Jalen McDaniels Bio
Jalen Marquis McDaniels is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 ft 9 in and listed at 190 lb, he plays the small forward position and is recognized for his versatile scoring and rebounding ability. He is the older brother of Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels, making the two siblings one of the more closely watched brother pairings in the league.
Born in Seattle, Washington, McDaniels developed into a high-level prospect through years of structured youth basketball before advancing to the collegiate level with the San Diego State Aztecs. After two seasons in college, he entered the 2019 NBA Draft, where he was selected in the second round by the Charlotte Hornets and began a professional career that has since spanned multiple NBA franchises and a G League stint.
Early Life and Background
Jalen Marquis McDaniels was born on January 31, 1998, in Seattle, Washington, and grew up in nearby Federal Way, Washington. He attended Federal Way High School, where he played both basketball and football during his prep years. His athletic frame and early coordination made him a two-sport standout, though basketball would eventually become his primary focus.
During his senior season at Federal Way High School, McDaniels averaged 19 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocked shots per game, earning Associated Press Washington Class 4A first-team honors. He was ranked as the 98th-best prospect in the class of 2016 heading into that final year. Federal Way finished the season undefeated at 29-0 and captured the Class 4A state championship, giving McDaniels his first taste of major team success.
Path to Professional Basketball
McDaniels redshirted the 2016-17 season at San Diego State before joining the Aztecs’ active roster. In his freshman year, he averaged 10.5 points in 24.7 minutes per game, starting 21 of 33 contests and earning Mountain West Player of the Week honors on February 19, 2018. He briefly explored the 2018 NBA Draft, working out for the Cleveland Cavaliers, before withdrawing less than 90 minutes before the deadline to return to college.
As a sophomore, McDaniels elevated his production, averaging 15.9 points per game and leading the Aztecs in rebounding with 8.3 boards per contest. He was named second-team All-Mountain West in 2019. He then declared for the 2019 NBA Draft and was invited to the NBA Draft Combine as one of 66 participants, ultimately solidifying his transition to the professional level.
Jalen McDaniels Career
Early Career (2019-2021)
McDaniels was selected with the 52nd overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets and signed his first contract on October 10, 2019. His deal was converted to a two-way contract on October 19 before he signed a multi-year deal with the Hornets the following day. He made his NBA debut on October 25, 2019, coming off the bench against the Minnesota Timberwolves and recording two points and a rebound.
Throughout his first two seasons, McDaniels split time between the Hornets and their G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm. He posted a season-high 11 points against the Atlanta Hawks on March 9, 2020, and on April 7, 2021, he scored 21 points with six rebounds, three assists, and two steals in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, signaling his growing offensive confidence.
Charlotte Hornets Breakthrough (2021-2023)
During the 2021-22 season, McDaniels took on a larger bench role with Charlotte. He scored 16 points with four rebounds, three assists, and two steals in a win over the Orlando Magic on October 27, 2021, and matched that 16-point output against the Houston Rockets on December 27, 2021. His ability to score in bunches off the bench became a consistent feature of the Hornets’ rotation.
His breakthrough arrived on January 16, 2023, when McDaniels scored a career-high 26 points with three rebounds and two steals in a road loss to the Boston Celtics. That performance underscored his scoring ceiling as a small forward. Shortly after, on February 9, 2023, he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers as part of a four-team deal involving the Portland Trail Blazers and New York Knicks, closing his longest NBA chapter with Charlotte.
Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors Era (2023-2024)
McDaniels debuted for Philadelphia on February 11, 2023, recording five points and five rebounds in a win over the Brooklyn Nets. On July 6, 2023, he signed a multi-year contract with the Toronto Raptors, opening a new chapter in his career. His time in Toronto was brief, however, as he was traded to the Sacramento Kings on June 28, 2024, in exchange for Davion Mitchell, Sasha Vezenkov, the draft rights to Jamal Shead, and a 2025 second-round pick.
After appearing in two preseason games for Sacramento, McDaniels was traded to the San Antonio Spurs on October 16, 2024, and was waived shortly thereafter. The stretch illustrated the volatile nature of reserve-tier NBA movement and set the stage for his next opportunity in the G League.
Capital City Go-Go and Washington Wizards Era (2024-Present)
On November 22, 2024, McDaniels signed with the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League and was traded the next day to the Capital City Go-Go, the G League affiliate of the Washington Wizards. He continued to produce at that level before receiving a call-up, signing a 10-day contract with the Washington Wizards on February 22, 2025.
His Wizards stint extended his professional journey into its seventh calendar year, marking the latest chapter in a career defined by perseverance through multiple franchises. He most recently played for Washington, and the team remains the most recent NBA roster on his professional record.
Driving Style and Strengths
McDaniels is a long, mobile small forward who uses his 6 ft 9 in frame to score in the mid-range and finish at the rim. He rebounds effectively for his position, leverages his length on the defensive end, and has shown the ability to contribute as a secondary scorer off the bench, qualities that have allowed him to remain a viable rotation piece across several organizations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in McDaniels’ career include leading Federal Way to a 29-0 record and a Class 4A state title, being named second-team All-Mountain West in 2019, and scoring a career-high 26 points against the Boston Celtics on January 16, 2023. Being drafted 52nd overall in 2019 and later signing multi-year contracts with both Charlotte and Toronto further underscore his professional longevity.
Jalen McDaniels Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jalen McDaniels comes from a family with deep basketball roots. He is the older brother of Jaden McDaniels, a professional player for the Minnesota Timberwolves who was the number one prospect in the state of Washington, the sixth-ranked high school player nationally, and a McDonald’s All-American. Jalen is also the cousin of former NBA player Juwan Howard, further extending the family’s basketball lineage.
Personal Life
McDaniels played two seasons of college basketball at San Diego State before turning professional. Public records do not provide verified details on a spouse or children, and his personal life outside of basketball remains largely private. His close relationship with his brother Jaden remains a well-documented part of his public profile.
2025 Season Performance
McDaniels entered 2025 with the Capital City Go-Go before receiving an NBA opportunity. He signed a 10-day contract with the Washington Wizards on February 22, 2025, bringing him back to the NBA level for the first time since his earlier stints with Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Toronto. His return to the league highlighted his continued readiness to contribute as a versatile reserve forward.
Throughout the early portion of the 2025 calendar, McDaniels split his time between G League and NBA duty, a common path for veteran reserve players seeking to extend their careers. The Wizards provided a familiar G League pipeline through the Capital City Go-Go, easing his transition back into the league’s day-to-day schedule.
Looking ahead, McDaniels’ primary objective is to secure a stable NBA roster spot beyond his 10-day deal. His combination of size, scoring upside, and experience across multiple organizations leaves him well-positioned to compete for a continued role with the Wizards or another interested franchise as the 2025 season progresses.