Kevin Porter Jr. Bio
Bryan Kevin Porter Jr., commonly known as Kevin Porter Jr. or by his initials KPJ, is an American professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 203 pounds, he plays both point guard and shooting guard. He was born on May 4, 2000, in Seattle, Washington, and played college basketball for the USC Trojans before launching his professional career in 2019.
Over the course of his NBA journey, Porter has become known for his scoring touch, isolation scoring, and creative playmaking. He has spent time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Clippers, along with brief international experience in Greece, and continues his career with the Milwaukee Bucks. Along the way, he earned All-NBA G League First Team honors in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Porter was born in Seattle, Washington, to Ayanna and Bryan Kevin Porter Sr. His father played sports at Rainier Beach High School and was a formative presence in the community. Tragedy struck when Porter Sr. died in a shooting in 2004, when his son was only four years old. Following that loss, Porter Jr. was raised in South Seattle by his mother, who became his central role model.
Encouraged by his family, Porter developed his love for basketball in his hometown of Seattle. He attended Rainier Beach High School, choosing the school in part to honor the tradition his father had established there. He also credits fellow left-handed guard James Harden as one of the biggest influences on his playing style, a connection that has shaped his isolation scoring and handle since his early years.
Path to Basketball
At Rainier Beach High School, Porter blossomed into one of the top young guards in the country. In his senior year, he averaged 27 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists per game, leading Rainier Beach to a 22–7 record. On March 3, 2018, he posted 22 points and 11 rebounds in a Class 3A state championship game loss to Garfield High School, capping his high school career with a Washington Mr. Basketball award from the state coaches association.
Porter was rated a five-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals and a four-star recruit by ESPN, making him the top-ranked player from Washington in the 2018 class. He received offers from several NCAA Division I programs, including UCLA, Oregon, and Washington, before committing to USC. He became the first USC player since DeMar DeRozan in 2008 to be rated a five-star recruit by Rivals, signaling his arrival on the national stage.
Kevin Porter Jr. Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Porter debuted for the USC Trojans on November 6, 2018, scoring 15 points off the bench on 6-of-7 shooting in an 83–62 win over Robert Morris. His momentum was interrupted by a quadriceps contusion on November 20 against Missouri State, which forced him to miss nine games. He returned on January 10, 2019, scoring five points in 25 minutes against Nevada.
Shortly after his return, Porter was suspended indefinitely by USC for personal conduct issues. Despite the setback, he stated his intention to finish the season with the team and played in the final three games. He averaged 9.8 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 22 minutes across 21 appearances, then announced he would forgo his remaining eligibility and declare for the 2019 NBA draft.
Cleveland Cavaliers (2019–2021)
In the 2019 NBA draft, Porter was selected 30th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks and traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers via the Detroit Pistons. He signed with Cleveland on July 3, 2019, and made his NBA debut on October 23, 2019, finishing with one rebound, two assists, and a steal against the Orlando Magic. On November 19, he earned his first NBA start against the New York Knicks and recorded a then career-high 18 points in 31 minutes.
Porter sat out the start of the 2020–21 season because of an off-season weapons charge that was later dropped. On January 18, 2021, the Cavaliers announced that he would either be traded or released following an outburst over a locker change after the acquisition of Taurean Prince. Three days later, he was traded to the Houston Rockets without playing a game that season.
Houston Rockets (2021–2023)
Porter debuted with the Rockets on March 11, 2021, contributing 13 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds against the Sacramento Kings. After a stint with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, he scored 27 points with 11 rebounds and 14 assists for his first G League triple-double on February 25, 2021, and was recalled on March 6. The day after being fined $50,000 for violating Health and Safety Protocols, he exploded for 50 points and 11 assists against the Milwaukee Bucks, becoming the youngest player in NBA history with 50-plus points and 10-plus assists in a single game.
Porter continued producing milestones with the Rockets, including his first NBA triple-double on March 31, 2022, with 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists against Sacramento. On October 17, 2022, he agreed to a four-year, $82.5 million contract extension, cementing his future in Houston. His tenure ended on October 17, 2023, when he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder following a domestic assault charge and was immediately waived.
PAOK (2024)
On April 2, 2024, Porter signed with Greek club PAOK for the rest of the season, marking his first professional experience overseas. In six domestic league matches, he averaged 22 points, 9.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 2.8 steals in 39 minutes per contest. He posted a triple-double against Panathinaikos with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, the first triple-double in Greek Basket League playoff history.
