Jaden McDaniels (born September 3 2000) is an American professional basketball player who plays as a small forward/shooting guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Washington Huskies before being selected in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft.
Early life and education
McDaniels was born in Shawnee, Kansas. He attended Hillcrest High School in Kansas City, Missouri, before transferring to Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas, where he was recognized as a five‑star recruit by major scouting services.
College career
McDaniels enrolled at the University of Washington in 2018 and played one season (2018–19) with the Huskies. As a freshman, he averaged 11.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game and was named to the Pac‑12 All‑Freshman Team. He declared for the NBA draft after his freshman year.
Professional career
Minnesota Timberwolves (2020–present)
- Selected 28th overall in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- Signed a four‑year rookie contract on November 21 2020.
- Appeared in 70 games (12 starts) during the 2020‑21 rookie season, averaging 6.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game.
- Named to the NBA All‑Rookie Second Team in 2021.
- In the 2022‑23 season, he posted career‑high averages of 13.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.
National team experience
McDaniels represented the United States at the 2018 FIBA Under‑18 Americas Championship, where the team won the gold medal. He contributed 10.4 points per game and was named to the tournament All‑Star Five.
Playing style
McDaniels is noted for his versatility on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he is praised for his length (6 ft 7 in) and ability to guard multiple positions. Offensively, he combines perimeter shooting with the capacity to finish at the rim and create off‑ball movement.
Personal life
McDaniels' older brother, Jalen McDaniels, is also a professional basketball player who has competed in the NBA and overseas leagues.
Career statistics (NBA regular season, through the 2023‑24 season)
| Season | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020‑21 | Minnesota | 70 | 12 | 20.5 | .453 | .381 | .735 | 2.5 | .7 | .5 | .2 | 6.5 |
| 2021‑22 | Minnesota | 71 | 6 | 18.8 | .442 | .361 | .817 | 2.8 | .9 | .5 | .2 | 7.5 |
| 2022‑23 | Minnesota | 78 | 51 | 27.6 | .470 | .382 | .789 | 4.9 | 2.3 | .7 | .3 | 13.2 |
| 2023‑24 | Minnesota | 45* | 30 | 28.3 | .462 | .369 | .802 | 5.1 | 2.6 | .8 | .3 | 14.1 |
*Statistics are current as of the 2023‑24 regular season.
References
- NBA.com player profile: Jaden McDaniels.
- University of Washington Athletics, “Jaden McDaniels Bio”.
- FIBA Basketball, 2018 U‑18 Americas Championship records.
All information is based on publicly available sources up to June 2024.