JaVale McGee
Encyclopedia
JaVale McGee is an American
professional basketball
player who was selected 18th overall by the Washington Wizards
in the 2008 NBA Draft
. He is a center
who is listed at 7'0" and 252 lb. On July 9, 2008, he signed a two-year, $2.4 million deal with the Wizards.
, Michigan
, and attended two high schools in Michigan: Detroit Country Day and Providence Christian, before transferring to Hales Franciscan High School
in Chicago
. McGee was the starting center for the University of Nevada, Reno
. According to Hales Franciscan coach Gary London, McGee's natural position in college was ideally small forward
, and that he could play both forward spots. After his sophomore campaign, in which he averaged 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds, shooting 53 percent from the field and 33 percent from three-point range, McGee decided to hire an agent and declare for the 2008 NBA Draft.
' antics before a game on January 5, 2010 against the Philadelphia 76ers
. Arenas was being investigated for a prior incident involving guns in the Wizards' locker room, but made light of the accusations by pointing his finger at his teammates, as if he were shooting them. His teammates were photographed smiling and laughing with him.
On January 6, 2011, McGee was chosen to participate in the 2011 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. McGee was the first Wizard to ever participate in the contest. He finished in second place, losing to Blake Griffin. He was the first player to use three balls at one time in a dunk contest, which was later cited by the Guinness World Records
as the most number of basketballs dunked in a single jump. The third ball was passed to him from teammate John Wall
.
On March 15, 2011, in a 98–79 loss against the Chicago Bulls
, McGee notched his first career triple-double, recording 11 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 blocks. His career high 12 blocks is the most since Keon Clark
had 12 on March 23, 2001. However, he was criticized for taking ill-advised shots in the fourth quarter to ensure he reached 10 points while his team was being blown out, and even received a technical foul for excessive celebration by pulling himself on the rim after a dunk for his final points. In response to the criticism, McGee said, "I got a triple-double. Who can say they got a triple-double? I’m not really worried about it."
during the 2010 World Basketball Festival but after an uneven performance he did not play in the team's scrimmage against China at Madison Square Garden
and was cut on August 15, 2010.
, was a 1985 second-round draft
selection by the Portland Trail Blazers
. Also his mother, Pamela McGee
, was a USC standout and WNBA
star for the Los Angeles Sparks
and Sacramento Monarchs
. McGee is the first son of a WNBA player to ever play in the NBA
.
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Washington
| 75 || 14 || 15.2 || .494 || .000 || .660 || 3.9 || .3 || .4 || 1.0 || 6.5
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
| align="left" | Washington
| 60 || 19 || 16.1 || .508 || .000 || .638 || 4.0 || .2 || .3 || 1.7 || 6.4
|-
| align="left" | 2010-11
| align="left" | Washington
| 79 || 75 || 27.8 || .550 || .000 || .583 || 8.0 || .5 || .5 || 2.4 || 10.1
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 214 || 108 || 20.1 || .523 || .000 || .620 || 5.5 || .4 || .4 || 1.7 || 7.8
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player who was selected 18th overall by the Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
in the 2008 NBA Draft
2008 NBA Draft
The 2008 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2008 at the Washington Mutual Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, including...
. He is a center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
who is listed at 7'0" and 252 lb. On July 9, 2008, he signed a two-year, $2.4 million deal with the Wizards.
High school and college
McGee was born in FlintFlint, Michigan
Flint is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is located along the Flint River, northwest of Detroit. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the 2010 population to be placed at 102,434, making Flint the seventh largest city in Michigan. It is the county seat of Genesee County which lies in the...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, and attended two high schools in Michigan: Detroit Country Day and Providence Christian, before transferring to Hales Franciscan High School
Hales Franciscan High School
Hales Franciscan High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago.-Background:...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. McGee was the starting center for the University of Nevada, Reno
University of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno , is a teaching and research university established in 1874 and located in Reno, Nevada, USA...
. According to Hales Franciscan coach Gary London, McGee's natural position in college was ideally small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
, and that he could play both forward spots. After his sophomore campaign, in which he averaged 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds, shooting 53 percent from the field and 33 percent from three-point range, McGee decided to hire an agent and declare for the 2008 NBA Draft.
