Cameron McGriff Bio
Cameron Nathaniel McGriff (born September 30, 1997) is an American professional basketball player. Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighing around 220 pounds, he plays the small forward and power forward positions. He is currently listed with the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League. McGriff previously played college basketball for the Oklahoma State Cowboys from 2016 to 2020 before beginning a professional career that has taken him across the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean.
After going undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft, McGriff built his professional résumé through stints in Belgium, the NBA G League, Puerto Rico, Greece, France, and the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers. His journey through multiple leagues reflects both his persistence and his willingness to adapt to different styles of play.
Early Life and Background
Cameron McGriff was born on September 30, 1997, in Grand Prairie, Texas, United States. He grew up in a household led by his mother, Octavia Goodman, and his father, Nate McGriff, who worked three jobs. His parents were separated during his childhood, and McGriff spent much of his early years focused on flag football rather than basketball.
As McGriff grew taller, he shifted his athletic focus to basketball. By sixth grade, he could dunk, which marked the beginning of his serious commitment to the sport. He attended South Grand Prairie High School in Grand Prairie, Texas, where he developed into a promising forward. During his senior season, he averaged 14.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
McGriff was ranked as the 10th best recruit in Texas by ESPN and the No. 113 player in his high school class by Rivals. He ultimately committed to Oklahoma State, choosing the Cowboys over Arkansas because he believed the program would help him reach the NBA.
Path to Professional Basketball
McGriff joined the Oklahoma State Cowboys in 2016 and played four seasons of college basketball. As a freshman, he averaged 3.8 points and 3.1 rebounds in 15.7 minutes per game, building a reputation for his dunking ability, including a highlight dunk against Georgetown that appeared on SportsCenter’s Top 10.
Before his sophomore season, McGriff worked to improve his jump shot, reportedly making 1,000 shots per day. That offseason work paid off as he averaged 8.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while helping Oklahoma State reach the National Invitation Tournament quarterfinals. In November 2018, he scored 28 points in a win against LSU.
As a junior, McGriff averaged 12.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, shooting 38 percent from the field. On February 22, 2020, he tied his career-high of 28 points and added seven rebounds in an 83–66 win over Oklahoma. In his senior year, he averaged 12.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game on a team that finished 18–14. McGriff averaged 19 points per game over his final six contests and was named Oklahoma State’s most valuable player by the Tulsa World. He also earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention recognition.
Cameron McGriff Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
After going undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft, Cameron McGriff signed his first professional contract on June 14, 2020, with Okapi Aalst of the Pro Basketball League (PBL) in Belgium. The opportunity marked his transition from college basketball to the professional ranks overseas.
During his single season with Aalst, McGriff averaged 13.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in the Belgian league. The experience gave him valuable minutes against grown professionals and helped him adjust to the pace and physicality of European basketball before returning to North America.
NBA Pathway: Greensboro Swarm and Portland Trail Blazers (2021–2022)
On October 8, 2021, McGriff signed with the Charlotte Hornets, but was waived six days later. On October 24, he signed with the Greensboro Swarm as an affiliate player. In 14 games with the Swarm, McGriff averaged 10.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, showing enough versatility to earn an NBA look.
On December 25, 2021, McGriff signed a 10-day contract with the Portland Trail Blazers via the hardship exception. He appeared in three NBA games for the Trail Blazers, averaging 4.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. On January 2, 2022, he entered the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols, and on January 5, he was reacquired by the Greensboro Swarm. On January 31, 2022, McGriff was suspended for one game without pay for leaving the bench during an altercation between the Swarm and the Wisconsin Herd.
Overseas Stints: Capitanes de Arecibo, AEK Athens, and Le Mans (2022–2023)
On April 21, 2022, McGriff signed with the Capitanes de Arecibo of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) in Puerto Rico, gaining experience in another competitive league. Later that summer, on July 19, 2022, he signed a one-year contract with Greek club AEK Athens.
