JaVale McGee is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Sacramento Kings. Drafted 18th overall in 2008 by the Washington Wizards after playing college basketball for the Nevada Wolf Pack, McGee has had a successful NBA career, winning three championships. He won back-to-back titles with the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018, and later secured a third championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. Following in the footsteps of his mother, Olympic gold medalist Pamela McGee, he also won gold with the U.S. Olympic team in 2020.
1983: Pamela McGee wins NCAA Championship
In 1983, JaVale McGee's mother, Pamela McGee, won her first NCAA Division I championship playing for the University of Southern California.
1984: Pamela McGee wins NCAA Championship and Olympic Gold Medal
In 1984, Pamela McGee won her second NCAA Division I championship and an Olympic gold medal.
1985: George Montgomery drafted to Portland Trail Blazers
In 1985, JaVale McGee's father, George Montgomery, was drafted in the second round by the Portland Trail Blazers, but he did not play for them.
January 19, 1988: Birth of JaVale McGee
JaVale McGee was born on January 19, 1988.
1997: Pamela McGee drafted to WNBA
In 1997, Pamela McGee was drafted into the WNBA by the Sacramento Monarchs.
March 23, 2001: Keon Clark's 12 Blocks
On March 23, 2001, Keon Clark recorded 12 blocks, a feat matched by JaVale McGee on March 15, 2011.
July 9, 2008: Signing with the Washington Wizards
On July 9, 2008, JaVale McGee signed a two-year contract with the Washington Wizards.
2008: College Career and Declaration for NBA Draft
In 2008, JaVale McGee played as the starting center for the University of Nevada and declared for the NBA Draft.
2009: Invited to U.S. national team mini-camp
In 2009, JaVale McGee was invited to the U.S. national team's mini-camp.
January 9, 2010: Fined by Wizards
On January 9, 2010, JaVale McGee was fined $10,000 by the Wizards for participating in Gilbert Arenas' pre-game antics.
August 15, 2010: Cut from Team USA
On August 15, 2010, despite playing in a scrimmage at Radio City Music Hall during the World Basketball Festival, JaVale McGee was cut from Team USA after an uneven performance in a scrimmage against China.
2010: Averaged Double Figures
JaVale McGee averaged over 10 points and 8 rebounds per game in the 2010-2011 season.
January 6, 2011: NBA Slam Dunk Contest
On January 6, 2011, JaVale McGee participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, finishing second.
March 15, 2011: First Career Triple-Double
On March 15, 2011, JaVale McGee recorded his first career triple-double against the Chicago Bulls.
2011: Visits Philippines, expresses interest in playing for national team
During the 2011 NBA lockout, JaVale McGee visited the Philippines twice, playing in exhibition games and running a basketball clinic. He expressed his interest in playing for the Philippine national team.
2011: Averaged Double Figures
JaVale McGee averaged over 10 points and 8 rebounds per game in the 2011-2012 season.
2011: NBA Lockout Incident
During the 2011 NBA lockout, JaVale McGee was involved in a controversy regarding comments he made about player unity during a meeting.
March 15, 2012: Trade to Denver Nuggets
On March 15, 2012, JaVale McGee was traded to the Denver Nuggets.
July 18, 2012: Re-signs with Nuggets
On July 18, 2012, JaVale McGee re-signed with the Denver Nuggets on a four-year contract.
2012: Bill filed for Filipino citizenship
In 2012, a bill was filed for JaVale McGee's Filipino citizenship to allow him to play for the Smart Gilas national team.
November 8, 2013: Injury: Stress Fracture
On November 8, 2013, JaVale McGee sustained a stress fracture in his left tibia.
2013: Started Juglife Foundation
In 2013, JaVale McGee started the Juglife Foundation to promote awareness about water and hydration. The foundation has partnered with Hope 4 Kids International to build wells in Uganda.
2013: Stars in reality show, "Mom's Got Game"
In 2013, it was announced that JaVale McGee would be starring in his own reality TV show, "Mom's Got Game," with his mother.
February 20, 2014: Surgery for Stress Fracture
On February 20, 2014, JaVale McGee underwent surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left tibia.
