Kentavious Caldwell Pope

Image of Kentavious Caldwell Pope
Image of Player Kentavious Caldwell Pope

Player Information

Kentavious Tannell Caldwell-Pope, also known by his initials KCP, is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was named a McDonald's All-American as one of the top high school basketball players in the class of 2011. He played college basketball for two years with the Georgia Bulldogs, and was votedSEC Player of the Year in 2013. Caldwell-Pope was selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons.
Birthdate:
18 February 1993
Full Name:
Kentavious Tannell Caldwell-Pope
Birthplace:
Thomaston, Georgia, USA
Nationality:
United States
Gender:
Male
Height (cm):
196
Weight (kg):
93
Parents:
Lawrence Pope (Father), Rhonda Caldwell (Mother)
Status:
Married
Partner:
McKenzie Redmon
Education:
Greenville High School (High School), Georgia (College)
Career Started:
2013
Notable Achievements:
2× NBA champion (2020, 2023), SEC Player of the Year (2013), First-team All-SEC (2013), SEC All-Freshman Team (2012), McDonald's All-American (2011)
Current Team:
Memphis Grizzlies
Draft Year:
2013
Drafted By:
Detroit Pistons
Previous Teams:
Detroit Pistons (From 2013, To 2017), Los Angeles Lakers (From 2017, To 2021), Washington Wizards (From 2021, To 2022), Denver Nuggets (From 2022, To 2024), Orlando Magic (From 2024, To 2025)
Player Active:
From - 2013, To - Present

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Bio

Kentavious Tannell Caldwell-Pope, also known by his initials KCP, is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was named a McDonald’s All-American as one of the top high school basketball players in the class of 2011. Caldwell-Pope played college basketball for two years with the Georgia Bulldogs and was voted the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Player of the Year in 2013. He was selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons.

Early Life and Background

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was born on February 18, 1993, in Thomaston, Georgia, USA. He grew up in a supportive family, with his father Lawrence Pope and mother Rhonda Caldwell encouraging his passion for basketball from an early age. Caldwell-Pope attended Greenville High School in Greenville, Georgia, where he became a standout player, averaging 31 points and 8.2 rebounds per game during his senior year. His impressive performance led the Patriots to the State Class A Final Four in 2011 and earned him a spot in the prestigious McDonald’s All-American Game.

Path to Basketball

After high school, Caldwell-Pope chose to play college basketball at the University of Georgia, where he played under head coach Mark Fox. During his freshman year, he was named to the Coaches’ Freshman All-SEC Team, showcasing his potential as a future NBA player. In his sophomore season, he averaged 18.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, earning the SEC Player of the Year award. His strong collegiate performance set the stage for his entry into the NBA.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Career

Early Career (2013–2017)

Caldwell-Pope was drafted by the Detroit Pistons as the eighth overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft. He made his debut in the 2013 NBA Summer League and signed his rookie scale contract with the Pistons in July 2013. During his first season, he quickly established himself as a reliable perimeter defender and a key contributor to the team. Caldwell-Pope’s breakout moment came on April 16, 2014, when he scored a career-high 30 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He continued to improve, leading the Pistons in minutes played during the 2014-2015 season and helping the team reach the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

Breakthrough (2017–2021)

In July 2017, Caldwell-Pope signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, marking a new chapter in his career. He made an immediate impact, scoring 20 points in his debut against the New Orleans Pelicans. Caldwell-Pope’s performance peaked during the 2019-2020 season when he played a crucial role in helping the Lakers win the NBA championship. He averaged 10.7 points per game in the playoffs and was instrumental in several key moments, including a pivotal performance in Game 4 of the Finals against the Miami Heat. After two successful seasons with the Lakers, he was traded to the Washington Wizards in August 2021.

Notable Works and Milestones

Caldwell-Pope’s career highlights include being a two-time NBA champion, winning titles with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 and the Denver Nuggets in 2023. He was also named SEC Player of the Year in 2013 and earned a spot on the First-team All-SEC.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Award Nominations

Throughout his career, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has received several accolades, including recognition as a McDonald’s All-American and multiple honors during his college career.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Awards Won

Caldwell-Pope has won two NBA championships, one with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 and another with the Denver Nuggets in 2023. He was also named SEC Player of the Year in 2013 and received First-team All-SEC honors the same year.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Family

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is married to McKenzie Redmon, with whom he tied the knot in June 2016. The couple has four children together, including three sons and one daughter. Caldwell-Pope’s family has been a significant source of support throughout his basketball journey.

Personal Life

Caldwell-Pope was born as Kentavious Caldwell and later added his father’s surname, Pope, during high school. He has maintained a relatively private personal life, focusing on his family and basketball career. His commitment to his family and dedication to the sport have been central to his identity as a professional athlete.