Last Updated on April 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here are the details for JaVale McGee:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: JaVale Lindy McGee
  • Nickname: “JaVale,” “Big Daddy Wookie,” “Three-Time”
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: January 19, 1988
  • Hometown: Flint, Michigan, USA
  • Height: 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
  • Weight: 270 lb (122 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m)
  • Shoe Size: 18 (US)
  • Jersey Number (college and NBA):
    • #34 — Nevada (2006–2008)
    • #34 — Washington Wizards (2008–2012)
    • #34 — Denver Nuggets (2012–2015)
    • #1 — Philadelphia 76ers (2015)
    • #21 — Dallas Mavericks (2015–2016)
    • #1 — Golden State Warriors (2016–2018)
    • #7 — Los Angeles Lakers (2018–2020)
    • #7 — Cleveland Cavaliers (2020–2021)
    • #7 — Denver Nuggets (2021)
    • #00 — Phoenix Suns (2021–2022)
    • #00 — Dallas Mavericks (2022–2023)
    • #7 — Sacramento Kings (2023–2024)
  • Position: Center
  • High School: Hales Franciscan (Chicago, Illinois)
  • College: Nevada (2006–2008)
  • NBA Draft: 2008 — 1st Round, Pick #18 — Washington Wizards
  • Player Archetype: Rim-running shot-blocking center
  • Primary Offensive Role: Vertical spacer, lob finisher, dunker-spot big, offensive rebounder
  • Defensive Role: Weak-side rim protector, paint anchor in drop coverage, shot deterrent
  • Play Style: High-energy interior big who sprints the floor, finishes above the rim, blocks shots, and plays in short bursts with limited self-creation
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right-handed
  • Athletic Profile: Elite length, explosive leaping ability, quick off the floor, high vertical for a 7-footer, good straight-line speed
  • Recruiting Status: 3-star recruit (2006), lightly recruited major-conference prospect
  • Draft Status: Early entry sophomore
  • Draft Status Detail: Declared after two seasons at Nevada following strong shot-blocking and efficiency metrics
  • Injury Status Category: Veteran durability management / minor recurring knee and conditioning-related absences late career
  • Career Stage: Late-career veteran / reserve big specialist
  • Comparison Style: Tyson Chandler–style rim runner with shot-blocking emphasis
  • Teams Played For:
    • Washington Wizards (2008–2012)
    • Denver Nuggets (2012–2015)
    • Philadelphia 76ers (2015)
    • Dallas Mavericks (2015–2016)
    • Golden State Warriors (2016–2018)
    • Los Angeles Lakers (2018–2020)
    • Cleveland Cavaliers (2020–2021)
    • Denver Nuggets (2021)
    • Phoenix Suns (2021–2022)
    • Dallas Mavericks (2022–2023)
    • Sacramento Kings (2023–2024)
  • Championship Rings: 3 (Golden State Warriors 2017, 2018; Los Angeles Lakers 2020)
  • Parents:
    • Mother: Pamela McGee (WNBA/Olympic gold medalist)
    • Father: George Montgomery
  • Children:
    • Daughter: Genevieve Gray McGee
  • Siblings: None publicly documented
  • Athlete Relatives:
    • Mother: Pamela McGee — Olympic gold medalist (1984), WNBA player
  • Retirement Age: Not officially retired (active into mid-30s; projected ~36–38 typical)
  • Retirement Year: Not yet retired (TBD)

JaVale McGee fits the player archetype of a rim-running shot-blocking center, impacting games primarily as a vertical spacer on offense and a paint deterrent on defense. Defensively, he functions as a weak-side rim protector who relies on length and timing to contest shots, block attempts at the basket, and clean up misses while generally playing in drop coverage. Offensively, McGee operates as a low-usage finisher, thriving on lob passes, dump-offs, and putbacks rather than self-created scoring, with most of his production coming within a few feet of the rim. Physically, he brings elite size, long arms, and above-average leaping ability for a seven-footer, allowing him to play above the rim and change shots despite limited perimeter mobility. Overall, his play style centers on energy minutes, vertical spacing, and interior defense, providing efficient finishing and shot blocking without needing touches or complex offensive responsibilities.

Sources:
NBA.com — JaVale McGee provides energy, rim protection in Warriors’ center rotation
Bleacher Report — JaVale McGee Scouting Report: Strengths, Weaknesses and NBA Outlook
SB Nation — JaVale McGee gives Warriors exactly what they need at center