G Forbes, better known as Gary Orlando Forbes, is a former Panamanian professional basketball player whose career is a story of persistence, development, and overcoming setbacks. Born in Colón, Panama, Forbes moved to Brooklyn, New York, as a child and developed into a highly regarded basketball prospect. His path eventually took him from high school courts in Brooklyn to the University of Virginia, UMass, professional leagues around the world, and finally the NBA.
What makes the story of Gary Forbes especially interesting is that his NBA journey did not follow a traditional path. Despite being named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year in 2008, he went undrafted that summer. Instead of giving up, Forbes continued working through the NBA Development League, international basketball, summer leagues, and training camps until he earned his opportunity with the Denver Nuggets. UMass Athletics confirms that he made Denver’s opening-day roster in 2010 after an impressive preseason.
Quick Bio Information
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gary Orlando Forbes |
| Known As | Gary Forbes / G Forbes |
| Date Of Birth | February 25, 1985 |
| Birthplace | Colón, Panama |
| Nationality | Panamanian |
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) |
| Playing Position | Small Forward / Shooting Guard |
| High School | Benjamin Banneker Academy |
| College | Virginia And UMass |
| NBA Draft | 2008, Undrafted |
| NBA Teams | Denver Nuggets And Toronto Raptors |
| Professional Career | 2008–2020 |
| Atlantic 10 Award | Player Of The Year, 2008 |
| UMass Honor | First-Team All-Atlantic 10 |
| Panama Debut | 2007 FIBA Americas Championship |
| Notable NBA Route | D-League, International Basketball, NBA Summer Leagues |
| College Breakthrough | UMass |
| National Team | Panama |
| Career Position | Wing Player |
FIBA lists Forbes at 201 centimeters, or 6 feet 7 inches, and records his Panamanian national-team appearances across several major international competitions.
Early Life And Growing Up In Brooklyn
Gary Forbes was born in Panama, but his basketball development became closely connected to Brooklyn. He and his mother moved to New York when he was a child, and he eventually attended Benjamin Banneker Academy. Basketball quickly became more than a hobby for the young Forbes. His performances suggested that he could compete at a much higher level.
At Benjamin Banneker Academy, Forbes established himself as one of the school’s standout players. He finished his high school career with 1,512 points and 766 rebounds and set school records for points, rebounds, and blocked shots. As a junior, he averaged 27 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists per game. As a senior, those numbers rose to 31 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks per game. His performances earned him local recognition and helped put his name on the national recruiting radar.
Becoming A Highly Rated College Prospect
Forbes entered the college recruiting process as a serious prospect. He was highly ranked nationally and received scholarship interest from programs including Georgia Tech and Mississippi State before choosing the University of Virginia. His combination of size, scoring ability, rebounding, and versatility made him an attractive player for major college basketball programs.
His recruitment was an important early step in the story of G Forbes because it demonstrated that his talent was recognized well before his NBA career. However, reaching the professional level would require several more stages of development.
College Career At Virginia
Forbes played two seasons at Virginia. During the 2003–04 season, his freshman year, he appeared in all 31 games and started 17. He averaged 7.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while also contributing defensively with 28 blocked shots and 30 steals.
As a sophomore in 2004–05, Forbes appeared in 29 games and started four. His scoring average increased to 9.4 points per game, while he averaged 4.1 rebounds. He produced several notable performances, including a 23-point game against North Carolina and a double-double against Duke.
After the 2004–05 season, coach Pete Gillen left Virginia, and Forbes decided to transfer. He chose UMass, beginning a new chapter that would ultimately transform his basketball career.
Why Gary Forbes Transferred To UMass
Forbes transferred to the University of Massachusetts after leaving Virginia. NCAA transfer rules required him to sit out the 2005–06 season, meaning he had to spend a full season preparing rather than playing regular-season college basketball.
That difficult period eventually proved valuable. At UMass, Forbes found an environment where he could develop into a much bigger offensive contributor. His role expanded during the 2006–07 season, and he quickly showed why he had been considered such a promising prospect earlier in his career.
Gary Forbes’ Breakout Years At UMass
Forbes started 23 of UMass’ 33 games during the 2006–07 season and averaged 13.0 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. One of his most memorable performances came against Temple, where he scored 31 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.
He also helped UMass win its first Atlantic 10 title since the 1995–96 season. The team’s success and Forbes’ individual improvement established him as one of the conference’s emerging players. UMass Athletics notes that he received multiple newcomer or transfer-of-the-year honors during that period.
