Pat Connaughton Bio
Patrick Bergin Connaughton, born on January 6, 1993, in Arlington, Massachusetts, is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association. Known for his versatility and energy on the court, Connaughton primarily plays the shooting guard position. He first gained national attention as a two-sport athlete at the University of Notre Dame, where he starred in both basketball and baseball. Over the course of his career, he has built a reputation as a reliable role player, highlighted by winning an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021.
Connaughton is one of the rare modern athletes to be drafted in both the NBA and Major League Baseball. That rare combination of athletic talent and competitive drive has shaped his path from a multi-sport high school star to a championship-winning professional.
Early Life and Background
Patrick Bergin Connaughton grew up in Arlington, Massachusetts, where his family encouraged a strong work ethic and a love of sports. He attended St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers, Massachusetts, where he starred in three sports, playing quarterback in football while also competing in baseball and basketball. That multi-sport foundation gave him the athletic base and competitive mindset that would later define his professional career.
By the end of his high school years, Connaughton had drawn heavy interest from college baseball programs. Boston College, the University of Virginia, and his original first choice, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, all extended scholarship offers. Basketball recruiting came later, with a breakthrough performance at the Amateur Athletic Union national tournament in Orlando, Florida, transforming his recruitment. In his senior year, he was named the Gatorade Massachusetts Boys Basketball Player of the Year.
Path to Basketball
Coming out of high school, Connaughton chose the University of Notre Dame, a program that allowed him to pursue both basketball and baseball. As a freshman on the basketball team, he appeared in all 34 games and helped Notre Dame reach the 2012 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament. Over his college career, he steadily improved his scoring averages and became a key contributor for the Fighting Irish on both the diamond and the hardwood.
His stock rose sharply during his junior and senior seasons. In his senior year, Notre Dame won its first Atlantic Coast Conference championship, and Connaughton maintained a 3.0 grade point average in the university’s Mendoza College of Business, ultimately graduating in spring 2015. On the baseball side, the Baltimore Orioles selected him in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB draft, signing him to a deal that allowed him to return for his final basketball season. He also played collegiate summer baseball for the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2013.
Pat Connaughton Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Connaughton was selected with the 41st overall pick in the second round of the 2015 NBA draft by the Brooklyn Nets. His draft rights were then traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, and he signed a three-year deal with Portland on July 9, 2015. He made his NBA debut on October 30, 2015, scoring five points in a loss to the Phoenix Suns and appeared in 34 games as a rookie.
In his second and third seasons, Connaughton carved out a role as an athletic wing who could finish above the rim and stretch the floor. On April 13, 2017, he scored a then career-high 19 points in a season finale loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. The following October, he set a new career high with 24 points while hitting four of six three-pointers in a win over the Phoenix Suns, signaling his growth as a perimeter shooter.
Milwaukee Bucks Breakthrough (2018–2025)
On August 1, 2018, Connaughton signed a two-year, $3.3 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, joining a rising contender in the Eastern Conference. He quickly became a fan favorite, highlighted by his appearance in the Slam Dunk Contest at the 2020 NBA All-Star Game, where he dunked over Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich and finished third. On August 20, 2020, he produced 15 points and 11 rebounds in a first-round playoff win over the Orlando Magic, helping establish his reputation as a postseason contributor.
His biggest career milestone came on July 20, 2021, when the Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns to win the NBA championship. During the NBA Finals, Connaughton averaged 9.2 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 44.1 percent from three-point range across six games. He later signed a three-year, $16 million extension in November 2021, followed by a three-year, $28.5 million extension in July 2022, reflecting his value to the Bucks’ rotation.
Throughout his Milwaukee tenure, Connaughton delivered several memorable performances, including a season-high 23 points in a November 2021 win over the New York Knicks, a 20-point outing in 23 minutes during a 2022 playoff victory over the Chicago Bulls, and a 19-point, 12-rebound effort against the Denver Nuggets in January 2023. He remained a steady presence on a team that consistently competed for the Eastern Conference crown.
