Trendon Watford Bio
Trendon Nelson Watford is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) power forward and small forward, he previously played for the Portland Trail Blazers and the Brooklyn Nets. He played college basketball for the LSU Tigers, where he earned All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) recognition before launching his professional career in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Trendon Nelson Watford was born on November 9, 2000, in Birmingham, Alabama, in the United States. He grew up in the Birmingham metro area and developed his basketball skills from an early age. Before settling with one high school program, Watford began his high school career at Shades Valley High School in Irondale, Alabama, while he was still attending Irondale Middle School.
His family later moved to Mountain Brook, Alabama, where Watford attended Mountain Brook High School from his freshman year through his senior year. At Mountain Brook, he became a highly touted five-star prospect and set the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s career rebounding record. He led the Spartans to three consecutive Class 7A state championships in 2017, 2018, and 2019, cementing his reputation as one of the top high school players in the state.
Path to Basketball
Watford’s path to high-level basketball was shaped by his dominant high school career. He was named Alabama Mr. Basketball in both 2018 and 2019, and he was selected as a McDonald’s All-American in 2019. Those honors placed him among the most decorated prep players in Alabama history and drew attention from college coaches across the country.
On May 20, 2019, Watford committed to play for head coach Will Wade at Louisiana State University (LSU). His combination of size, rebounding, and scoring touch made him an immediate contributor for the LSU Tigers, and he was expected to make an early impact in the Southeastern Conference.
Trendon Watford Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Watford made his LSU debut in an 88–79 win over Bowling Green, scoring 10 points, and he posted his first collegiate double-double on November 19, 2019, with 12 points and 12 rebounds against UMBC. He scored a career-high 22 points in a 69–67 win over Texas on January 25, 2020, and was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team after averaging 13.6 points and 7.2 rebounds as a freshman.
After initially declaring for the 2020 NBA draft, Watford withdrew and returned to LSU for his sophomore season. He scored a career-high 30 points in the SEC Tournament championship game loss to Alabama, and he averaged 16.3 points and 7.4 rebounds for the year. He was a first-team All-SEC selection by The Associated Press and a second-team All-SEC pick by the conference’s coaches in 2021. Following the season, Watford declared for the 2021 NBA draft and hired an agent, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
Portland Trail Blazers (2021–2023)
After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Trendon Watford signed a two-way contract with the Portland Trail Blazers on August 3, 2021. He earned a standard contract on February 21, 2022, after showing steady two-way production. On March 12, he scored a career-high 27 points with six rebounds in a 127–118 win over the Washington Wizards, giving the franchise a glimpse of his offensive upside.
In the 2022 NBA Summer League, Watford powered the Trail Blazers to the championship with 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one block in an 85–77 win over the New York Knicks. He was named the Summer League Championship Game MVP and earned a spot on the All-NBA Summer League Second Team. Portland waived him on June 30, 2023, opening the next chapter of his career.
Brooklyn Nets (2023–2025)
Trendon Watford signed with the Brooklyn Nets on August 3, 2023, bringing his versatile forward play to the Eastern Conference. He contributed as a rotation player, providing scoring, rebounding, and playmaking off the bench. On July 9, 2024, the Nets re-signed him, signaling their confidence in his development and his fit within the team’s system.
Philadelphia 76ers (2025–Present)
On July 2, 2025, Watford signed a two-year contract worth $5.3 million with the Philadelphia 76ers, joining a new contender in the Eastern Conference. He quickly became a contributor for the 76ers, providing depth at both the power forward and small forward positions. On November 8, 2025, he recorded his first career triple-double with 20 points, 10 assists, and 17 rebounds in a 130–120 win over the Toronto Raptors, showcasing the all-around game that had defined his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Watford’s career has been marked by several signature moments, including his 2022 NBA Summer League Championship Game MVP award with the Portland Trail Blazers and his first NBA triple-double with the Philadelphia 76ers. He has been recognized as a two-time Alabama Mr. Basketball, a McDonald’s All-American, and a first-team All-SEC performer, building a résumé that reflects steady progression at every level of the game.
Trendon Watford Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Trendon Watford comes from a family with a strong basketball background. He is the younger brother of Christian Watford, a former professional basketball player. The influence of his older brother helped shape his early approach to the game and contributed to his development into a Division I recruit and eventual NBA professional.
Personal Life
Watford grew up in the Birmingham, Alabama, area, where he attended Mountain Brook High School before moving on to LSU and then to the NBA. He has continued to build his professional career in the United States, playing for franchises in Portland, Brooklyn, and Philadelphia.
2025 Season Performance
Trendon Watford’s 2025 campaign began with his free-agent signing of a two-year, $5.3 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers on July 2, 2025. Joining a 76ers team with championship aspirations, he was positioned to add frontcourt depth and playmaking alongside the established core. His early-season contributions helped the 76ers maintain a competitive rotation in the Eastern Conference.
A highlight of the season came on November 8, 2025, when Watford posted his first career triple-double, finishing with 20 points, 10 assists, and 17 rebounds in a 130–120 win over the Toronto Raptors. That performance underscored his growth into a well-rounded contributor and signaled an encouraging outlook for the remainder of the 2025 season.
