Kevon Looney Bio
Kevon Grant Looney is an American professional basketball player who plays as a power forward and small-ball center for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on February 6, 1996, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Looney starred at UCLA before being selected 30th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. Over a decade in the Bay Area, he became a three-time NBA champion and a respected voice in the locker room, known for his rebounding, screen-setting, and defensive versatility.
Early Life and Background
Kevon Grant Looney was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Doug and Victoria Looney. His father, Doug, played as a forward at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, and became the school’s career rebounding leader, which gave Kevon an early tutor in the sport. Looney’s older brother, Kevin, was six years his senior, and the two played pickup games together in their neighborhood, with Kevin making Kevon rebound more than he shot.
Looney grew up admiring the Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant, studying tape of Bryant and copying his moves in driveway workouts. He attended Alexander Hamilton High School in Milwaukee, where he became the best player on his team and began attracting college attention as a freshman, with offers from Marquette and Wisconsin.
As a sophomore in 2012, Looney was named Player of the Year of the Milwaukee City Conference after averaging 20.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. The following year he averaged 26.1 points, 12.4 rebounds, 7.0 blocks, and 3.1 assists per game. In his senior season, Looney averaged 27.9 points, 12.7 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 8.0 blocks per game, drawing national attention and being called a five-star prospect by Rivals.com, ESPN.com, and Scout.com.
Path to Basketball
Looney announced his college choice on Halloween 2013, surprising recruiting analysts by selecting the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Bruins coach Steve Alford sold Looney on a versatile role that allowed him to play both inside and outside, similar to former UCLA standout Kyle Anderson. Upon arriving on campus, Looney suffered a hip injury during a summer workout but returned to play the entire 2014–15 college season without missing a practice or game.
Looney debuted at UCLA with 20 points, nine rebounds, and three assists in a 113–78 win over Montana State, and followed with double-doubles in his next four games, becoming the first UCLA freshman with at least four double-doubles in his first five games. He led all freshmen nationally with 15 double-doubles and ranked second in the country among freshmen in rebounding.
For the season, Looney averaged 11.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, earning second-team All-Pac-12 honors and a spot on the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. He was also named second-team all-district by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). After one college season, Looney declared for the 2015 NBA Draft.
Kevon Looney Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
Looney was selected with the 30th overall pick in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors, who had just won the 2015 NBA Finals. On July 8, 2015, he signed his rookie scale contract, and on August 20 he underwent a successful right hip arthroscopy to repair a torn labrum. The Warriors assigned him to their D-League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors, where he made his professional debut on January 12, 2016, posting a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds in 16 minutes against the Idaho Stampede.
Looney made his NBA debut on January 27, 2016, scoring on his first attempt and finishing with two points and two rebounds in a 127–107 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. After undergoing surgery on his left hip in April 2016, he missed most of the Warriors’ 2016 NBA Finals run. Healthy entering 2016–17, Looney made his first career start on November 26, 2016, but a left hip strain limited him late in the year. He was inactive for all 17 playoff games as Golden State won the 2017 NBA championship.
Golden State Warriors Breakthrough (2017–2022)
Healthy at last, Looney became a regular rotation player in 2017–18 after losing 30 pounds during the offseason through a new training program and a modified Paleo diet. Head coach Steve Kerr called him Golden State’s “best switching center” as the league shifted toward small-ball lineups. In the 2018 playoffs, Looney impressed defensively by switching onto guards and defending stars like LaMarcus Aldridge and Anthony Davis, helping the Warriors sweep Cleveland for a second straight title.
In 2018–19, Looney set career highs in points (6.3), field-goal percentage (62.5 percent), rebounds (5.2), and minutes (18.5) while filling in at center for the injured Damian Jones. He scored a then-career-high 19 points in Game 2 of the first round against the Los Angeles Clippers, and Kerr labeled him the Warriors’ “unsung hero” during their playoff run to the 2019 NBA Finals, where he suffered a fractured cartilage near his collarbone.
