While we all tune in to NBA games to watch superstars play, no team can win without role players. Those hard-working guys who work in the shadows and put their bodies on the line to help their team thrive are often the difference between a first-round exit and winning an NBA championship.
And, throughout the years, JaVale McGee has established himself as one of the most reliable role players in the league. As a long, athletic center, Javale has been key in multiple matchups over the last five years or so. And here, we’ll let you know how he went from nearly being out of the league to join the starting lineup on multiple championship squads.
Now playing for the Phoenix Suns, JaVale McGee has sure made his name in the league, not because of his antics and erratic plays like in his early days but because of his steady contributions on both sides of the game. With that in mind, let’s talk about JaVale McGee and his journey from Flint, Michigan to Phoenix.
JaVale McGee – Early Years
Long before being drafted or even setting foot on an NBA hardwood, JaVale McGee had already a strong link with the sports industry. His mother, Pamela McGee, was an Olympic gold medal and considered to be one of the best players in WNBA history. Also, he was a legend at USC, helping them win a couple of National Championships.
Born in Flint, Michigan McGee looked forward to following his mother’s steps in local high school teams, attending Country Day School and Providence Christian before moving to Chicago to attend Hales Franciscan High School. There, he’d thrive as a combo forward before eventually transitioning to center.
JaVale McGee – College
McGee committed to play for the Nevada Wolfpack in 2007. He played 33 games in his rookie season but came off the bench in all of those games, barely averaging 10.0 minutes a night to go along with 3.3 points and 2.2 rebounds. He then broke out as a sophomore, starting 31 out of 33 games with averages of 14.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game on 52.9% shooting.
JaVale McGee – 2008 NBA Draft
His physical tools and privileged gene pool made McGee an intriguing choice for NBA scouts, which is why he decided to forgo his final two years of college eligibility to declare for the NBA Draft. He was drafted 18th overall by the Wizards, signing a two-year deal worth roughly $2.4 million.
JaVale McGee – The Washington Wizards
While he showed glimpses of greatness in college, it took a while before JaVale McGee could establish himself as a reliable contributor for the Wizards. It wasn’t until his third season in the league that he became a starter, averaging 10.1 points to go along with eight rebounds and over two blocks per game. During that 2010-11 season, he came in second in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, losing to Blake Griffin despite setting the Guinness World Record by dunking three basketballs in a single jump.
Averaging double figures for the first time in his career, JaVale McGee looked poised for a breakout season, getting his first career triple-double with 11 points, 12 boards, and a whopping 12 boards. That day, however, people criticized him for stat-padding and taking terrible shots during a blowout loss and even getting T’d up for celebrating after a dunk when he reached double-digit points, with NBA legend Kevin McHale stating that it was a “bad triple-double.”
McGee’s Wizards’ tenure was full of erratic play and inconsistency, and it seemed like he wasn’t mature enough to scratch the surface of his potential and make the most of his athletic traits. He came back in 2011-12 and nearly averaged a double-double with 11.9 points and a career-best 8.8 rebounds, but was eventually traded to the Nuggets.
JaVale McGee – The Denver Nuggets
McGee quickly took a step back in Denver. He started just 5 of the 20 games he was featured in his first campaign with the team, with his playing time taking a massive dip as well. Despite playing on a diminished role in the second half of the year, McGee’s contributions helped the Nuggets reach the playoffs for the first time in his career.
Next season, he made 79 appearances (all off the bench) and averaged roughly 18 minutes a game as their backup center. JaVale didn’t enjoy much playing time in the following two seasons, making just 5 appearances in the 2013-14 season due to a stress fracture in his left tibia that eventually led to another trade.
JaVale McGee – Bouncing Around The League
McGee was traded away again in 2015. He joined the Philadelphia 76ers for the rights to Cenk Akyol. But after making just six appearances for them, the Sixers waived him. He later signed with the Dallas Mavericks but missed the start of the season with an injury. He made his Mavericks debut with six rebounds and 8 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder and that was pretty much the highlight of his campaign before being waived again.