During his time with AEK Athens, McGriff averaged 9.1 points and 4.8 rebounds in domestic competition, along with 6 points and 3.9 rebounds in the Basketball Champions League (BCL). His play earned him Greek League All-Star honors in 2022. On February 27, 2023, McGriff parted ways with AEK and signed the same day with Le Mans of the French Pro A league, continuing his European tour.
G League Return and Puerto Rico (2023–2024)
On October 30, 2023, McGriff joined the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League, returning to the United States. On March 5, 2024, he was traded to the Indiana Mad Ants, where he continued to produce as a versatile forward.
In April 2024, McGriff returned to Puerto Rico, signing with the Santeros de Aguada on April 9. On June 10, 2024, after leaving Aguada, he signed with the Indios de Mayagüez, finishing his summer with another BSN team.
Indiana Mad Ants and Salt Lake City Stars (2024–Present)
On August 23, 2024, McGriff signed with the Indiana Pacers but was waived three days later. On October 27, 2024, he joined the Indiana Mad Ants for his second stint with the organization. On March 5, 2024, he had been traded to the Mad Ants, and he continued contributing as a veteran presence in the G League.
McGriff is currently with the Salt Lake City Stars, the NBA G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz. He continues to pursue an opportunity to return to the NBA while producing at a high level in the G League.
Driving Style and Strengths
McGriff is a versatile forward who combines interior toughness with a developing perimeter game. His athleticism and dunking ability have always been central to his identity, while his commitment to improving his jump shot, including the offseason routine of making 1,000 shots per day, has helped him extend his range and become a more complete scorer.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the signature moments of McGriff’s career came during his freshman year at Oklahoma State, when his dunk against Georgetown landed on SportsCenter’s Top 10. He also tied his career-high with 28 points against Oklahoma on February 22, 2020, and earned Greek League All-Star honors in 2022 while with AEK Athens. His brief NBA stint with the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2021–2022 season remains a milestone he continues to build on.
Cameron McGriff Career Highlights
Cameron McGriff’s professional career has featured stops in the NBA, the NBA G League, and several international leagues. While he has not secured a permanent NBA roster spot, he has produced consistently at every level he has played, including All-Star recognition in Greece.
NBA and G League Highlights
McGriff appeared in three games for the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2021–2022 season, averaging 4.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. In the NBA G League, he played for the Greensboro Swarm, Memphis Hustle, Indiana Mad Ants, and Salt Lake City Stars, with his strongest G League production coming during his 14-game stint with the Swarm in 2021, when he averaged 10.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
International Highlights
Internationally, McGriff has competed in Belgium, Greece, France, and Puerto Rico. He averaged 13.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game with Okapi Aalst in Belgium, was named a Greek League All-Star in 2022 with AEK Athens, and played in the Basketball Champions League during the 2022–2023 season.
Cameron McGriff Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Cameron McGriff was raised primarily by his mother, Octavia Goodman, after his parents separated. His father, Nate McGriff, worked three jobs to provide for the family. While his parents were not professional athletes, their work ethic and support helped shape McGriff’s drive and perseverance.
Personal Life
McGriff was born and raised in Grand Prairie, Texas, and remains an American by nationality. Public details about his marital status, spouse, or children are not widely documented. He continues to focus on his basketball career, splitting time between the United States and international leagues.
2025 Season Performance
Entering 2025, Cameron McGriff is with the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League, where he is expected to play a veteran role as a forward. His experience across multiple leagues and his all-around skill set position him as a reliable contributor for the Stars.
Throughout the early portion of the season, McGriff has continued to demonstrate the versatility that has defined his career, contributing as a scorer, rebounder, and defender. His familiarity with NBA-style systems, developed through stints with the Trail Blazers, Pacers, and several G League affiliates, gives him a clear understanding of how to play within structured offensive and defensive schemes.
Looking ahead, McGriff’s primary goal remains earning another opportunity at the NBA level. His consistent production in the G League and overseas, combined with his work ethic and positional versatility, suggest he will remain a candidate for NBA call-ups whenever teams need an experienced forward.