1. Early Life and Education
Khris Middleton's formative years were spent in Charleston, South Carolina, where he developed his passion and skills for basketball, supported by a family with a strong athletic background.
1.1. Childhood and Family
Middleton was born on August 12, 1991, in Charleston, South Carolina, to James and Nichelle Middleton. He has an older sister named Brittney. Basketball runs in his family; his cousin, Josh Powell, played in the NBA and won two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010. Another cousin, Kenny Manigault, played college basketball for Wichita State University and was a teammate of Middleton on the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team, the Carolina Celtics. Two other teammates from the Carolina Celtics, Jamal Curry (Radford) and Devin Booker (Clemson), also went on to receive Division I basketball scholarships.
1.2. High School Career
Middleton attended Porter-Gaud School in Charleston, South Carolina, where he played for the Cyclones under coach John Pearson. As a sophomore, he averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds per game. In his junior season, Middleton's performance significantly improved, averaging 21 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, earning him the state player of the year award. He repeated this honor in his senior year, scoring 22.4 points and grabbing 8.6 rebounds per game, leading Porter-Gaud to the state title game. He was also named Most Valuable Player of the Porter-Gaud Holiday Classic, scoring 22 points in the championship. Middleton was nominated for the 2009 McDonald's All-American Boys Game but was not selected.
ESPN ranked him as the 64th-best prospect in the Class of 2009, highlighting him as the best shooter at his position. Middleton was highly recruited by several NCAA Division I schools, including Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Michigan, and Saint Joseph's. He ultimately chose Texas A&M, signing with the Aggies on May 30, 2008, drawn by the college town atmosphere and his strong rapport with the coaching staff.
1.3. College Career
Middleton's college career at Texas A&M University spanned three seasons, during which he steadily grew into a prominent player despite facing early challenges and team transitions.
1.3.1. Freshman Year
Middleton was recruited to Texas A&M by then-assistant coach Scott Spinelli. Entering his freshman year, he was expected to fill the team's need for three-point shooting following the departure of senior Josh Carter. His college career began slowly, as he made only 1-of-12 field goals in limited minutes during his first three games. However, a season-ending leg injury to teammate Derrick Roland on December 11, 2009, forced Middleton into a larger offensive role, leading him to start 18 of the team's final 20 games. On February 3, 2010, he scored 16 points to help Texas A&M overcome an 11-point second-half deficit to defeat Missouri 77-74. In a 69-53 victory over Utah State in the NCAA Tournament Round of 64, Middleton scored a season-high 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting. The Aggies' season concluded with a loss to Purdue in the Round of 32, finishing with a 24-10 record. Overall, Middleton averaged 7.2 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, leading the team in scoring five times.
1.3.2. Sophomore Year
In his sophomore season, Middleton emerged as a key offensive force, leading the team and finishing ninth in the Big 12 Conference in scoring with 14.3 points per game, while also contributing 5.2 rebounds per game. He shot 45 percent from the field and 78.4 percent from the free throw line. Middleton scored over 10 points in 27 games and led the team in scoring 16 times. He achieved a career-high 31 points in a 71-62 overtime victory against Arkansas, including 11 of the team's final 12 points in regulation. This performance earned him Big 12 Player of the Week and Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week honors for December 13-19, 2010. On January 15, 2011, Middleton tallied 28 points, with 11 coming in overtime, to defeat Missouri 91-89.
Texas A&M finished the season with a 24-9 record but lost in the NCAA Tournament Round of 64 to Florida State 57-50, a game in which Middleton scored 16 points. At the conclusion of the regular season, he was selected to the All-Big 12 Second Team. The U.S. Basketball Writers Association named Middleton to the 10-man All-District VII team, covering players in Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana. He was also recognized as an All-Eighth District second-team selection by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, making him eligible for the State Farm Division I All-America teams.
1.3.3. Junior Year
Before Middleton's junior season, head coach Mark Turgeon departed for the University of Maryland, and Billy Kennedy from Murray State was appointed as the new head coach. Middleton was impressed by Kennedy's coaching style and decided to remain with the Aggies. He was included on the preseason watchlist for the Wooden Award and was a unanimous choice for the preseason All-Big 12 team.
