John Konchar Bio
John Konchar, nicknamed “Jitty,” is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Listed at 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) and 210 lb (95 kg), he plays the shooting guard position and has built a reputation as a reliable role player known for his rebounding, hustle, and basketball IQ.
After a standout college career with the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons, Konchar signed with the Memphis Grizzlies as an undrafted free agent in 2019. Over the next several seasons he developed into a dependable contributor before being traded to the Utah Jazz in February 2026, where he has continued to produce as a versatile wing.
Early Life and Background
John Konchar was born on March 22, 1996, in West Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. He grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago and attended West Chicago High School, where he quickly emerged as one of the most productive players in school history.
As a junior at West Chicago High School, Konchar averaged 19.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and two steals per game, leading his team in most statistical categories. In his senior season, he elevated his production even further, averaging 28.9 points, 14.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 3.2 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game, and earned All-Area MVP honors.
On February 27, 2014, Konchar posted 45 points, 15 rebounds, eight assists, five steals, and five blocks in an 89–82 win over St. Charles North High School, becoming his school’s all-time leading scorer in the process. Despite that production, he was lightly recruited, with his only NCAA Division I scholarship offer coming from Chicago State.
Path to Professional Basketball
A Notre Dame assistant coach convinced Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) to extend a basketball scholarship, and on April 25, 2015, Konchar committed to the school. He went on to play four seasons for the Mastodons, a program that transitioned through three different athletic identities during his tenure, including IPFW Mastodons, Fort Wayne Mastodons, and finally Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons.
On March 10, 2019, Konchar recorded 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 96–70 victory over South Dakota in the Summit League tournament, producing the first triple-double in tournament history. As a senior he averaged 19.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and two steals per game, earning first-team All-Summit League honors for the fourth consecutive season.
He finished his college career as the program’s all-time leading scorer with 2,065 career points, and Fort Wayne mayor Tom Henry proclaimed March 28 as “John Konchar Day.” Despite those accomplishments, Konchar went undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft.
John Konchar Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Following the 2019 NBA draft, Konchar signed a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. He made his NBA debut on November 9, 2019, against the Dallas Mavericks, but a calf strain on November 15 sidelined him for several weeks. He finished his rookie campaign with 19 appearances for Memphis, averaging 2.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
On November 22, 2020, the Grizzlies re-signed Konchar to a multi-year contract. He responded with 43 appearances off the bench during the 2020–21 NBA season, averaging 4.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists, while logging a season-high 18 points on May 11, 2021, in a 133–104 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
Memphis Grizzlies Breakthrough (2021–2026)
Konchar’s role expanded during the 2021–22 NBA season, when he appeared in a career-high 72 games, including seven starts, and averaged 4.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. On April 10, 2022, he recorded his first career triple-double with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Boston Celtics.
On July 7, 2022, Konchar signed a three-year, $19 million contract extension with the Grizzlies. He responded by appearing in 72 games with a career-high 23 starts during the 2022–23 season, averaging 5.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, and setting a new career high with 19 points on November 18, 2022, against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Across the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons, Konchar remained a rotation piece for Memphis, appearing in 55 games (23 starts) in 2023–24 with averages of 4.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists, and 46 games (four starts) in 2024–25 with averages of 2.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. On December 15, 2025, he underwent surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb and missed at least three weeks.
Utah Jazz Era (2026–Present)
On February 3, 2026, Konchar was traded to the Utah Jazz along with Jaren Jackson Jr., Jock Landale, and Vince Williams Jr. in exchange for Kyle Anderson, Walter Clayton Jr., Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang, and three first-round draft picks. The move gave Konchar a fresh opportunity with a rebuilding team in need of veteran wings.
He quickly made an impact with his new club. On April 7, 2026, Konchar produced a triple-double of 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 156–137 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. Three days later, on April 10, he recorded another triple-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists off the bench in a 147–101 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
In that same game, his Utah Jazz teammate Bez Mbeng also posted a triple-double off the bench, making Mbeng and Konchar the first pair of teammates to each record a triple-double off the bench in the same game in NBA history.
Playing Style and Strengths
Konchar is valued around the league as a high-energy, glue-type wing who rebounds well above his size, moves the ball intelligently, and defends multiple positions. His rebounding from the guard spot, willingness to take on tough defensive assignments, and ability to play off two feet in the paint make him a natural fit alongside more ball-dominant scorers.
Notable Events and Milestones
Signature milestones in Konchar’s career include becoming West Chicago High School’s all-time leading scorer, posting the first triple-double in Summit League tournament history in 2019, and recording multiple NBA triple-doubles after February 2026. His consecutive triple-doubles with the Utah Jazz in April 2026, paired with teammate Bez Mbeng, set a unique league record.
John Konchar Career Achievements
John Konchar’s career is built on steady production and consistent recognition rather than headline-grabbing awards. Across his college and professional journey he has earned four consecutive First-team All-Summit League selections, an All-Newcomer Team nod, a place as his college program’s all-time leading scorer, and an NBA contract worth $19 million.
College Highlights
At Purdue Fort Wayne, Konchar was a four-time First-team All-Summit League selection from 2016 through 2019 and a member of the Summit League All-Newcomer Team in 2016. He left the program as its all-time leading scorer with 2,065 career points and was honored with a mayoral “John Konchar Day” proclamation in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
NBA Performances
In the NBA, Konchar has reached double digits in scoring several times, posted multiple triple-doubles after joining the Utah Jazz, and played in more than 70 games in consecutive seasons for Memphis. He signed a three-year, $19 million contract extension with the Grizzlies in July 2022.
John Konchar Family
Family Background and Heritage
Public information about Konchar’s immediate family is limited, but he is known to be of Czech, Hungarian, and Serbian descent. He grew up in West Chicago, Illinois, where he developed into one of the most decorated high school players in his school’s history.
Personal Life
Konchar is known by the nickname “Jitty,” which has followed him from his high school days through his professional career. He maintains an active presence on social media and continues to be recognized around the NBA as one of the league’s most underrated role players.
2025 Season Performance
Konchar’s 2024–25 NBA season with the Memphis Grizzlies saw him appear in 46 games, including four starts, while logging averages of 2.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. His role shifted as Memphis leaned on younger wings, but he remained a steady veteran presence in the locker room and on the practice floor.
On December 15, 2025, Konchar underwent surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb and was projected to miss at least three weeks. The injury interrupted his rhythm heading into the middle of the season and limited his ability to build momentum with the Grizzlies.
Despite the setback, Konchar continued to show flashes of the rebounding, ball-moving, and defensive identity that have defined his career. He finished his final partial season in Memphis with 30 appearances and averages of 3.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists before being dealt to the Utah Jazz in February 2026.
