Jalen McDaniels

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Born in Seattle, Washington but a native of Federal Way, Washington, McDaniels attended Federal Way High School, where he also played football. He was ranked as the 98th best prospect in the class of 2016 heading into his senior season. He was named an Associated Press Washington state Class 4A first-team selection after averaging 19 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots in his senior season. Federal Way finished the season undefeated with a record of 29-0 and won the Class 4A state championship. McDaniels red-shirted the 2016–2017 season at San Diego State. On February 19, 2018, he was named the Mountain West player of the week. In his freshman season he averaged 10.5 points in 24.7 minutes per game, starting 21 out of 33 games. In March 2018, McDaniels submitted paperwork for early entry into the 2018 NBA draft but had yet to hire an agent. In May, he worked out for the Cleveland Cavaliers. On May 30, McDaniels officially withdrew his name from the NBA draft and returned to SDSU less than 90 minutes before the deadline. As a sophomore, McDaniels averaged 15.9 points per game and led the team in rebounding with 8.3 rebounds per game. In March 2019, he declared for the 2019 NBA draft. McDaniels was one of 66 players invited to the NBA Draft Combine. He was selected with the 52nd overall draft pick by the Charlotte Hornets. On October 10, 2019, he signed with the Hornets. On October 19, the contract was converted to a two-way contract, and the next day, he signed a multi-year contract with the Hornets. On October 25, 2019, McDaniels made his NBA debut, coming off the bench in a 99–121 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves with two points and a rebound. He was assigned to the Greensboro Swarm for the start of the G League season. On March 9, 2020, McDaniels scored a season-high 11 points in a 138–143 double overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks. On April 7, 2021, he recorded a season-high 21 points in a 113–102 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. On October 27, 2021, he scored a season-high 16 points in a 120–111 win over the Orlando Magic. On December 27, he again scored 16 points in a 123–99 win over the Houston Rockets. On January 16, 2023, McDaniels scored a career-high 26 points in a 118–130 loss to the Boston Celtics. On February 9, 2023, McDaniels was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in a four-team trade. On February 11, he made his 76ers debut, putting

In Their Own Story

The arena hummed with a low, electric tension as the fourth quarter wound down. The opposing star, a league-leading scorer, drove hard into the paint, looking to create his own shot. Suddenly, Jalen McDaniels was there—a blur of purple and gold, extending an arm that seemed to grow longer in those critical moments. He didn't foul; he simply contested, forcing a difficult, contested jumper that clanged off the rim. Rebounding the ball, McDaniels pushed it upcourt with purpose, his eyes scanning for the open teammate, embodying the relentless pace that defines Sacramento basketball.

Reader's Guide

Jalen McDaniels is a forward who played college basketball at San Diego State University. He was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in 2019 and later played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, and Washington Wizards. He was traded to the Sacramento Kings in 2024 but was traded to the San Antonio Spurs and waived before the regular season. He currently plays for the Kobe Storks in Japan.

Did You Know?

• McDaniels was the 98th best prospect in the class of 2016 heading into his senior season at Federal Way High School.
• He red-shirted the 2016–2017 season at San Diego State.
• McDaniels was selected with the 52nd overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets.
• He scored a career-high 26 points on January 16, 2023, in a loss to the Boston Celtics.
• McDaniels was traded to the Sacramento Kings on June 28, 2024, but was traded to the San Antonio Spurs and waived on October 16, 2024.