Dylan Cardwell Bio
Dylan Cardwell (born December 16, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA), currently on a two-way contract that also assigns him to the Stockton Kings of the NBA G League. A center listed at 6 feet 10 inches and 255 pounds, he played college basketball for the Auburn Tigers before turning professional in 2025. Known for his rebounding, shot-blocking and high-energy play, Cardwell became Auburn’s all-time winningest men’s basketball player during his senior season.
Following his college career, Cardwell signed with the Sacramento Kings and has since transitioned into a rotation role at the NBA level, drawing attention for his rookie production on the boards and at the rim. His combination of size, mobility and motor has made him one of the more intriguing young big men to enter the league from the SEC in recent years.
Early Life and Background
Dylan Cardwell was born on December 16, 2001, in Augusta, Georgia. He grew up in the state of Georgia and developed his early interest in basketball in the Augusta and greater Atlanta areas. Standing well above his peers from a young age, Cardwell was identified early as a frontcourt prospect with significant upside.
He attended Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, a program long known for producing Division I and professional talent, playing there through his junior season. As a junior at Oak Hill, he averaged 3.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, showing flashes of the rebounding and defensive instincts that would later define his profile. Cardwell transferred to McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, for his senior year to finish his high school career closer to home.
Coming out of high school, Cardwell was rated as a three-star recruit. Despite his ranking, he drew interest from several high-major programs, including Georgia, Tennessee, Miami, Maryland and UConn. He ultimately committed to play college basketball at Auburn, a decision that would shape the next chapter of his development.
Path to Basketball
Cardwell arrived at Auburn ahead of the 2020–21 season as a developmental big man with a clear role in mind: defending the rim, rebounding and providing energy in limited minutes. As a freshman, he appeared in 27 games and averaged 3.8 points and 3.6 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game, giving the Tigers a physical presence off the bench.
During the 2021–22 season, Cardwell appeared in all 34 Auburn games and averaged roughly three points and three rebounds, continuing to serve as a reliable interior reserve. On January 11, 2022, he tallied six points, six rebounds and four blocks in a win over rival Alabama, a performance that highlighted his shot-blocking ceiling.
Over the next two seasons, Cardwell’s role steadily expanded. In 2022–23, he opened the year with nine points and ten blocks across the first two games and finished the season averaging 3.7 points and 3.8 rebounds in 32 appearances. In 2023–24, he averaged 5.3 points, 1.6 blocks and 1.2 assists in 14.7 minutes per game, cementing himself as one of the SEC’s most efficient defensive big men. Heading into 2024–25, he earned a full-time starting role for the first time, marking his transition from energy specialist to cornerstone.
Dylan Cardwell Career
Early Career (2020–2023)
Cardwell’s early college years were defined by patience and incremental growth. Playing behind established veterans, he focused on rim protection, screening and hustle plays rather than scoring volume. His shot-blocking numbers climbed each season, and his per-minute rebounding rates drew positive reviews from the Auburn coaching staff.
By the end of his third season, Cardwell had become a favorite of the Auburn fan base for his energy plays and emotional celebrations on the bench and on the floor. His development in this stretch laid the groundwork for a larger role as an upperclassman.
Auburn Breakthrough (2023–2025)
The 2023–24 season marked Cardwell’s emergence as a two-way contributor. He posted 5.3 points per game, added 1.6 blocks and 1.2 assists, and gave Auburn a steady defensive anchor. His efficiency and willingness to guard multiple positions made him a key piece of the Tigers’ frontcourt rotation.
As a senior in 2024–25, Cardwell became a full-time starter for the first time. On December 30, 2024, he produced 12 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks and a steal in a win over Monmouth, an early signature performance of his final collegiate year. On March 1, 2025, he became the all-time winningest player in Auburn men’s basketball history, reaching 115 career wins after a 94–78 victory over Kentucky, a milestone that underscored his longevity and consistency on a winner.