Despite being the preseason co-favorite in the league, Texas A&M struggled, finishing with an overall record of 14-18 and 4-14 in the Big 12. The team was significantly hampered by numerous injuries, including a knee injury that forced Middleton to miss 12 games. His averages declined from the previous season, finishing with 13.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. On April 9, 2012, Middleton declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final season of collegiate eligibility, and expressed his gratitude to Texas A&M in a statement.
2. Professional Career
Khris Middleton's professional journey began with a brief stint in Detroit before he found his stride and became a cornerstone player for the Milwaukee Bucks, culminating in an NBA championship.
2.1. NBA Draft and Detroit Pistons (2012-2013)
Middleton was selected by the Detroit Pistons with the 39th overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft. On August 15, 2012, he signed his rookie-scale contract with the Pistons. During his rookie season, he saw limited action and was assigned to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League (now known as the NBA G League) on December 12, 2012. He was recalled by the Pistons a week later. Middleton finished his rookie season having played just 27 games for the Pistons, averaging 6.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 17.6 minutes per game.
2.2. Milwaukee Bucks (2013-2025)
Middleton's tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks marked his transformation from a role player to an All-Star and an NBA champion, despite facing several significant injury setbacks.
2.2.1. Debut and Growth (2013-2017)
On July 31, 2013, Middleton was traded, along with Brandon Knight and Viacheslav Kravtsov, to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for guard Brandon Jennings. This trade proved to be a pivotal moment for Middleton's career. In stark contrast to his limited playing time with the Pistons, Middleton played all 82 games for the Bucks in the 2013-14 season, starting 64 of them and averaging 12.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 steals in 30.0 minutes per game. On December 6, 2013, he scored a then-career-high 29 points in a 109-105 victory over the Washington Wizards.
In the 2014-15 season, Middleton continued to develop, emerging as an important "3-and-D" player, known for his proficiency in three-point shooting and defense. On December 15, 2014, with the Bucks trailing the Phoenix Suns by one point with under four seconds remaining, Middleton hit a contested game-winning buzzer-beater to secure a 96-94 victory, finishing with 14 points. On March 7, 2015, he set a new career-high with 30 points on 11-of-20 shooting in a 91-85 win over the Washington Wizards. He also hit another game-winning three-pointer against the Miami Heat on March 24, 2015, saving the team from a six-game losing streak. For the season, he averaged 13.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from beyond the three-point arc.
On July 9, 2015, Middleton re-signed with the Bucks on a five-year, 70.00 M USD contract, which included a player option for the fifth year, marking a significant increase from his previous salary of 915.00 K USD. In the 2015-16 season, he continued to improve. On December 29, 2015, he scored a career-high 36 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder, making 13-of-22 field goals and 6-of-9 three-pointers. On March 4, 2016, in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, he scored 32 points on 11-of-16 shooting, including 8-of-9 from three-point range, marking the most three-point field goals made by a Bucks player since Carlos Delfino in 2011. He tied his career high of 36 points on April 10, 2016, in a 109-108 overtime win against the Philadelphia 76ers. He finished the season averaging 18.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.7 steals in 36.1 minutes per game.
The 2016-17 season was significantly impacted by injury. On September 21, 2016, Middleton was ruled out for six months after sustaining a left hamstring injury during preseason workouts that required surgery, causing him to miss the majority of the season. He made his season debut on February 8, 2017, after missing the first 50 games, scoring 5 points in 15 minutes in a 106-88 loss to the Miami Heat. On March 17, 2017, he scored 14 of his season-high 30 points in the fourth quarter of the Bucks' 107-103 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
2.2.2. All-Star Selections and Peak Performance (2018-2021)
Middleton's performance elevated him to All-Star status, and he became a crucial co-star alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, leading the Bucks to significant team success.
