Jaden McDaniels facts for kids
McDaniels with Washington in 2020
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| No. 3 – Minnesota Timberwolves | |
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| Small forward / power forward | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | September 29, 2000 Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| High school | Federal Way (Federal Way, Washington) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Washington (2019–2020) |
| NBA Draft | 2020 / Round: 1 / Pick: 28th overall |
| Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers | |
| Pro career | 2020–present |
| League | NBA |
| Career history | |
| 2020–present | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Jaden McDaniels (born September 29, 2000) is an American professional basketball player. He plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Jaden is known for playing as a Small forward or power forward.
Before joining the NBA, he played college basketball for the Washington Huskies. He was a top player in high school, earning honors like McDonald's All-American. Jaden is the younger brother of fellow basketball player Jalen McDaniels.
Contents
Jaden's Early Life and High School Basketball
Jaden McDaniels grew up playing basketball in Federal Way, Washington. In his first year of high school, he played alongside his older brother, Jalen. Together, they helped their team, Federal Way High School, win a state championship. Jaden's team had an amazing winning streak of 63 games. This was the longest streak in their state since 1977.
As a junior, Jaden led his team to a second-place finish at the state tournament. He was a star player, scoring about 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds per game. He also showed off his skills with assists and blocks. His great performance earned him a spot on the USA Today All-USA Washington first team.
In his senior year, Jaden had an incredible game where he scored 51 points. This broke his school's record for most points in a single game. He continued to play exceptionally well, averaging 23 points and 10 rebounds. He was named the Class 4A Player of the Year. Jaden also played in the famous McDonald's All-American Game. This game features the best high school players in the country.
By the time he finished high school, Jaden was considered one of the top basketball recruits. Many experts believed he was one of the best power forwards in his class. In May 2019, Jaden decided to play college basketball for the University of Washington.
College Basketball Career
When Jaden started college, some people thought he might be a top pick in the 2020 NBA draft. In his very first college game for Washington, he scored 18 points and had seven rebounds. He scored a season-high 22 points in another game.
As a freshman, Jaden averaged 13 points and almost 6 rebounds per game. He started most of the games he played. After his freshman year, he decided to enter the 2020 NBA draft to become a professional player.
Jaden's Professional NBA Career
Joining the Minnesota Timberwolves
In the 2020 NBA draft, Jaden McDaniels was chosen by the Los Angeles Lakers. He was the 28th player picked in the first round. Soon after, he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and then to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He officially joined the Timberwolves in December 2020.
Jaden made his NBA debut on December 27, 2020. He scored 6 points and grabbed 1 rebound in his first game.
In April 2023, Jaden injured his right hand after a game. In October 2023, he signed a big five-year contract extension with the Timberwolves. This showed how much the team believed in him.
During a game in November 2023, Jaden was involved in an incident on the court. He was ejected from the game and later fined.
Key Moments and Achievements
Jaden has shown his talent in important games. In April 2024, he scored 25 points in a playoff game against the Phoenix Suns. This was his highest score in a playoff game at that time. The Timberwolves won that series and moved on to the next round.
Jaden was recognized for his strong defense. He was named to the 2023-2024 NBA All-Defensive Second Team. This means he was one of the best defensive players in the entire NBA.
The 2024-25 season was a big one for Jaden's offense. On February 8, 2025, he scored a career-high 30 points against the Portland Trail Blazers. He also played a key role in a huge comeback win against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Timberwolves came back from 25 points down to win in overtime. Jaden scored 27 points in that exciting game. He started all 82 games for the Timberwolves that season. He averaged 12.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.
On April 25, 2025, Jaden scored another playoff career-high of 30 points. This happened in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Timberwolves won that series and advanced to the second round of the playoffs.
Personal Life
Jaden McDaniels comes from a basketball family. His older brother, Jalen McDaniels, also played high school basketball at Federal Way High School. Jalen was drafted into the NBA in 2019. Jaden's mother is a cousin of former NBA player Juwan Howard. Both of Jaden's parents, Will McDaniels and Angela Jackson, are from Chicago.
Images for kids
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Jaden McDaniels playing for the Washington Huskies in 2020.
See also
In Spanish: Jaden McDaniels para niños
