Daishen Nix Bio
Daishen Feao Nix is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League. A point guard listed at 6 feet 4 inches and 238 pounds, Nix first rose to national attention as a consensus five-star recruit in the 2020 high school class. He bypassed college basketball to begin his professional career, a rare path that placed him on the developmental track toward the NBA. Known for his passing vision and physical build, Nix has spent his career navigating between G League affiliates and NBA rosters.
Early Life and Background
Daishen Feao Nix was born on February 13, 2002, in Fairbanks, Alaska, and raised in nearby Anchorage. He grew up in an athletic household and found his love for basketball at a young age, playing organized games at Mears Middle School in Anchorage. His mother, Mina Tupuola, was herself a basketball player at Lathrop High School in Fairbanks and went on to attend the University of Alaska Fairbanks, giving Nix a deep family connection to the sport.
At his mother’s encouragement, Nix relocated to Las Vegas at age 13, shortly after finishing eighth grade. The move was designed to expand his basketball exposure and place him closer to extended family. That transition set the stage for his rapid development as a teenager, as he entered one of the country’s most competitive grassroots circuits in southern Nevada.
Path to Basketball
Nix enrolled at Trinity International School in Las Vegas, where he quickly established himself as one of the most productive players in the country. As a junior, he averaged 19.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, leading Trinity International to its second consecutive National Christian School Athletic Association Division I title. He was named NCSAA Player of the Year and finished as his school’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, and assists.
On October 15, 2019, Nix produced a 45-point, 11-assist, 10-steal triple-double against PHH Prep, a performance that solidified his status as a five-star prospect. In March 2020, he shared Grind Session Most Valuable Player honors with fellow top recruit Jalen Green. Nix was also selected for the McDonald’s All-American Game, though the event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also competed for the independent grassroots program Simply Fundamental, run by his high school coach and legal guardian, Greg Lockridge.
On August 20, 2019, Nix committed to UCLA, signing a National Letter of Intent that November. However, on April 28, 2020, he decommitted and chose to forgo his college eligibility, opting instead to sign a professional contract with the NBA G League Ignite. He cited preparation for the NBA draft and family considerations as primary reasons for the decision.
Daishen Nix Career
NBA G League Ignite (2020–2021)
Nix signed a one-year contract worth $300,000 with the NBA G League Ignite on April 28, 2020, becoming one of the highest-profile prospects to choose the developmental program. The Ignite offered him a chance to face grown professionals while preparing for the 2021 NBA draft. He was used primarily as a floor general, with a focus on facilitating offense and guarding multiple positions.
Across his lone season with the Ignite, Nix averaged 8.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, demonstrating a well-rounded skill set even as he adjusted to the professional level. His playmaking and rebounding from the point guard position drew praise from evaluators, helping him secure an invitation to NBA Summer League action the following summer.
Houston Rockets and Rio Grande Valley Vipers (2021–2023)
After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Nix joined the Philadelphia 76ers for NBA Summer League. On August 25, 2021, he signed with the Houston Rockets, and the team converted his deal into a two-way contract on October 16, 2021. That arrangement allowed him to split time between the Rockets and their G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, where he could play heavy minutes and refine his game.
On February 15, 2022, the Rockets converted Nix’s two-way deal into a standard NBA contract, a significant milestone for the young guard. During the 2021–22 season, Nix was part of the Vipers squad that captured the NBA G League championship, earning him his first major professional title. The Rockets later waived him on June 29, 2023, ending his tenure in Houston.
Minnesota Timberwolves and Iowa Wolves (2023–2025)
Nix signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves on September 28, 2023, and was again converted to a two-way contract on October 20, 2023, allowing him to shuttle between the Timberwolves and their G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves. He was recognized for his steady playmaking and continued development as a defender at both levels. On July 11, 2024, he signed a fresh two-way contract with Minnesota, signaling the organization’s continued faith in his potential.
His time in Minnesota, however, came to an end on January 3, 2025, when the Timberwolves waived him. The stint with the Iowa Wolves provided Nix with consistent minutes and helped him grow into a more disciplined facilitator.
Second Stint with Rio Grande Valley Vipers (2025–Present)
On January 11, 2025, Nix rejoined the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, returning to the organization where he had previously won a G League title. His veteran presence made him a key figure in the Vipers’ rotation, and he contributed as both a starter and a leader on the second unit.
On February 8, 2025, Nix signed a 10-day contract with the Sacramento Kings, providing a brief opportunity to return to the NBA. He did not appear in a game for Sacramento and returned to the Vipers once the 10-day deal expired. His work during the 2025–26 NBA G League season later earned him All-NBA G League Third Team honors.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 4 inches and 238 pounds, Nix uses his size to overpower smaller point guards and to absorb contact on drives to the basket. He is at his best as a downhill passer who can read defenses and deliver accurate entries into the post or kick-out passes to shooters. Defensively, his length and strength allow him to guard multiple positions, while his basketball IQ makes him a reliable decision-maker in transition.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Nix’s signature accomplishments are his 2020 McDonald’s All-American selection, his 2022 NBA G League championship with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, and his All-NBA G League Third Team recognition in 2026. The 45-point triple-double against PHH Prep in 2019 remains one of the most striking individual performances of his high school career.
Daishen Nix Career Wins
Daishen Feao Nix has built a résumé that includes an NBA G League championship, a McDonald’s All-American nod, and postseason G League honors. His most celebrated victory came as a member of the 2021–22 Rio Grande Valley Vipers, and his recent All-NBA G League Third Team selection reaffirmed his status as one of the league’s most reliable floor generals.
NBA G League Highlights
Nix first tasted G League success with the Ignite, where he developed his professional foundation in 2020–21. His championship came the following season with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, a run that cemented his reputation as a winner at the developmental level. In 2026, his consistent production earned him a place on the All-NBA G League Third Team.
Other Wins and Performances
Before turning professional, Nix captured two straight NCSAA Division I high school titles with Trinity International and shared Grind Session MVP honors in 2020. He was also a McDonald’s All-American selection, though the game itself was canceled due to the pandemic.
Daishen Nix Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Basketball runs deep in Nix’s family. His mother, Mina Tupuola, was a standout player at Lathrop High School in Fairbanks, Alaska, and later attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where she continued her playing career. Nix is of Samoan descent, and his extended family supported the pivotal move from Anchorage to Las Vegas when he was 13 years old, a step that helped shape his basketball future.
Personal Life
Outside of basketball, Nix has credited his mother and his high school coach, Greg Lockridge, as two of the most influential figures in his life. Lockridge served as Nix’s legal guardian during his high school years in Las Vegas, helping to guide him through one of the most scrutinized recruitment cycles in recent memory.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been a transitional one for Daishen Feao Nix. After being waived by the Minnesota Timberwolves in early January, he rejoined the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, where he quickly returned to form as the team’s primary ball-handler. His early-season contributions helped steady the Vipers during the middle portion of the G League campaign.
In February 2025, Nix earned a 10-day contract with the Sacramento Kings, a short NBA opportunity that highlighted his standing within the league’s developmental pipeline. Though he did not see game action in Sacramento, the call-up reinforced his reputation as a point guard capable of stepping into NBA rotations when needed.
Looking ahead, Nix remains focused on earning another NBA opportunity while continuing to produce at a high level for the Vipers. His combination of size, vision, and experience makes him a strong candidate for future two-way or standard deals, and his recent All-NBA G League Third Team recognition has reinforced his value as a steady, professional floor general.