Los Angeles Clippers (2024–2025)
On July 10, 2024, Porter signed with the Los Angeles Clippers, returning to the NBA after his time in Greece. He joined a veteran roster and continued developing his role as a combo guard with the Clippers through the early portion of the 2024–25 campaign. His stay in Los Angeles ended on February 6, 2025, when he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for MarJon Beauchamp.
Milwaukee Bucks (2025–Present)
Porter joined the Bucks mid-season and quickly made an impact. On March 5, 2025, he recorded a triple-double with 14 assists, 11 rebounds, and 10 points during a 137–110 win over the Dallas Mavericks. In the playoffs, he posted 23 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals in a Game 4 loss to the Indiana Pacers. On June 30, 2025, he agreed to a two-year, $11 million contract to return to the Bucks, with the deal formally completed on July 6.
On October 31, 2025, Porter was announced to be out for at least four weeks with a torn meniscus in his right knee. He went on to make 38 appearances, including 36 starts, averaging 17.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 7.4 assists during the 2025–26 season. On April 7, 2026, he underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair the knee and missed the remainder of the regular season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Standing 6 feet 5 inches with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, Porter brings a rare blend of size and skill to the backcourt. He possesses a strong isolation game complemented by elite athleticism, allowing him to score effectively on the perimeter, at the rim, and in transition. His creative handle enables him to create space for step-back jumpers, pull-up shots out of crossovers, and behind-the-back dribble pull-backs. Scouts have also highlighted his rebounding and ability to force turnovers as key strengths.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Porter’s signature moments came on April 29, 2021, when he scored 50 points with 11 assists against the Milwaukee Bucks, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to record 50-plus points and 10-plus assists in a game. He has since added multiple triple-doubles with the Rockets and Bucks, plus a historic playoff triple-double in Greece. He earned All-NBA G League First Team honors and led the G League in scoring and assists during the 2020–21 season.
Kevin Porter Jr. Career Wins
Porter has built a versatile resume across the NBA, G League, and international play. While his career has not been defined by championship rings, he has accumulated individual accolades and signature performances at every stop, from the G League to the Greek Basket League playoffs.
NBA Highlights
Porter’s standout NBA run includes his 50-point, 11-assist explosion against the Bucks in 2021 and multiple triple-doubles with the Rockets and Bucks. He posted his first NBA triple-double on March 31, 2022, against Sacramento and added another on March 23, 2023, against Memphis. With the Bucks, he recorded a triple-double on March 5, 2025, and delivered 23 points in a first-round playoff game against the Indiana Pacers.
Other Wins & Performances
In the G League, Porter earned All-NBA G League First Team honors in 2021 while leading the league in scoring and assists for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. During his brief Greek Basket League stint with PAOK, he posted the first triple-double in league playoff history against Panathinaikos. He was also named Washington Mr. Basketball in 2018 after a dominant senior season at Rainier Beach.
Kevin Porter Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Porter was raised by his mother, Ayanna, in South Seattle after the death of his father, Bryan Kevin Porter Sr., in 2004. His father had played sports at Rainier Beach High School, a connection that influenced Porter’s decision to attend the same school. His mother became his central role model during his formative years.
Personal Life
Porter grew up in Seattle and continues to credit his mother and the memory of his late father as guiding forces in his life. He has spoken publicly about how his South Seattle upbringing shaped his competitive edge. Public details about his personal relationships remain limited.
2025 Season Performance
Porter’s 2025 campaign was highlighted by his midseason trade to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he quickly became a triple-double threat and playoff contributor. After joining the Bucks, he recorded a 14-assist, 11-rebound, 10-point triple-double against Dallas on March 5 and added 23 points in a first-round Game 4 loss to the Indiana Pacers. His new contract signaled the franchise’s confidence in his long-term fit alongside the Bucks’ veteran core.
Looking ahead, Porter faces a key stretch of recovery after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on April 7, 2026. Before the injury, he had averaged 17.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 7.4 assists across 38 appearances, including 36 starts, for Milwaukee. The two-year, $11 million deal he signed in the summer of 2025 gives him time to return healthy and re-establish his role as a primary playmaker for the Bucks.
