JaVale McGee

JaVale McGee is a professional basketball player from the United States who currently plays for the Sacramento Kings in the National Basketball Association. He is a three-time NBA Champion, winning in 2017, 2018, and 2020.

In 2020, he was part of the US National Team that won gold at the Olympics.

Player Profile and Personal Life

JaVale Lindy McGee was born in Flint, Michigan, U.S. on January 19, 1988. He stands 213 cm tall and his weight was last listed at 122 kg. He plays center. He also shoots right.

His mother is Pamela McGee, a former professional basketball player, Olympic gold medalist, and Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer.

High School and College Career

McGee attended a couple of different high schools including Detroit Country Day High School in Beverly Hills, Michigan, Providence Christian High School in Fremont, Michigan, and Hales Franciscan in Chicago, Illinois.

He later attended the University of Nevada from 2006 to 2008.

Professional Career

During the 2008 NBA Draft, he was chosen by the Washington Wizards in the 1st round. He was the 18th pick and overall 18th pick. On 9th July 2008, he signed a 2.4 million USD deal for 2 years with the Wizards.

McGee was traded to the Denver Nuggets on March 15, 2012. His playing time was reduced during the regular season but he went on to appear in the first playoff of his career – the 2012 NBA Playoffs. The Nuggets re-signed McGee in the next season, but he was sidelined during most of the 2013 to 2014 Season due to surgery of the left tibia.

He was traded again to the Philadelphia 76ers on February 19, 2015. After six games, he was waived by the 76ers and McGee transferred to the Dallas Mavericks on August 13, 2015. During the 2015 to 2016 Season, he was unable to play for 13 games due to a fractured left tibia.

McGee was waived by the Mavericks and was signed with the Golden State Warriors on September 16, 2016. He had a good run on-court upon his return, the Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the 2017 NBA Finals. In the final three games of the NBA championship series, he was a starting player and the Warriors won their second consecutive NBA championship.

McGee transferred to the Los Angeles Lakers on July 10, 2018. He won his third NBA Championship title with the Lakers in 2020. Also in 2020, he won an Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

In September 2023, McGee signed with the Sacramento Kings. As of the end of the 2023-24 season, he remains with the Kings.

Career Highlights

• 2020, 2018, 2017 - NBA Champion

Medal Record, Men's basketball, Representing the United States

• Gold - 2020 Olympic Games Tokyo