Jarred Vanderbilt

2.1. Early Life

Jarred Jakobi Vanderbilt was born on April 3, 1999, in Houston, Texas. He is the son of Gwendolyn and Robert Vanderbilt. His family has a strong basketball background, with his father having played at Wiley College and his mother at Xavier University of Louisiana. His older brother, Jamal, played at Texas-Tyler, and his older sister, Jenae, played at UTSA. He also has another older brother, Robert, and two more older sisters, Rean and Tasha.

2.2. High School Career

Vanderbilt attended Victory Prep Academy in Houston, Texas. During his senior year, he showcased exceptional all-around skills, averaging 28.5 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game. His impressive performance led to him being recognized as one of the top players in the 2017 recruiting class. Prominent scouting services like Scout.com, Rivals.com, and ESPN all ranked him as a five-star recruit. On December 23, 2016, Vanderbilt committed to play college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats. His high school accolades culminated in his selection as a McDonald's All-American.

2.3. College Career

Vanderbilt played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats during the 2017-2018 season. Despite being a highly-regarded recruit, his college career was significantly hampered by two separate injuries, limiting him to just 14 games played. During these appearances, he averaged 5.9 points and 7.9 rebounds in 17.0 minutes per game. Following the conclusion of his freshman season, Vanderbilt made the decision to declare for the 2018 NBA draft.

3.1. Denver Nuggets (2018-2020)

On June 21, 2018, Jarred Vanderbilt was selected by the Orlando Magic as the 41st overall pick in the second round of the 2018 NBA draft. However, his draft rights were subsequently traded to the Denver Nuggets. He officially signed with the Nuggets on July 11, 2018. Vanderbilt made his NBA debut on January 25, 2019, in a 132-95 victory over the Phoenix Suns. In four minutes of play, he contributed one point, three rebounds, an assist, and a steal. During his tenure with the Nuggets, Vanderbilt also had assignments to various G League teams, including the Delaware Blue Coats in 2019 and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and Windy City Bulls in 2020, to further develop his skills and gain playing time.

3.2. Minnesota Timberwolves (2020-2022)

On February 5, 2020, Vanderbilt was part of a major 12-player, four-team trade that sent him to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He made his debut for the Timberwolves on December 27, 2020, in a 127-91 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, recording two points, seven rebounds, six assists, three steals, and a block in 15 minutes. On January 23, 2021, Vanderbilt achieved a career-high 16 points along with 11 rebounds in a victory against the New Orleans Pelicans, showcasing his increasing impact.
On September 15, 2021, Vanderbilt re-signed with the Timberwolves on a three-year contract worth 13.80 M USD. He took on a significant role during the 2021-22 season, starting in 67 of the 74 games he played. He averaged career-highs of 6.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. On April 12, 2022, in a pivotal play-in game victory against the Los Angeles Clippers, Vanderbilt contributed significantly with 10 rebounds and 3 points, helping the Timberwolves secure a playoff spot. During his time in Minnesota, he also had an assignment to the Iowa Wolves of the G League in 2020.

3.3. Utah Jazz (2022-2023)

On July 6, 2022, Jarred Vanderbilt was involved in another significant trade, moving to the Utah Jazz. This deal, which notably sent Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves, saw Vanderbilt traded alongside Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Leandro Bolmaro, the draft rights to Walker Kessler, four future first-round picks, and a pick swap. He played a crucial role for the Jazz during the 2022-23 season, contributing significantly as a starter in 41 of his 52 games before being traded mid-season.

3.4. Los Angeles Lakers (2023-present)

On February 9, 2023, Vanderbilt was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a three-team trade that also involved the Minnesota Timberwolves and sent Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz. He made an immediate impact upon joining the Lakers, recording 12 points, eight rebounds, and four assists in a 109-103 win over the Golden State Warriors just two days after his trade.
Recognizing his valuable contributions, the Lakers agreed to a four-year, 48.00 M USD contract extension with Vanderbilt on September 18, 2023. This deal was fully guaranteed and included a player option in the fourth year, demonstrating the team's commitment to his long-term presence. On December 9, 2023, Vanderbilt and the Lakers made history by winning the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, marking a significant achievement in his career and for the franchise.

6.1. NBA

6.2. College