In the 2017-18 season, Middleton had a breakthrough year. On November 1, 2017, he scored a then-career-high 43 points in a 126-121 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. On November 22, 2017, he scored 40 points in a 113-107 overtime win over the Phoenix Suns. On January 20, 2018, he recorded his first career triple-double with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 116-94 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. He played all 82 games, averaging 36.4 minutes, 20.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, marking his first season averaging over 20 points. In Game 1 of the Bucks' first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, Middleton had 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists in a 113-107 overtime loss. Despite his 32 points in a 112-96 loss in Game 7, the Bucks were eliminated from the series in seven games. Throughout the series, Middleton made 25 three-pointers with a 61% success rate, averaging 24.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, leading the team alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The 2018-19 season saw Middleton earn his first All-Star selection. On October 22, 2018, he made 7 of 8 three-pointers and finished with 30 points in a 124-113 win over the New York Knicks. On December 29, despite a quad injury, Middleton scored 29 points in a 129-115 win over the Brooklyn Nets. On January 31, 2019, he was named an Eastern Conference All-Star reserve, becoming the first G League alumnus to be selected as an All-Star. On February 21, 2019, he had 15 points and a season-high 13 rebounds in a 98-97 win over the Celtics. On March 28, he scored a season-high 39 points in a 128-118 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. For the season, he averaged 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 31.1 minutes per game across 77 games. In the playoffs, the Bucks defeated the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics before falling to the Toronto Raptors in the Conference Finals, 2-4.
Following the 2018-19 season, Middleton signed a five-year, 178.00 M USD contract extension with Milwaukee. In the 2019-20 season, on January 28, 2020, Middleton set a new career high, scoring 51 points on 16-of-26 shooting, including 7-of-10 from three-point range, in a 151-131 victory over the Washington Wizards. After the game, Middleton dedicated his performance to Kobe Bryant, who had died two days prior in a helicopter crash, stating, "I definitely can dedicate that game to him as a thank you for what he did for the game." On January 30, 2020, Middleton was named an Eastern Conference All-Star reserve for the second consecutive season. On February 24, Middleton scored 40 points in a 137-134 overtime win over the Wizards. He missed a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 28 due to neck soreness. For the season, he averaged 20.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 29.9 minutes per game, with impressive shooting percentages of 49.7% from the field, 41.5% from three-point range, and 91.6% from the free-throw line, narrowly missing the 50-40-90 club. In the postseason, the Bucks were eliminated by the eventual Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat in five games. Middleton scored a playoff career-high 36 points, along with 8 rebounds and 8 assists, in the Bucks' lone victory in Game 4, a game in which Giannis Antetokounmpo was injured and unable to play in Game 5.
2.2.3. Injuries and Comebacks (2021-2024)
Following the championship, Middleton continued to be a vital player for the Bucks, though his seasons were often marked by injuries and subsequent returns to form.
In the first game of the 2021-22 NBA season, Middleton scored 20 points and recorded 9 rebounds in a 127-104 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. On November 1, Middleton entered the NBA's health and safety protocol after testing positive for COVID-19, missing eight games. He returned on November 17 against the Lakers, scoring 16 points and notching 6 assists, tying Ray Allen for the most made three-pointers in Milwaukee Bucks history. In the next game, on November 19 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he surpassed Allen with his first shot in a 96-89 victory. On December 13, Middleton hyperextended his knee in a loss against the Boston Celtics, missing the following three games. On January 22, 2022, Middleton led the Bucks to a 133-127 win over the Sacramento Kings with a then-season-high 34 points. On February 3, he was selected as an All-Star for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game, his third selection. On March 6, Middleton scored a season-high 44 points along with 8 rebounds and 5 assists in a 132-122 win against the Phoenix Suns. On April 20, in a Game 2 loss during Milwaukee's first-round postseason matchup against the Chicago Bulls, Middleton suffered a medial collateral ligament sprain, which sidelined him for the remainder of the playoffs. The Bucks defeated the Bulls in five games but lost the Eastern Conference Semifinals to the Celtics in seven games, with many noting Middleton's absence as a significant factor.
On December 3, 2022, Middleton made his return after missing the first twenty games of the 2022-23 NBA season while recovering from off-season wrist surgery, finishing with 17 points and 7 assists during a 133-129 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Throughout December and January, Middleton missed eighteen consecutive games due to knee soreness. On February 4, 2023, Middleton recorded 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists in 20 minutes off the bench in a 123-115 win over the Miami Heat. On March 13, Middleton scored a then-season-high 31 points and delivered 9 assists in a 133-124 win over the Sacramento Kings. On March 27, Middleton scored a season-high 34 points, along with 8 rebounds and 5 assists in a 126-117 win over the Detroit Pistons. On April 16, in the opening game of the playoffs, Middleton posted 33 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists in a 130-117 loss against the Miami Heat. In Game 5 of the series, Middleton scored 33 points, along with 6 rebounds and 6 assists, but despite his effort, the Milwaukee Bucks lost 128-126 in overtime to the Heat, eliminating them from the playoffs.
