The fight was believed to be over a woman.
McInnis signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Nets prior to the 2005-06 season, primarily to back up Jason Kidd. He received limited playing minutes, and on January 15, he tore cartilage in his left knee, causing him to miss significant time. While he was ready to return to action for the 2006 playoffs, the Nets decided to keep him inactive.
The Nets tried to work out a buyout of McInnis' contract or a trade prior to the 2006-07 season, but were unsuccessful, and at the start of 2007 McInnis remained in limbo, on the Nets roster but exiled from the team.
On January 3, 2007, the Nets traded McInnis to the Charlotte Bobcats for Bernard Robinson and cash considerations. McInnis played 38 games for Charlotte, and averaged 4.3 points per game and 3.3 assists. His first game as a Bobcat, on January 12, ended after only eight seconds when the Philadelphia 76ers discovered McInnis was not on the official roster turned in before the game. The Bobcats were called for a team technical foul, and McInnis was ejected. Apparently a Bobcats employee turned in the wrong roster.
McInnis was waived by the Bobcats on February 29, 2008. McInnis's agent, Steve Kauffman, told The Charlotte Observer that McInnis left with no hard feelings. "In the end somebody had to make a decision and Sam and Rod (Higgins, the Bobcats general manager) were very fair with Jeff," Kauffman said.