Charlotte Hornets Era (2025–Present)
On July 6, 2025, Connaughton was traded to the Charlotte Hornets alongside two second-round picks in exchange for Vasilije Micić, opening a new chapter in his career. He appeared in 41 games with one start during the 2024–25 season, averaging 5.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. On April 13, 2025, he erupted for a career-high 43 points in a 140–133 win over the Detroit Pistons, a signature scoring performance that underscored his offensive ceiling.
On February 4, 2026, the Hornets waived Connaughton, but the team quickly moved to bring him back, re-signing him on February 9 to a two-year, $5.1 million contract. The decision to retain him reflected both his locker-room presence and his continued ability to contribute as a veteran wing.
Driving Style and Strengths
Connaughton is best known for his athleticism, leaping ability, and growing perimeter shooting touch. His track-type strength is the open floor, where his speed and vertical leap help him finish in transition, while his improved three-point shooting has made him a respected floor spacer. He thrives in energy roles, using hustle plays, rebounding, and timely shot-making to swing games in his team’s favor.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Connaughton’s most memorable moments are his 2021 NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks, his 2024 NBA Cup title, and his career-high 43-point performance against the Detroit Pistons in April 2025. His appearance in the 2020 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, where he dunked over Christian Yelich, remains one of the most discussed moments of his career.
Pat Connaughton Career Wins
Across his professional career, Patrick Bergin Connaughton has collected significant team success, including an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 and an NBA Cup title in 2024. While he is not a high-volume individual scorer, his winning impact has come through consistent contributions in rotation roles for contending teams.
NBA Highlights
Connaughton’s first major NBA milestone came with the 2021 NBA championship, where he played a meaningful role in the Bucks’ Finals victory over the Phoenix Suns. He added the 2024 NBA Cup championship to his resume, capping a stretch of consistent team success. His most recent standout performance was his 43-point explosion against the Detroit Pistons on April 13, 2025, which set a new career high and demonstrated his offensive upside.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the NBA, Connaughton won an Atlantic Coast Conference basketball championship with Notre Dame in 2015, one of the highlights of his college career. He also earned Third-team All-ACC honors that same year, capping a strong senior season that helped launch his professional trajectory.
Pat Connaughton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Connaughton has spoken openly about the influence of his father, Len, in shaping his character and work ethic. Family adviser Sam Samardzija, brother of former San Francisco Giants pitcher Jeff Samardzija, has also been a key figure in Connaughton’s life, with Jeff himself a former Notre Dame baseball and football star who provided a clear model of multi-sport success.
Personal Life
Connaughton and professional soccer player Ryan Gareis announced their relationship in June 2023. In January 2024, the couple announced they were expecting a child, and they shared their engagement in February 2024. Their son was born in May 2024, and in June 2026, Pat and Gareis announced that they were married.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a transition year for Connaughton, beginning with his July 6 trade from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Charlotte Hornets. Joining a young Charlotte roster, he provided veteran presence and continued to deliver timely scoring, highlighted by his career-high 43-point performance in a 140–133 win over the Detroit Pistons on April 13, 2025. Across 41 appearances, he averaged 5.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, serving as a reliable bench option.
His role with the Hornets emphasized energy, shooting, and mentorship for the team’s developing core. Although Charlotte’s playoff outlook remained limited, Connaughton’s professionalism and production gave the franchise a steady veteran voice in the locker room. His production trended upward late in the year, suggesting continued value heading into the next phase of his contract.
Looking ahead, Connaughton’s re-signing with the Hornets on a two-year, $5.1 million deal in February 2026 signals organizational confidence in his long-term fit. The combination of his shooting, athleticism, and championship experience positions him as a stabilizing contributor for Charlotte’s continued rebuild, with the goal of remaining a high-impact role player on a team pushing toward the postseason.
