Jaden McDonald is a basketball forward who plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves as of May 2025. The Los Angeles Lakers originally drafted him as the 28th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. However, he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves. In October 2023, he signed a five-year contract extension with the team, worth $131 million. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2024.
The Washington native, McDaniels, was born on September 29, 2000. He went to Federal Way High School and played in the McDonald's All-American game in his senior year. Upon graduating from the 2019 class, he was ranked in the top 10 players and was regarded as the best power forward by Rivals and ESPN. As a five-star recruit, he opted for the University of Washington; however, he played for only one season with the Huskies. He played in 31 games, starting 21, averaging 13.0 points, 2.1 assists and 5.8 rebounds.
What is Jaden McDaniels' nationality?
Jaden McDaniels is of American nationality. He was born in Seattle and raised in Federal Way, Washington, U.S.
Jaden McDaniels' Hometown
Jaden McDaniels is from Federal Way, Washington, in the U.S. Alongside his older brother Jalen, he was a freshman on the basketball team at Federal Way High School, which helped them win the Class 4a state championship for the second consecutive year. On the varsity team, he averaged 2.4 points and 1.8 rebounds per game, but a right elbow injury required him to shoot with his left hand. He assisted the team in winning 63 straight games in his first two years, which was the greatest winning streak in state history since 1977.
McDaniels led Federal Way to second place in the 4a state tournament as a junior. He made the USA Today All-USA Washington first team with an average of 21.3 points, 10 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.3 blocks per game throughout the season. McDaniels' status as a top prospect in the 2019 class was cemented in May 2018 after he had breakthrough success with Seattle Rotary in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL).
McDaniels broke NBA star Donny Marshall's school single-game scoring record in 2019 as a senior, scoring 51 points against Todd Beamer High School. He was named the Washington Gatorade Player of the Year and the Class 4a Player of the Year. He also participated in the Jordan Brand Classic and the McDonald's All-American Game.
Where was Jaden McDaniels' born?
Jaden McDaniels was born in Seattle, Washington, in the U.S. on September 29, 2000. His parents are Angela Jackson and Will McDaniels. Jalen, his older brother, is an NBA player who was dealt by the Toronto Raptors to the Sacramento Kings in June 2024. The Kings subsequently traded him to the San Antonio Spurs in October, but he was waived soon after.
FAQs on Jaden McDaniels
A. The Los Angeles Lakers traded Jaden McDaniels to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who then traded him to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
A. Jaden McDaniels has an average of 3.4 three-pointers per game over his career, as per Statmuse.
A. Jalen and Jaden McDaniels are not twins; rather, Jalen is Jaden's two-year older brother.
A. Jaden McDaniels is of American nationality. He was born in Seattle and raised in Federal Way, Washington, in the United States.
A. Jaden McDaniels attended the University of Washington in 2019-2020.