JaVale McGee – Golden State Warriors
Just when it seemed like McGee will never catch a break again after injuries and a stained reputation, Steve Kerr reached out to him as he needed an interior presence and a big man to help his team.
He joined the Warriors for the 2016-17 regular season, breaking out during the second half of the year and helping them win the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He averaged 6.1 points and nearly one block per game on limited minutes but had finally redeemed himself and proved his value.
McGee stood with the Bay area team for another year, once again helping them win against the LeBron James-led Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. Ironically, JaVale McGee’s presence was all one of the most stacked teams in NBA history needed to finally reach a whole new level.
JaVale McGee – Los Angeles Lakers
Following his successful stint with the Warriors and proving that his game could help contenders, McGee actually drew plenty of interest in free agency. Eventually, he decided to join another championship contender squad in the Los Angeles Lakers, staying there from 2018 to 2020 when he helped them win the NBA championship in the Orlando bubble. Once one of the most pointed-at players in the game, JaVale McGee was now a three-time NBA champion.
JaVale McGee – Phoenix Suns
The Lakers went through a bit of a roster overhaul in late 2020, leading McGee to another trade. This time, the veteran big man was sent to the Cavaliers in return for Jordan Bell and Alonzo McKinnie but he barely played with the young, up-and-coming Cavs. He was later traded again to the Nuggets in return for Isaiah Harstentein and two future second-round picks but he only made 13 appearances with them.
McGee then joined the Phoenix Suns to back up the often-injured Deandre Ayton. Taking over Frank Kaminsky and Jalen Smith for minutes and playing next to Devin Booker, Chris Paul, Jae Crowder, and Cam Johnson, McGee’s energy and wingspan helped Pheonix boast one of the best interior defenses in the league, often drawing praise from head coach Monty Williams.
Despite missing some time after entering the league’s health and safety protocols, and even after Deandre Ayton came back from his injury, McGee has still had a big role for the Phoenix Suns, helping them get the best record in the league for the second year in a row.
Now, the Phoenix Suns will hope that his veteran leadership and mentorship over Deandre Ayton can help them get over the hump and finish the job they couldn’t do last year to win their very first NBA championship. McGee may not be as young as Jalen Smith, nor as offensively gifted as Ayton, but his ability to alter shots and dominate both sides of the glass sure helps Phoenix’s game night in and night out.
JaVale McGee – Awards And Accolades
As you may know by now, JaVale McGee isn’t exactly the most accomplished player in the NBA, nor an Associated Press favorite. Even so, he’s played a huge role both as the starting center and on a reserve role to win 3 NBA championships, as well as the gold medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. He’s had a better career than most of the players who made fun of him.
JaVale McGee – Shaqtin A’ Fool Awards
But besides all the things he’s accomplished throughout his career, McGee was also the most famous contender on Sunday’s contest: Shaquille O’Neal’s award show ‘Shaqtin A’ Fool’. The award mocked the worst and most head-scratching plays of the week, with McGee earning MVP honors twice.
Shaq made a living out of making fun of McGee on a weekly basis, eventually leading to a bit of a feud between the two. McGee claimed that Shaq’s words played a big role in how his career turned out before getting another chance with the Warriors, as he drew a reputation for not being the smartest player in the league. Eventually, Shaq stopped even mentioning McGee’s name after McGee made it clear that he wasn’t afraid of him at all.
What was JaVale McGee GPA?
JaVale McGee moved to Chicago for his senior year of high school and graduated from Hales Franciscan High School with honors, achieving a 4.5 GPA.
Who did the Cavs trade for JaVale McGee?
The Cleveland Cavaliers have traded forwards Alfonzo McKinnie and Jordan Bell to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for center JaVale McGee and a 2026 second-round draft pick.
Where did JaVale McGee start his NBA career?
He played college basketball for the Nevada Wolf Pack and was selected 18th overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2008 NBA draft. He is a three-time NBA champion, having won consecutive titles with the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018 before winning a third title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
