Doug McDermott Bio
Douglas Richard McDermott (born January 3, 1992) is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). While playing college basketball for the Creighton Bluejays, McDermott led the nation in scoring in 2013–14 and was a three-time consensus first-team All-American. He was the consensus national player of the year as a senior in 2014, and finished his college career with the fifth-most points in NCAA Division I men’s basketball history. After graduating from Creighton, McDermott was selected by the Denver Nuggets with the 11th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. He was traded to the Chicago Bulls and went on to play two and a half seasons for the Bulls before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in February 2017. McDermott has also played for the New York Knicks, the Dallas Mavericks, the Indiana Pacers, and the San Antonio Spurs. A small forward, McDermott is known for his outside shooting. McDermott is the son of Creighton coach Greg McDermott and was coached by his father during his college career.
Early Life and Background
Doug McDermott was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where his father was an assistant coach for the University of North Dakota’s men’s basketball team. He played high school basketball at Ames High School in Ames, Iowa, alongside future NBA All-American Harrison Barnes. During his time at Ames, the team won 53 consecutive games and secured consecutive Iowa state titles. As a senior, McDermott averaged 20.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, earning first team All-State honors. Considered a three-star recruit by ESPN, he was listed as the No. 28 small forward in the nation in 2010.
Path to Basketball
Initially, McDermott signed a National Letter of Intent to play with Northern Iowa. However, after his father moved to Creighton, he was released from his commitment to join him there. As a freshman in 2010–11, McDermott averaged 14.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, setting a Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) record for points by a freshman. He was named the conference’s freshman and newcomer of the year. McDermott’s impressive performance helped lead the Bluejays to the 2011 College Basketball Invitational, where they reached the finals. In his sophomore season, he was named the MVC Player of the Year and earned first team All-America honors, finishing the season with an average of 22.9 points per game.
Doug McDermott Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
Doug McDermott was selected in the first round with the 11th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets but was traded to the Chicago Bulls on draft night. He signed his rookie scale contract with the Bulls on July 22, 2014, after averaging 18.0 points during the NBA Summer League. In his NBA debut on October 29, 2014, he scored 12 points against the New York Knicks. Despite a promising start, McDermott faced challenges in his rookie season, including a knee injury that sidelined him for a period. He rebounded in his second season, scoring a career-high 30 points in a game against the Toronto Raptors.
Breakthrough (2017–Present)
In February 2017, McDermott was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he had notable performances, including a game where he scored 21 points against the Sacramento Kings. Later that year, he was traded to the New York Knicks, where he continued to showcase his shooting skills. After a brief stint with the Dallas Mavericks, McDermott signed a three-year contract with the Indiana Pacers in July 2018. He had a standout performance on May 1, 2021, scoring a career-high 31 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder. In August 2021, he joined the San Antonio Spurs via a sign-and-trade deal. McDermott’s journey continued as he was traded back to the Indiana Pacers in February 2024 and then signed with the Sacramento Kings in October 2024.
Notable Works and Milestones
Doug McDermott is recognized for his scoring ability and has achieved several accolades throughout his career, including being named the National College Player of the Year in 2014 and a three-time Consensus First-Team All-American. He has also set records in college basketball, finishing with the fifth-most points in NCAA Division I history.
Doug McDermott Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Doug McDermott has received numerous nominations and accolades, particularly during his college years, where he was recognized as a top player in the nation.
Doug McDermott Awards Won
Doug McDermott has won several prestigious awards, including the MVC Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013, as well as the Big East Player of the Year in 2014. He was also named the NCAA scoring champion in 2014.
Doug McDermott Family
Doug McDermott is the son of Greg McDermott, who has been a significant influence in his basketball career.
Personal Life
Details about Doug McDermott’s personal life are limited, but he has maintained a focus on his basketball career and family.