On July 6, 2023, Middleton re-signed with the Bucks on a three-year, 102.00 M USD contract. On November 20, Middleton scored 18 points during a 142-129 win over the Washington Wizards, surpassing Sidney Moncrief to become the fourth-all-time leading scorer in Bucks franchise history. On January 22, 2024, Middleton put up 26 points in a 122-113 win over the Detroit Pistons, passing Glenn Robinson to become the third-all-time leading scorer in Bucks franchise history. In February and March, Middleton missed 16 consecutive games due to an ankle sprain. On March 24, Middleton recorded his second career triple-double, with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists during a 118-93 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. On April 26, Middleton recorded a playoff career-best 42 points, while adding 10 rebounds and 5 assists, during an overtime 121-118 first-round loss to the Indiana Pacers in Game 3.
2.2.4. 2024-25 Season
Over the offseason, Middleton underwent arthroscopic surgeries on both ankles. The left ankle surgery was related to a sprain endured during a February 6 game against the Phoenix Suns, while the right ankle surgery was a cleanup for a lingering issue. Following the surgeries, he was initially expected to be ready for the season opener. However, on October 21, it was announced that Middleton would miss the season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers as he continued to rehabilitate from the surgeries. He made his season debut on December 6, 2024, against the Boston Celtics.
2.3. Washington Wizards (2025-present)
On February 6, 2025, Middleton was traded to the Washington Wizards as part of a four-team trade. He made his Wizards debut on February 21, putting up 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in a 104-101 loss to his former team, the Milwaukee Bucks.
3. National Team Career
Middleton has represented the United States men's national basketball team in international competition. He was a member of the U.S. Olympic team that competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, which were held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the Olympics, Middleton played a key role in helping Team USA win the gold medal, defeating France in the final.
4. Play Style
Khris Middleton is primarily known as a versatile swingman capable of scoring both inside and from beyond the arc. He excels at outside shooting, with his three-point percentage often exceeding 40%. While his defense was initially considered an area for improvement, it significantly developed after his move to the Bucks, particularly under the guidance of then-head coach Jason Kidd. This defensive improvement, combined with his offensive prowess, made him a highly valued "3-and-D" player. Given the Bucks' roster composition, Middleton's contributions on both ends of the court were crucial. In February 2015, columnist Michael Pina described him as one of the most underrated players in the NBA. His wingspan measures 83 in (210 cm).
5. Personal Life
Middleton is a Christian. He is cousins with former NBA player Josh Powell.
On July 7, 2015, Middleton wrote a column in The Players' Tribune reflecting on the Charleston church shooting. He explained that the tragedy deeply affected him because he grew up in Charleston, and his grandmother, Juanita, knew four of the nine victims. Middleton himself had met one of the victims, Cynthia Graham Hurd, when she dropped her nephew off at a basketball camp shortly before the shooting. He wrote, "In Charleston, we're staying strong, but the wounds are still deep."
On April 23, 2019, Middleton and his girlfriend welcomed their first daughter. To be present for the birth, Middleton flew to Milwaukee with Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry immediately after a playoff win over the Detroit Pistons.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on arena staff, Middleton announced on March 13, 2020, that he would match Giannis Antetokounmpo's 100.00 K USD donation to the staff of the Fiserv Forum who were unable to work during the suspension of the 2019-20 NBA season.
On April 8, 2021, it was announced that Middleton had joined the ownership group of the Brisbane Bullets, a professional basketball team based in Australia.
6. Career Statistics
Middleton's career statistics reflect his consistent performance and growth across his high school, college, and NBA careers.