October 29, 2014: Returns to Play
On October 29, 2014, JaVale McGee returned to play for the Nuggets after recovering from a stress fracture.
2014: Considered for Gilas Pilipinas
In 2014, JaVale McGee was considered as a naturalized player for the Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Basketball World Cup, but Andray Blatche was selected instead.
February 19, 2015: Trade to Philadelphia 76ers
On February 19, 2015, JaVale McGee was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
August 13, 2015: Signs with Dallas Mavericks
On August 13, 2015, JaVale McGee signed with the Dallas Mavericks.
January 5, 2016: Season Highs with Mavericks
On January 5, 2016, JaVale McGee recorded season highs of 13 points and 11 rebounds against the Sacramento Kings while playing for the Dallas Mavericks.
July 8, 2016: Waived by Mavericks
On July 8, 2016, JaVale McGee was waived by the Dallas Mavericks.
September 16, 2016: Signs with Golden State Warriors
On September 16, 2016, JaVale McGee signed with the Golden State Warriors.
2016: Begins Transition to Veganism
JaVale McGee began to transition into a vegan diet after seeing the positive effects during the Warrior's championship season in 2016-17.
March 31, 2017: Strong Performance against Rockets
On March 31, 2017, JaVale McGee had a strong performance with 13 points and 5 blocked shots against the Houston Rockets.
August 1, 2017: Re-signs with Warriors
On August 1, 2017, JaVale McGee re-signed with the Golden State Warriors.
2017: Becomes a full-time vegan
In the summer of 2017, JaVale McGee fully committed to a vegan lifestyle after dabbling with the diet in previous years.
2017: First NBA Championship
JaVale McGee won his first NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2017.
June 2018: Second Championship with Warriors
In June 2018, JaVale McGee won his second championship with the Golden State Warriors.
July 10, 2018: Signs with Los Angeles Lakers
On July 10, 2018, JaVale McGee signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.
2018: Releases debut album
In 2018, under the moniker Pierre, JaVale McGee released his self-titled debut album.
2018: Second NBA Championship
JaVale McGee won his second consecutive NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2018.
March 22, 2019: Career Highs against Nets
On March 22, 2019, JaVale McGee recorded career-highs of 33 points and 20 rebounds against the Brooklyn Nets.
2019: 2019-20 Season with Lakers
During the 2019-20 season, JaVale McGee played 68 games for the Lakers, averaging 6.6 points and 5.7 rebounds.
November 23, 2020: Traded to Cleveland Cavaliers
On November 23, 2020, JaVale McGee was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Alfonzo McKinnie and Jordan Bell.
2020: Named as replacement for 2020 U.S. Olympic Team
In 2020, JaVale McGee and Keldon Johnson were announced as replacements for Bradley Beal and Kevin Love on the U.S. Olympic team.
2020: Co-produces "Available" on Justin Bieber's album
In 2020, JaVale McGee co-produced Justin Bieber's song "Available" with Poo Bear and Sasha Sirota for Bieber's album, Changes.
2020: Third NBA Championship and Olympic Gold Medal
In 2020, JaVale McGee won his third NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers and a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team.
2020: Third NBA Championship
JaVale McGee won his third NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
March 25, 2021: Traded to Denver Nuggets
On March 25, 2021, JaVale McGee was traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Denver Nuggets for Isaiah Hartenstein and two future second-round picks.
August 7, 2021: Wins Olympic Gold Medal
On August 7, 2021, JaVale McGee won an Olympic gold medal with the United States, making him and his mother, Pamela McGee, the first mother-son duo to win Olympic gold medals.
August 16, 2021: Signed with Phoenix Suns
On August 16, 2021, JaVale McGee signed with the Phoenix Suns.
July 9, 2022: Signed with Dallas Mavericks
On July 9, 2022, JaVale McGee signed with the Dallas Mavericks.
August 29, 2023: Waived by Dallas Mavericks
On August 29, 2023, JaVale McGee was waived by the Dallas Mavericks.
September 2, 2023: Signed with Sacramento Kings
On September 2, 2023, JaVale McGee signed with the Sacramento Kings, matching his mother's record of playing for professional teams in Dallas, Los Angeles, and Sacramento.