Sacramento Kings Era (2025–Present)
On June 26, 2025, after going undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft, Cardwell signed a two-way contract with the Sacramento Kings, beginning his professional career. The two-way deal allows him to split time between the Kings and their G League affiliate, the Stockton Kings, providing a developmental pathway while keeping him affiliated with Sacramento’s main roster.
Cardwell quickly made an impact during his rookie NBA season. In February 2026, the Sacramento Kings signed him to a four-year standard contract as part of a three-team deal that sent Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis and Dario Šarić out of Sacramento and brought De’Andre Hunter to the Kings. At the time of the promotion, Cardwell led his rookie class in blocks per game and led all rookies in rebounds per game, a remarkable rise for an undrafted center. On April 5, 2025, he recorded a career-high 15 points against the Los Angeles Clippers, alongside four blocks, signaling his growing offensive confidence.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cardwell plays an old-school center’s game: physical post defense, vertical spacing as a rim runner, relentless offensive rebounding and high-volume screen setting. He is at his best in half-court sets where he can anchor the middle, protect the rim and finish lobs. His motor and screen-and-roll reads have earned praise from the Sacramento Kings’ coaching staff, who view him as a long-term fit in their defensive identity.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cardwell’s most celebrated milestone came on March 1, 2025, when he became Auburn’s all-time winningest men’s basketball player, surpassing the previous program record with 115 career wins. His NBA milestones have come quickly: a rookie contract upgrade to a four-year standard deal in February 2026 and a career-high 15-point, four-block performance against the Los Angeles Clippers on April 5, 2025, bookend an encouraging start to his professional career.
Dylan Cardwell Career Wins
Cardwell’s career has been defined more by winning than by personal statistics, a trend that began at Auburn and has continued into the NBA. His 115 career victories at Auburn set the men’s basketball program record, and his transition to the Sacramento Kings placed him on a contending roster with playoff aspirations.
Auburn Highlights
Cardwell finished his Auburn career as the program’s all-time winningest men’s basketball player, reaching 115 wins in March 2025. He played a role on multiple NCAA Tournament teams and helped the Tigers maintain a top-tier SEC record during his five seasons. His December 30, 2024, performance of 12 points and 11 rebounds against Monmouth and his March 1, 2025, win over Kentucky are among the signature moments of his final college year.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond Auburn’s team success, Cardwell posted individual milestones such as his six-point, six-rebound, four-block game against rival Alabama on January 11, 2022, and a career-high 15-point, four-block outing against the Los Angeles Clippers on April 5, 2025. He also led all NBA rookies in rebounds per game in February 2026, a sign of his continued growth at the professional level.
Dylan Cardwell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Dylan Cardwell’s family background is limited. He was raised in the Augusta, Georgia, area before moving on to prep schools in Virginia and Georgia, suggesting a supportive family environment that backed his basketball development from an early age.
Personal Life
Cardwell maintains an active public presence through his social media, where he shares updates on his basketball career and personal milestones. He has not publicly disclosed details of a spouse or children, and confirmed personal-life details beyond his basketball journey remain limited.
2025 Season Performance
Dylan Cardwell’s 2025 campaign was a story of transition. He began the year as Auburn’s full-time starting center, producing consistent double-digit scoring efforts and double-digit rebounding games, including a 12-point, 11-rebound performance against Monmouth on December 30, 2024. By the end of the regular season, he had set Auburn’s all-time wins record and positioned himself for a professional opportunity.
After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft, Cardwell signed a two-way contract with the Sacramento Kings on June 26, 2025, and was assigned to the Stockton Kings of the G League. He used the early portion of his rookie NBA season to carve out a role as an energy big off the bench, finishing his first months as one of the most productive rebounders in his rookie class.
By February 2026, his play had earned him a promotion: the Sacramento Kings signed him to a four-year standard contract as part of a three-team trade that brought De’Andre Hunter to Sacramento. He led all rookies in rebounds per game and paced his draft class in blocks per game at the time of the deal, suggesting his 2025 season performance had exceeded expectations for an undrafted free agent.
