Jason Caffey

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Caffey was born in Mobile, Alabama and played basketball at Davidson High School, where he earned 1st team All State in Class 6A and was named Gatorade's choice for state Player Of The Year. The 6'8" power forward went on to play 4 years at the University of Alabama under coach Wimp Sanderson, and was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 20th pick of the 1995 NBA draft. He averaged 7.3 points per game during the Bulls' second consecutive championship run in 1996–97. He started 5 playoff games this year, making him one of eleven Chicago Bulls players to start a playoff game amid their championship runs. Before Caffey could win a third NBA championship with the Bulls, he was traded to the Golden State Warriors on February 19, 1998, in exchange for David Vaughn and two second round draft picks. This transaction was not well received by some of the Bulls' top players, with Michael Jordan stating that "Every time I've seen him (David Vaughn), he's never been in uniform. I think that says a lot," and Dennis Rodman calling it a "dumb" move. Before the beginning of the 1998-99 NBA season, Caffey re-signed with the Warriors on a 7-year, $35 million contract. He averaged career highs of 12.0 points and 6.8 rebounds during the 1999–2000 season with the Warriors. Caffey joined the Milwaukee Bucks on June 27, 2000, with whom he played three more seasons before his career fizzled out amidst a series of personal problems, including an anxiety attack in 2002 and an assault charge in 2003. The Bucks bought out the remaining two seasons ($11.8 million) of his contract before the 2003–04 season started. On June 18, 2010, Caffey was named head coach of the American Basketball Association expansion team, the Mobile Bay Hurricanes.

In Their Own Story

The trade on February 19, 1998, marked a pivotal turning point for Caffey and the Bulls organization. In exchange for David Vaughn and two second-round picks, the franchise parted ways with a player who had contributed to their back-to-back titles. The move was not well-received by key figures; Michael Jordan famously remarked that Vaughn "never been in uniform," suggesting the return was lackluster, while Dennis Rodman labeled the transaction "dumb." Despite this turbulent exit from Chicago, Caffey found immediate financial success with the Golden State Warriors, securing a 7-year, $35 million deal. His peak performance came during the 1999–2000 season, where he posted career highs of 12.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, proving his value before his path led to Milwaukee in June 2000.

Reader's Guide

Caffey announced in July 2021 that he would run for the city council district 2 seat in Mobile, Alabama. On May 25, 2010, Caffey was arrested and charged with third-degree domestic violence in Mobile, Alabama for hitting and kicking a woman. Caffey has fathered 10 children with 8 mothers and has been sued in multiple child support lawsuits. Caffrey is the cousin of professional wrestler Tiana Caffey, better known as Jaida Parker in NXT.

Did You Know?

• Caffey averaged 7.3 points per game during the Bulls' 1996–97 championship run.
• He started 5 playoff games in 1996–97, making him one of eleven Bulls players to start a playoff game during their title runs.
• He was traded to the Golden State Warriors on February 19, 1998, for David Vaughn and two second-round draft picks.
• He joined the Milwaukee Bucks on June 27, 2000.
• He was named head coach of the Mobile Bay Hurricanes on June 18, 2010.