JaVale Lindy McGee (born January 19, 1988) is an American professional basketball player. He currently plays for the Vaqueros de Bayamón in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) league. Before that, he played college basketball for the Nevada Wolf Pack.

JaVale was picked 18th overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2008 NBA draft. He is a three-time NBA champion. He won two titles with the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018. Then, he won a third title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. JaVale also won a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team in 2021. His mother, Pamela McGee, is also an Olympic gold medalist in basketball.

Early Life and College Basketball

JaVale McGee was born in Flint, Michigan. He went to high school in Michigan and later in Chicago, Illinois. His coaches thought he was a versatile player. He could play different positions on the basketball court.

McGee became the starting center for the University of Nevada. In his second year, he averaged 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. After this great season, he decided to enter the 2008 NBA draft.

Playing in the NBA

Washington Wizards (2008–2012)

The Washington Wizards chose JaVale McGee as the 18th pick in the 2008 NBA draft. He signed a two-year contract with the team in July 2008.

McGee playing in 2010

In January 2011, McGee was chosen for the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. He was the first player from the Wizards to be in this contest. JaVale finished in second place. He was also the first player to use three basketballs in one dunk. His teammate John Wall helped him with the third ball.

On March 15, 2011, McGee achieved his first career triple-double. He scored 11 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and blocked 12 shots. This was a big achievement for him.

Denver Nuggets (2012–2015)

On March 15, 2012, McGee was traded to the Denver Nuggets. He made his first playoff appearance with the Nuggets in 2012. He had a great game against the Los Angeles Lakers, scoring 21 points.

In July 2012, McGee signed a new four-year contract with the Nuggets. Unfortunately, his 2013–14 season ended early due to an injury. He had surgery on his left leg.

Philadelphia 76ers (2015)

In February 2015, McGee was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. He played in six games for them before being waived in March.

Dallas Mavericks (2015–2016)

McGee joined the Dallas Mavericks in August 2015. He missed the start of the season because of his leg injury. He made his debut in November 2015. In January 2016, he had a season-high 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Golden State Warriors (2016–2018)

In September 2016, McGee signed with the Golden State Warriors. He had a strong season, scoring a season-high 17 points in December. The Warriors went on to win the 2017 NBA Finals in five games. This was JaVale's first NBA championship.

In August 2017, McGee re-signed with the Warriors. He helped the team win their second straight championship in June 2018. They swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.

Los Angeles Lakers (2018–2020)

McGee signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in July 2018. He had an amazing game on March 22, 2019. He scored a career-high 33 points, grabbed 20 rebounds, and blocked six shots.

In the 2019–20 season, McGee played in 68 games for the Lakers. He helped them win his third NBA championship in 2020.

Cleveland Cavaliers (2020–2021)

In November 2020, McGee was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He made his debut for the team in December, scoring 13 points.

Return to Denver (2021)

McGee was traded back to the Denver Nuggets in March 2021.

Phoenix Suns (2021–2022)

In August 2021, McGee signed with the Phoenix Suns.

Return to Dallas (2022–2023)

McGee returned to the Dallas Mavericks in July 2022. He was later waived by the team in August 2023.

Sacramento Kings (2023–2024)

In September 2023, McGee signed with the Sacramento Kings. By playing for the Kings, he and his mother, Pamela, became the first mother and son to play for professional basketball teams in Dallas, Los Angeles, and Sacramento.

Vaqueros de Bayamón (2025–present)

On January 31, 2025, McGee signed with Vaqueros de Bayamón of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional.

Career Statistics

Legend
GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field goal percentage	3P%	3-point field goal percentage	FT%	Free throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high