6.1. NBA
6.1.1. Regular season
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Detroit | 27 | 0 | 17.6 | .440 | .311 | .844 | 1.9 | 1.0 | .6 | .1 | 6.1 |
| 2013 | Milwaukee | 82 | 64 | 30.0 | .440 | .414 | .861 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.0 | .2 | 12.1 |
| 2014 | Milwaukee | 79 | 58 | 30.1 | .467 | .407 | .859 | 4.4 | 2.3 | 1.5 | .1 | 13.4 |
| 2015 | Milwaukee | 79 | 79 | 36.1 | .444 | .396 | .888 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 1.7 | .2 | 18.2 |
| 2016 | Milwaukee | 29 | 23 | 30.7 | .450 | .433 | .880 | 4.2 | 3.4 | 1.4 | .2 | 14.7 |
| 2017 | Milwaukee | 82* | 82* | 36.4 | .466 | .359 | .884 | 5.2 | 4.0 | 1.5 | .3 | 20.1 |
| 2018 | Milwaukee | 77 | 77 | 31.1 | .441 | .378 | .837 | 6.0 | 4.3 | 1.0 | .1 | 18.3 |
| 2019 | Milwaukee | 62 | 59 | 29.9 | .497 | .415 | .916 | 6.2 | 4.3 | .9 | .1 | 20.9 |
| 2020† | Milwaukee | 68 | 68 | 33.4 | .476 | .414 | .898 | 6.0 | 5.4 | 1.1 | .1 | 20.4 |
| 2021 | Milwaukee | 66 | 66 | 32.4 | .443 | .373 | .890 | 5.4 | 5.4 | 1.2 | .3 | 20.1 |
| 2022 | Milwaukee | 33 | 19 | 24.3 | .436 | .315 | .902 | 4.2 | 4.9 | .7 | .2 | 15.1 |
| 2023 | Milwaukee | 55 | 55 | 27.0 | .493 | .381 | .833 | 4.7 | 5.3 | .9 | .3 | 15.1 |
| 2024 | Milwaukee | 23 | 7 | 23.2 | .512 | .407 | .848 | 3.7 | 4.4 | .7 | .2 | 12.6 |
| Career | 762 | 657 | 30.9 | .461 | .388 | .879 | 4.8 | 4.0 | 1.2 | .2 | 16.7 | |
| All-Star | 3 | 0 | 21.8 | .357 | .400 | 1.000 | 3.7 | 2.7 | .0 | .0 | 10.0 | |
6.1.2. Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Milwaukee | 6 | 6 | 38.7 | .380 | .324 | .933 | 3.7 | 2.0 | 2.3 | .5 | 15.8 |
| 2017 | Milwaukee | 6 | 6 | 38.5 | .397 | .368 | .818 | 4.7 | 5.3 | 2.0 | .0 | 14.5 |
| 2018 | Milwaukee | 7 | 7 | 39.3 | .598 | .610 | .737 | 5.1 | 3.1 | .9 | .7 | 24.7 |
| 2019 | Milwaukee | 15 | 15 | 34.4 | .418 | .435 | .835 | 6.3 | 4.4 | .6 | .0 | 16.9 |
| 2020 | Milwaukee | 10 | 10 | 35.5 | .394 | .354 | .826 | 6.9 | 6.0 | 1.1 | .2 | 20.3 |
| 2021† | Milwaukee | 23 | 23 | 40.1 | .438 | .343 | .887 | 7.6 | 5.1 | 1.5 | .2 | 23.6 |
| 2022 | Milwaukee | 2 | 2 | 35.7 | .417 | .429 | 1.000 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 1.5 | .0 | 14.5 |
| 2023 | Milwaukee | 5 | 5 | 34.6 | .465 | .406 | .867 | 6.4 | 6.2 | .6 | .0 | 23.8 |
| 2024 | Milwaukee | 6 | 6 | 38.3 | .482 | .355 | .900 | 9.2 | 4.7 | .5 | .2 | 24.7 |
| Career | 80 | 80 | 37.6 | .441 | .390 | .866 | 6.5 | 4.8 | 1.2 | .2 | 20.6 | |
6.2. College
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-10 | Texas A&M | 34 | 22 | 20.9 | .416 | .324 | .750 | 3.7 | 1.1 | .9 | .3 | 7.2 |
| 2010-11 | Texas A&M | 33 | 33 | 29.6 | .450 | .361 | .784 | 5.2 | 2.8 | 1.2 | .1 | 14.3 |
| 2011-12 | Texas A&M | 20 | 17 | 28.8 | .415 | .260 | .750 | 5.0 | 2.3 | 1.0 | .3 | 13.2 |
| Career | 87 | 72 | 26.0 | .431 | .321 | .768 | 4.6 | 2.0 | 1.0 | .2 | 11.3 | |
7. Awards and Honors
Middleton has received numerous accolades throughout his career, highlighting his impact on both the NBA and international basketball.
- NBA champion (2021)
- 3× NBA All-Star (2019, 2020, 2022)
- All-Big 12 Second Team (2011)
- Olympic Gold Medal (2020 Summer Olympics, held in 2021)