After re-signing with Golden State on a three-year, $15 million deal, Looney was limited to 20 games in 2019–20 due to neuropathy and core-muscle surgery. In 2021–22, he became the starting center, played all 82 regular-season games, and posted career-best averages of 21.1 minutes and 7.3 rebounds per game. He grabbed a career-high 22 rebounds to close out Memphis in the Western Conference semifinals, scored a career-high 21 points with 12 rebounds against Dallas in the Western Conference finals, and won his third NBA championship as Golden State defeated the Boston Celtics in six games.
New Orleans Pelicans Era (2025–Present)
On July 7, 2025, Looney signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, reuniting with former teammate Jordan Poole. According to Looney, his playing time during the 2025 NBA playoffs had been limited, and he felt the Warriors were not utilizing him in ways that suited his strengths. He now joins a young Pelicans frontcourt in need of veteran leadership, rebounding, and screening.
Standing 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, Looney brings positional versatility and a championship pedigree to New Orleans. He is expected to compete for minutes at both power forward and center while providing a steadying locker-room presence.
Driving Style and Strengths
Looney plays with a unique combination of size, length, and perimeter mobility that allows him to defend all five positions. He is a natural rebounder who sets hard screens, finishes efficiently around the rim, and has become a reliable lob-catching target. His offensive rebounding and screen-setting have made him a favorite of guards like Stephen Curry, while his ability to switch onto smaller players has earned praise from coaches around the league.
Notable Events and Milestones
Looney’s three NBA championships with Golden State came in 2017, 2018, and 2022. He delivered a memorable 21-point, 12-rebound performance in Game 2 of the 2022 Western Conference finals against Dallas, drawing “MVP” chants from the home crowd. He also owns one of the longest consecutive-games-played streaks in the NBA, which reached 290 contests before being snapped on March 7, 2024.
Kevon Looney Career Wins
Looney has built his reputation more on winning and consistency than on headline-grabbing individual honors. His three NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors define his resume, and he has been a steady contributor during deep playoff runs, including a 2022 Finals victory over the Boston Celtics.
NBA Highlights
Looney has been a member of three NBA championship teams, winning titles in 2017, 2018, and 2022 with the Golden State Warriors. His most recent championship came as a starting center who played every game of the 2021–22 regular season and served as a defensive anchor during Golden State’s playoff march.
Other Wins and Performances
In college, Looney was a Pac-12 All-Freshman selection and second-team All-Pac-12 in his lone season at UCLA. He was also a McDonald’s All-American, a first-team Parade All-American, and Wisconsin Mr. Basketball in 2014, capping a celebrated prep career at Alexander Hamilton High School in Milwaukee.
Kevon Looney Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kevon Grant Looney comes from a basketball family. His father, Doug Looney, played forward at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, where he set the school’s career rebounding record and later coached his son. His mother is Victoria Looney, and his older brother, Kevin, was a key early influence who challenged Kevon to rebound more than he shot during their backyard games.
Personal Life
In addition to his brother Kevin, Looney has an older sister named Summer. His cousin, Nick Young, also played in the NBA and was his teammate on the Golden State Warriors during the 2017–18 season. Looney attended Alexander Hamilton High School, which retired his No. 5 jersey in 2018.
2025 Season Performance
Looney’s 2024–25 campaign concluded with another deep playoff run for the Golden State Warriors, though he felt his role had diminished by the postseason. After re-signing with Golden State the previous summer, he continued to provide rebounding, screening, and switchable defense, but his minutes in the 2025 playoffs were limited, prompting his decision to seek a fresh start.
On July 7, 2025, Looney signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, linking up with former Warriors teammate Jordan Poole. The Pelicans are expected to use him as a backup center and a veteran leader in the frontcourt, leaning on his championship experience and rebounding.
Looking ahead, Looney is positioned to play a meaningful role for a young Pelicans team aiming to climb the Western Conference standings. His ability to set screens, crash the offensive glass, and defend multiple positions should fit well alongside New Orleans’ core. A healthy 2025–26 season would represent a strong bounce-back chapter for the three-time champion.
