Last Updated on April 17, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
Here’s a detailed profile of basketballer Jaden McDaniels:
Player Profile
- Full Name: Jaden Tyree McDaniels
- Nationality: American
- Age: Born September 29, 2000
- Hometown: Federal Way, Washington, USA
- Height: 6’9″ (2.06 m)
- Weight: 185 lbs (84 kg)
- Wingspan: 7’0″ (2.13 m)
- Shoe Size: Size 16 (US)
- Number: #3
- Position: Small Forward / Power Forward
- High School: Federal Way High School (Federal Way, Washington)
- College: University of Washington (2019–2020)
- NBA Draft: 2020, 1st round, 28th overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers (rights traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Teams Played For:
- Minnesota Timberwolves (2020–present)
- Championship Rings: None (as of 2024)
- Kids: None
- Siblings:
- Jalen McDaniels (older brother, also an NBA player for the Toronto Raptors).
Player Archetype / Play Style
Jaden McDaniels’ player archetype is that of a long, defense-first two-way wing: a rangy perimeter stopper who takes difficult assignments, disrupts actions across multiple positions, and fits offensively as a complementary scorer rather than a primary creator. At 6-foot-9 with a lean frame and notable length, he uses his mobility, reach, and agility to smother wings and guards at the point of attack, while on offense he does his best work as a cutter, spot-up threat, transition finisher, and opportunistic straight-line attacker who can punish openings without needing the ball to dominate possessions. (Yahoo Sports)
Player Insights
Jaden McDaniels has been handed a larger role in the offense this season and is playing ahead of the veteran Joe Ingles. With Jaden McDaniels as the starting Small Forward for the T-wolves, he has the potential to finish the season as a top 50 most valuable player. That said, the T-wolves still have Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and Julius Randle commanding plenty of the ball. 1/26/2025
Sources:
Sports Yahoo — Timberwolves’ Jaden McDaniels is the elite defender you need to know more about
NBADraft.net — Jaden McDaniels
Minnesota Timberwolves / NBA — 2020 NBA Draft Profile: Jaden McDaniels
NBA — Jaden McDaniels | Forward | Minnesota Timberwolves