NBA

Regular season

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2008–09	Washington	75	14	15.2	.494	—	.660	3.9	.3	.4	1.0	6.5
2009–10	Washington	60	19	16.1	.508	.000	.638	4.0	.2	.3	1.7	6.4
2010–11	Washington	79	75	27.8	.550	.000	.583	8.0	.5	.5	2.4	10.1
2011–12	Washington	41	40	27.4	.535	—	.500	8.8	.6	.6	2.5	11.9
2011–12	Denver	20	5	20.5	.612	—	.373	5.8	.3	.5	1.6	10.3
2012–13	Denver	79	0	18.1	.575	1.000	.591	4.8	.3	.4	2.0	9.1
2013–14	Denver	5	5	15.9	.447	—	1.000	3.4	.4	.2	1.4	7.0
2014–15	Denver	17	0	11.4	.557	—	.690	2.8	.1	.1	1.1	5.2
2014–15	Philadelphia	6	0	10.2	.444	—	.500	2.2	.3	.0	.2	3.0
2015–16	Dallas	34	2	10.9	.575	.000	.500	3.9	.1	.1	.8	5.1
2016–17	Golden State	77	10	9.6	.652	.000	.505	3.2	.2	.2	.9	6.1
2017–18	Golden State	65	17	9.5	.621	.000	.731	2.6	.5	.3	.9	4.8
2018–19	L.A. Lakers	75	62	22.3	.624	.083	.634	7.5	.7	.6	2.0	12.0
2019–20	L.A. Lakers	68	68	16.6	.637	.500	.646	5.7	.5	.5	1.4	6.6
2020–21	Cleveland	33	1	15.2	.521	.250	.655	5.2	1.0	.5	1.2	8.0
2020–21	Denver	13	1	13.5	.478	.000	.667	5.3	.5	.2	1.1	5.5
2021–22	Phoenix	74	17	15.8	.629	.222	.699	6.7	.6	.3	1.1	9.2
2022–23	Dallas	42	7	8.4	.640	.400	.585	2.5	.3	.1	.6	4.4
2023–24	Sacramento	46	0	7.4	.598	.143	.578	2.7	.4	.3	.4	4.0
Career		909	343	16.1	.578	.192	.604	5.0	.4	.4	1.4	7.6

Playoffs

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2012	Denver	7	0	25.9	.434	—	.538	9.6	.7	.7	3.1	8.6
2013	Denver	6	2	18.7	.581	—	.389	5.2	.0	.7	1.0	7.2
2016	Dallas	2	0	7.0	.500	—	.333	1.5	.0	.5	.0	2.0
2017	Golden State	16	1	9.3	.732	—	.722	3.0	.3	.1	.9	5.9
2018	Golden State	13	9	12.2	.672	.000	.684	3.2	.3	.2	1.3	6.5
2020	L.A. Lakers	14	11	9.6	.625	.000	.500	3.1	.5	.1	.7	2.9
2021	Denver	4	0	8.5	.300	.000	.333	3.0	.8	.3	1.3	2.0
2022	Phoenix	12	0	11.1	.700	.000	.846	4.0	.6	.3	.4	6.8
Career		74	23	12.4	.616	.000	.571	4.0	.4	.3	1.0	5.6

College

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2006–07	Nevada	33	0	10.0	.600	.667	.471	2.2	.1	.2	.9	3.3
2007–08	Nevada	33	31	27.3	.529	.333	.525	7.3	.6	.8	2.8	14.1
Career		66	31	18.7	.542	.356	.514	4.8	.3	.5	1.8	8.7

Playing for Team USA

McGee playing for Team USA in 2009

JaVale McGee was invited to try out for the U.S. national team in 2009 and 2010. He played in a scrimmage game in 2010. However, he did not make the final team that year.

In 2021, McGee was chosen to join the 2020 U.S. Olympic team. He won an Olympic gold medal when the United States beat France in the final game. With this medal, JaVale and his mother, Pamela McGee, made history. They became the first mother and son to both win gold medals in Olympic basketball.

Giving Back: Juglife Foundation

In 2013, JaVale McGee started his own organization called Juglife Foundation. This group helps people understand how important it is to drink water and stay hydrated. He has hosted fun celebrity softball games to raise awareness. Juglife has also worked with Hope 4 Kids International to build water wells in Uganda.

JaVale's Family and Other Interests

JaVale comes from a family of basketball players. His father, George Montgomery, was also a basketball player. His mother, Pamela McGee, was a college basketball star and an Olympic gold medalist. She also played in the WNBA. JaVale is the first son of a WNBA player to play in the NBA. His younger half-sister, Imani McGee-Stafford, is also a professional basketball player.

In 2013, it was announced that McGee would star in a reality TV show with his mother called Mom's Got Game. JaVale is known for his very long armspan, which is great for blocking shots in basketball. He has also been featured on a fun segment called "Shaqtin' a Fool" on the show Inside the NBA.

JaVale McGee became a full-time vegan in 2017. He had tried the diet before to help him stay in shape. He decided to stick with it after seeing how well his body felt during the Warriors' championship season.

Besides basketball, JaVale is also a record producer. He goes by the name Pierre. He has his own music studio. In 2018, he released his first album. In 2020, he even helped produce a song called "Available" for Justin Bieber's album, Changes.

Images for kids

McGee playing in 2010
McGee playing for Team USA in 2009

JaVale McGee facts for kids

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