Gary Trent Jr. Bio
Gary Dajaun Trent Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was born on January 18, 1999, in Columbus, Ohio. He played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils before embarking on his professional career, which began in 2018. Over the years, he has established himself as a key player, known for his shooting ability and contributions to his teams. He has also represented the United States at various international competitions.
Early Life and Background
Gary Trent Jr. is the son of Roxanne Holt and Gary Trent Sr., a former professional basketball player. He has three brothers named Garyson, Grayson, and Graydon. His father, Gary Trent Sr., played on the 1993 U.S. Olympic Festival North Team that captured the gold medal. He also had a successful career in the NBA, playing for teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers and the Toronto Raptors, among others. Gary Trent Jr. first attended Apple Valley High School in Apple Valley, Minnesota, where he began to showcase his basketball talent. As a sophomore, he averaged 21.5 points per game, and by his junior year, he had improved to an average of 26.4 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game. His performance earned him the Gatorade Minnesota Player of the Year award and first-team All-Metro honors.
Before his senior year, Trent Jr. transferred to Prolific Prep Academy in Napa, California. During his senior season, he averaged an impressive 31.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, leading his team to a 29–3 overall record. His outstanding performance earned him selections to both the 2017 Jordan Brand Classic and the McDonald’s All-American Boys Game.
Path to Basketball
Trent Jr. was recognized as a five-star recruit and was considered one of the best players in the 2017 high school class by various recruiting services. He was ranked as the No. 8 overall recruit and the No. 1 shooting guard in his class. On November 10, 2016, he signed his letter of intent to attend Duke University, where he joined a highly rated recruiting class that was considered the best in the country.
At Duke, Trent Jr. made an immediate impact. He played for the Blue Devils during the 2017–2018 season, where he had several standout performances. Notably, he scored 25 points in a game against Boston College and a career-high 30 points against Miami. He was named Atlantic Coast Conference Co-Player and Rookie of the Week during the season. Duke entered the NCAA tournament as a No. 2 seed but was eliminated in the Elite Eight by Kansas. After the season, Trent Jr. declared for the NBA Draft.
Gary Trent Jr. Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Gary Trent Jr. was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the 37th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft but was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers shortly thereafter. He signed a three-year contract with the Trail Blazers on July 6, 2018. During his rookie season, he played in 15 games, averaging 2.7 points per game. Much of his time was spent with the Texas Legends in the NBA G League.
In his second and third seasons, Trent Jr. showed significant improvement, averaging 8.9 points per game in the 2019–2020 season and 15 points per game in the 2020–2021 season. His development during these years laid the groundwork for his future success.
Breakthrough (2021–2024)
On March 25, 2021, Trent Jr. was traded to the Toronto Raptors. He quickly made an impact, scoring a career-high 31 points in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. His performance continued to improve, and on April 10, 2021, he scored a remarkable 44 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers, showcasing his scoring ability and efficiency.
In the 2021–2022 season, Trent Jr. had several standout performances, including multiple games where he scored over 30 points. He became known for his shooting prowess, particularly from beyond the arc. On June 20, 2023, he exercised his player option to return to the Raptors for the 2023–2024 season. His contributions were vital to the team’s performance during this period.
Notable Works and Milestones
Gary Trent Jr. has established himself as a key player in the NBA, known for his scoring ability and three-point shooting. He was part of the Raptors team that made significant playoff runs and achieved personal milestones, including his first career double-double and multiple games scoring over 30 points.
Gary Trent Jr. Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Gary Trent Jr. has received several accolades, including being named a McDonald’s All-American and winning the FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship MVP.
Gary Trent Jr. Awards Won
Gary Trent Jr. has been recognized for his achievements, including winning the NBA Cup in 2024 and being named the MVP of the FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship in 2015.
Gary Trent Jr. Family
Gary Trent Jr. is the son of Gary Trent Sr. and Roxanne Holt. He has three brothers, contributing to a supportive family environment that fostered his athletic development.
Personal Life
Details about Gary Trent Jr.’s personal life outside of basketball are not widely publicized, allowing him to maintain a focus on his professional career.