The following season would be even more important.
Winning Atlantic 10 Player Of The Year
During his senior season in 2007–08, Forbes became the centerpiece of the UMass offense. He averaged 20.3 points per game and finished the regular season tied with Temple’s Dionte Christmas for the Atlantic 10 scoring lead.
He produced at least 20 points in 18 games and also led UMass in rebounding at 7.7 per game. The Atlantic 10 coaches selected him as the 2007–08 Player of the Year, while he also earned First-Team All-Atlantic 10 honors.
His season earned additional national recognition when he was named an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American. He also participated in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, a major showcase watched by professional scouts.
UMass’ 2008 NIT Run And College Legacy
Forbes’ final college season became memorable for both him and UMass. The Minutemen reached the 2008 NIT championship game after defeating strong opponents, including Syracuse and defending NCAA champion Florida.
Forbes remained productive throughout the tournament and was selected to the NIT All-Tournament Team. UMass finished the season 25–11, giving the program back-to-back 20-win seasons. His two seasons at UMass established him as one of the program’s notable modern players, and his scoring total at the school reflected how productive he had become in a relatively short period.
Going Undrafted In The 2008 NBA Draft
Despite his college success, Forbes was not selected in the 2008 NBA Draft. That was a major setback for a player who had just been named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year.
Instead of treating the draft result as the end of his NBA dream, Forbes continued searching for opportunities. He played at the NBA Pre-Draft Camp in Orlando and attracted attention with a 30-point performance in his second game there. UMass Athletics reported that he made 15 of 16 free throws during that performance.
He later joined the Washington Wizards for NBA Summer League action, giving NBA teams another opportunity to evaluate him.
Starting His Professional Career
Forbes began his professional career in the NBA Development League with the Sioux Falls Skyforce after being selected fourth overall in the 2008 D-League Draft. He later moved to the Tulsa 66ers. Across the 2008–09 D-League season, he averaged 17.4 points and 5.3 rebounds.
His career then became highly international. Forbes played in the Philippines, Venezuela, and Italy before joining Ironi Ramat Gan in Israel. His Israeli stint was especially notable because he averaged 20.3 points per game, leading the league in scoring according to the career information supplied by UMass.
This international experience was crucial because it kept Forbes professionally active while he continued pursuing another NBA opportunity.
The Breakthrough: Gary Forbes Reaches The NBA
Forbes eventually returned to the United States and continued competing in NBA summer-league opportunities. In 2010, the Denver Nuggets invited him to training camp.
He impressed the coaching staff during preseason and averaged 10.1 points per game, enough to earn a place on Denver’s opening-day roster. UMass Athletics described his roster selection as a significant achievement because he became the seventh UMass player to reach the NBA.
His breakthrough was particularly meaningful because Forbes had already experienced the disappointment of going undrafted. He had built his career through persistence rather than a guaranteed draft position.
Gary Forbes With The Denver Nuggets
Forbes’ first NBA season showed that he could contribute beyond simply making the roster. NBA coverage described him as a player capable of providing scoring, defense, energy, and positional versatility. He dressed for all 82 games during his rookie season and made 11 starts, while Denver went 8–3 in those starts.
His emergence also attracted attention from major figures within the Nuggets organization. During training camp, Carmelo Anthony singled Forbes out as a player who had surprised him. Coach George Karl also praised his ability and work ethic.
Forbes’ NBA arrival therefore represented more than a personal milestone. It was the payoff from years of moving between college basketball, developmental leagues, summer leagues, and international teams.
Toronto Raptors And Forbes’ Second NBA Season
After his time with Denver, Forbes joined the Toronto Raptors. His signing gave him another opportunity to establish himself in the NBA.
He later became part of a trade involving the Houston Rockets and Kyle Lowry. Houston ultimately waived him in October 2012. Although his NBA career was relatively short, Forbes had achieved something many talented players never do: he had gone from being undrafted to playing regular-season NBA basketball.
His NBA journey also demonstrated how important development leagues and international basketball can be for players who do not immediately receive a long-term NBA opportunity.
Life After The NBA
After leaving the NBA, Forbes continued his professional career overseas and in developmental leagues. He played for the Zhejiang Lions in China and later returned to the NBA Development League with teams including the Springfield Armor, Grand Rapids Drive, and Long Island Nets.