NBA
On January 9, 2010, McGee was fined $10,000 by the Washington Wizards for participating in Gilbert ArenasGilbert Arenas
Gilbert Jay Arenas, Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association . He plays as a point guard and shooting guard....
' antics before a game on January 5, 2010 against the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
. Arenas was being investigated for a prior incident involving guns in the Wizards' locker room, but made light of the accusations by pointing his finger at his teammates, as if he were shooting them. His teammates were photographed smiling and laughing with him.
On January 6, 2011, McGee was chosen to participate in the 2011 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. McGee was the first Wizard to ever participate in the contest. He finished in second place, losing to Blake Griffin. He was the first player to use three balls at one time in a dunk contest, which was later cited by the Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records , is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world...
as the most number of basketballs dunked in a single jump. The third ball was passed to him from teammate John Wall
John Wall (basketball)
Johnathan Hildred Wall, Jr. is an American basketball player with the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association. Wall was chosen first overall in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Wizards...
.
On March 15, 2011, in a 98–79 loss against the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
, McGee notched his first career triple-double, recording 11 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 blocks. His career high 12 blocks is the most since Keon Clark
Keon Clark
Arian Keon Clark is a former American National Basketball Association player.After a collegiate career at two different junior colleges and UNLV, Clark was selected 13th overall by the Orlando Magic in the 1998 NBA Draft but was traded to the Denver Nuggets...
had 12 on March 23, 2001. However, he was criticized for taking ill-advised shots in the fourth quarter to ensure he reached 10 points while his team was being blown out, and even received a technical foul for excessive celebration by pulling himself on the rim after a dunk for his final points. In response to the criticism, McGee said, "I got a triple-double. Who can say they got a triple-double? I’m not really worried about it."
Team USA
McGee received an invite to the United States men's national basketball team's mini camp in the summer of 2009 and again in the summer of 2010. McGee played with Team USA in a scrimmage at Radio City Music HallRadio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue located in New York City's Rockefeller Center. Its nickname is the Showplace of the Nation, and it was for a time the leading tourist destination in the city...
during the 2010 World Basketball Festival but after an uneven performance he did not play in the team's scrimmage against China at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
and was cut on August 15, 2010.
Personal
His father, 6'10" George MontgomeryGeorge Montgomery (basketball)
George Montgomery is a retired American basketball player. He played basketball at Illinois, and was a second-round draft selection of the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1985 NBA Draft, though he never played in the NBA. He is the father of current Washington Wizards center JaVale McGee.-References:...
, was a 1985 second-round draft
1985 NBA Draft
The 1985 NBA Draft took place on June 18, 1985. It was also the first NBA Draft of the "Lottery" era. A total of 162 players were selected over 7 rounds by the league's 23 teams. The New York Knicks were awarded the first overall pick, by winning the first-ever NBA Draft Lottery, which was held...
selection by the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
. Also his mother, Pamela McGee
Pamela McGee
Pamela McGee is a former WNBA player and assistant coach. At age 34, Pamela was the second overall pick in the 1997 WNBA Draft. She played in the league for two seasons with the Sacramento Monarchs and Los Angeles Sparks....
, was a USC standout and WNBA
Women's National Basketball Association
The Women's National Basketball Association is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It currently is composed of twelve teams. The league was founded on April 24, 1996 as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association...
star for the Los Angeles Sparks
Los Angeles Sparks
The Los Angeles Sparks is a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the league's inaugural 1997 season began...
and Sacramento Monarchs
Sacramento Monarchs
The Sacramento Monarchs were a basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 until folding on November 20, 2009...
. McGee is the first son of a WNBA player to ever play in the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left" | Washington
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
| 75 || 14 || 15.2 || .494 || .000 || .660 || 3.9 || .3 || .4 || 1.0 || 6.5
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
2009–10 NBA season
The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010....
| align="left" | Washington
| 60 || 19 || 16.1 || .508 || .000 || .638 || 4.0 || .2 || .3 || 1.7 || 6.4
|-
| align="left" | 2010-11
| align="left" | Washington
| 79 || 75 || 27.8 || .550 || .000 || .583 || 8.0 || .5 || .5 || 2.4 || 10.1
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 214 || 108 || 20.1 || .523 || .000 || .620 || 5.5 || .4 || .4 || 1.7 || 7.8