Jarkel Joiner Bio
Jarkel Joiner (born May 20, 1999) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). Standing 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) and weighing 181 lb (82 kg), he plays the point guard position and is known for his scoring ability and perimeter playmaking. Joiner went undrafted in the 2023 NBA draft and built his professional career through the NBA G League before moving to the CEBL.
Before turning professional, Joiner played college basketball at three programs: Cal State Bakersfield, Ole Miss, and NC State. He earned First-team All-WAC honors in 2019 and Second-team All-ACC recognition in 2023, establishing himself as a productive scorer at multiple levels of competition. His professional path has taken him through the Atlanta Hawks organization, the College Park Skyhawks, and the Raptors 905.
Early Life and Background
Jarkel Joiner was born on May 20, 1999, in Oxford, Mississippi, where he grew up and attended Oxford High School. Coming from a community with a strong basketball tradition, he developed his game locally and emerged as one of the most productive high school scorers in the country during his senior year. As a senior, he ranked fourth nationally with 36.5 points per game, a reflection of his scoring instincts and offensive consistency.
Joiner was named the 2017 Mississippi Boys Basketball Player of the Year by the Daily Journal, an honor that underscored his dominance at the state level. He helped lead the Oxford Chargers to the state semifinals that season. Despite his production, he was not a heavily recruited prospect nationally and committed to play college basketball at Cal State Bakersfield, a program where he believed he could grow and earn meaningful minutes early.
Path to Basketball
Joiner began his college career at Cal State Bakersfield, where he averaged 10.3 points per game as a freshman. During his sophomore season, his production jumped to 15.6 points per game, and he was named to the First Team All-WAC in 2019, signaling his development as a reliable scoring guard. His performance at the mid-major level caught the attention of larger programs.
After his sophomore year, Joiner transferred to Ole Miss, where he sat out one season before returning to the floor. As a junior, he averaged 12 points and 2.6 rebounds per game, and as a senior he posted 13.2 points and 2.3 assists per game, even while dealing with a back injury. Seeking a final season in a Power Five conference, he transferred to NC State, where he averaged 17 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. His play earned him Second Team All-ACC honors in 2023 and helped lead the Wolfpack to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018.
Jarkel Joiner Career
Early Career (2023–2025)
After going undrafted in the 2023 NBA draft, Jarkel Joiner joined the Atlanta Hawks for the 2023 NBA Summer League. On October 4, 2023, he signed with the Hawks, but was waived on October 8. Shortly after, on October 29, 2023, he joined the Hawks’ NBA G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks, where he began his official professional career.
Joiner spent his first two professional seasons with the College Park Skyhawks from 2023 to 2025. He returned to the Skyhawks on October 26, 2024, after a brief signing with the Atlanta Hawks on October 15, 2024, which was followed by a waiver the next day. During this period, he developed his game as a scoring point guard in the G League and built the foundation for his later professional opportunities.
NBA G League Breakthrough (2023–2025)
Joiner’s time with the College Park Skyhawks served as his primary professional platform. As a young guard adjusting to the pro game, he used the G League schedule to refine his perimeter shot, his pick-and-roll decision making, and his ability to play on and off the ball. The experience helped him adjust to the speed and physicality of professional basketball after his multi-school college journey.
Raptors 905 Era (2025–2026)
On October 27, 2025, Jarkel Joiner joined the Raptors 905, the NBA G League affiliate of the Toronto Raptors. The move offered him a new developmental environment within a different organization. Although his time with the 905 was short, the stint positioned him for an international opportunity north of the border.
Vancouver Bandits Era (2026–Present)
On May 23, 2026, Jarkel Joiner signed with the Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. The move marked his transition from the NBA G League system to Canada’s top professional summer league, where he continued his role as a scoring lead guard. The CEBL opportunity gave Joiner a chance to feature as a primary ball handler at the professional level.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jarkel Joiner is best known as a scorer who can create his own shot from the perimeter and off the dribble. His 36.5 points-per-game senior season at Oxford High School and his 17-point scoring average at NC State highlight a career built on consistent offensive production. Listed at 6 ft 1 in, he operates primarily as a point guard, with the ball-handling and shot-making skills needed to run an offense.
Notable Events and Milestones
Joiner earned Mississippi Boys Basketball Player of the Year honors in 2017, First-team All-WAC recognition in 2019, and Second-team All-ACC honors in 2023, when he helped NC State reach the NCAA Tournament. He also participated in the 2023 NBA Summer League with the Atlanta Hawks, an experience that launched his professional path.
Jarkel Joiner Career Wins
Jarkel Joiner’s career is highlighted more by individual statistical production and team success than by a long list of championships. Across high school, college, and the professional ranks, he has been recognized as one of the more consistent scoring guards he has competed against. His professional chapter is still in its early stages.
Professional Highlights
Joiner has not yet secured a major individual award at the professional level, but his progression from undrafted free agent to NBA Summer League participant, G League rotation player, and CEBL starter marks meaningful momentum. He has been a steady contributor at every stop and continues to build his professional resume with the Vancouver Bandits.
Jarkel Joiner Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Jarkel Joiner’s family is limited. He grew up in Oxford, Mississippi, and played his high school basketball locally at Oxford High School, where he became one of the most productive scorers in the state. Detailed records about his parents and immediate family are not widely published.
Personal Life
Beyond his basketball career, Jarkel Joiner keeps a relatively private personal life. He is American by nationality and was born and raised in Oxford, Mississippi. Publicly available information about his relationships, spouse, or children is not currently documented in verifiable sources.
2025 Season Performance
Jarkel Joiner opened the 2025 professional season with the College Park Skyhawks, continuing his role in the Atlanta Hawks’ G League system. He brought the experience of two prior G League seasons and a productive NC State senior year into the campaign, serving as a scoring guard for the Skyhawks’ backcourt.
On October 27, 2025, Joiner’s season took a new direction when he joined the Raptors 905, the Toronto Raptors’ G League affiliate. The move gave him a fresh opportunity within a different organization, with the goal of expanding his role and showcasing his scoring ability for a new coaching staff and system.
Entering the back half of the 2025–26 cycle, Joiner’s outlook remained focused on continued development, consistent minutes, and the chance to compete for a deeper role at the professional level. His progression from undrafted free agent to multi-team G League contributor reflects steady growth, and his eventual signing with the Vancouver Bandits in May 2026 underscored the respect he had earned across multiple professional leagues.