He also played for Boca Juniors in Argentina, Faros Larissas in Greece, and Al-Ittihad Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. His career history reflects the global nature of professional basketball and shows that his playing career extended far beyond his NBA seasons.
The broader story of Gary Forbes Basketball is therefore not simply about the NBA. It is about a player who spent years adapting to different leagues, teammates, coaches, and basketball cultures.
Gary Forbes And The Panama National Team
Forbes also represented his home country internationally. His first major FIBA appearance came with Panama at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas.
He averaged 17.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in four games. Against Argentina, he scored a tournament-high 29 points. FIBA’s official records also show that Forbes later represented Panama at the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship, the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup, and the 2019 World Cup Americas Qualifiers.
His international career adds another important dimension to his story. Forbes did not only represent himself and his professional teams; he also became part of Panama’s senior national basketball program.
Gary Forbes In The Basketball Tournament
Forbes later participated in The Basketball Tournament, a high-profile competition featuring professional and former professional players and offering a large cash prize.
He played with the Talladega Knights in 2016 and 2017 and later competed with Gael Nation in 2018. His participation showed that even after his NBA period, he remained connected to competitive basketball.
Personal Life And Life Beyond Basketball
One of the most important personal aspects of Forbes’ story is his experience with Type 1 diabetes. He was diagnosed at around age 20 after losing significant weight in a short period. According to NBA coverage, diabetes also affected members of his family, including his father and grandfather.
Forbes initially worried about what the diagnosis could mean for his basketball ambitions. Instead, his professional career became an example of continuing to compete while managing the condition. During his NBA years, he spoke about the importance of showing young people that having diabetes does not automatically prevent someone from pursuing high-level athletics.
What Made Gary Forbes’ Basketball Journey Unique?
The most compelling part of the G Forbes story is the route he took to the NBA. He was a talented high school player, a successful college star, and a conference Player of the Year, yet the 2008 NBA Draft passed without his name being called.
Rather than allowing that moment to define him, Forbes continued playing. He competed in the D-League, traveled internationally, returned to NBA summer leagues, and eventually earned a Denver roster spot. His career illustrates how professional basketball can have many routes to the highest level.
Forbes’ journey is also a reminder that success does not always arrive at the moment a player expects. His NBA opportunity came after several years of professional experience, and his persistence ultimately turned an undrafted status into an NBA career.
Final Thoughts
The story of G Forbes, or Gary Forbes, is ultimately a story about persistence. His career began with impressive basketball performances in Brooklyn, continued through Virginia and UMass, and reached its college peak when he became the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year.
Going undrafted in 2008 could easily have ended his NBA ambitions, but Forbes took a different route. He played in the D-League, competed overseas, returned to NBA opportunities, and eventually earned a roster spot with the Denver Nuggets. He later played for the Toronto Raptors and continued his professional career internationally.
His journey is valuable because it shows that professional success is not always a straight line. For Forbes, the road to the NBA involved setbacks, international travel, development leagues, and years of continued work. That persistence became one of the defining features of his basketball story and remains the most interesting reason to look back at the career of Gary Forbes.
FAQs About G Forbes
Who Is G Forbes?
G Forbes is another way of referring to Gary Forbes, the Panamanian former professional basketball player. He played college basketball at Virginia and UMass and later played in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets and Toronto Raptors.
Where Was Gary Forbes Born?
Gary Forbes was born in Colón, Panama, on February 25, 1985. He later moved to Brooklyn, New York, with his mother and developed his basketball career there.
How Tall Is Gary Forbes?
Gary Forbes is listed at 201 centimeters, or 6 feet 7 inches, by FIBA. His size and versatility allowed him to play primarily as a wing player.
Was Gary Forbes Drafted Into The NBA?
No. Forbes went undrafted in the 2008 NBA Draft. He continued pursuing professional opportunities before eventually earning an NBA roster spot with the Denver Nuggets in 2010.
Which NBA Teams Did Gary Forbes Play For?
Forbes played for the Denver Nuggets and Toronto Raptors. His professional career also included extensive time in the NBA Development League and international leagues.
What Award Did Gary Forbes Win At UMass?
Forbes was named the 2007–08 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and earned First-Team All-Atlantic 10 honors. He finished the regular season averaging 20.3 points per game.
Did Gary Forbes Play For Panama?
Yes. Forbes represented Panama in several FIBA competitions. His national-team career included appearances in the 2007 and 2011 FIBA Americas Championships, the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup, and the 2019 World Cup Americas Qualifiers.
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