Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Pat Connaughton carved out a lasting NBA career by embracing every aspect of the role-player blueprint, from relentless hustle and timely shooting to energetic defense and athletic finishes above the rim. His versatility, championship experience, and willingness to impact games without demanding the spotlight have made him a trusted contributor wherever he’s played.

Here’s the detailed information about Pat Connaughton:

  • Full Name: Patrick Bergin Connaughton
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born January 6, 1993
  • Hometown: Arlington, Massachusetts, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 5 inches (196 cm)
  • Weight: 209 pounds (95 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 9 inches (206 cm)
  • Shoe Size: 12 (US Men’s)
  • Shoe Brand: Nike LeBron NXXT Gen, Nike KD 14, Nike KD 13, Nike Zoom Freak 1, Jordan Why Not Zer0.1, Nike Air Max Dominate
  • Jersey Number:
    • #24 — Notre Dame Fighting Irish (college)
    • #5 — Portland Trail Blazers
    • #24 — Milwaukee Bucks
    • #21 — Charlotte Hornets
  • Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward
  • High School: St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers, Massachusetts
  • College: University of Notre Dame (2011–2015)
  • NBA Draft: 2015, 2nd round, 41st overall pick by the Brooklyn Nets (traded to the Portland Trail Blazers)
  • Player Archetype: 3-and-D wing with secondary transition utility
  • Primary Offensive Role: Spot-up shooter, transition finisher, secondary cutter
  • Defensive Role: Perimeter wing defender guarding 2–3 positions
  • Play Style: Low-usage, high-efficiency role player; thrives off ball movement and spacing
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right
  • Athletic Profile: Above-average vertical explosiveness, strong straight-line speed, good body control
  • Recruiting Status: 3-star recruit (multi-sport athlete; also MLB draft pick)
  • Draft Status Detail: Draft rights traded from Brooklyn to Portland on draft night
  • Injury Status Category: Durable — generally available with intermittent minor injuries, no prolonged absences
  • Career Stage: Veteran role player
  • Comparison Style: Athletic floor-spacing wing with defensive utility
  • Comparable Players:
    • Wesley Matthews — 3-and-D wing with toughness
    • Danny Green — low-usage spacer with team defense value
    • Patty Mills — energy role player with shooting gravity (role overlap, not position)
  • Teams Played For:
    • Portland Trail Blazers (2015–2018)
    • Milwaukee Bucks (2018–2025)
    • Charlotte Hornets (2025–Present)
  • Championship Rings: 1 (with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021)
  • Parents: Leonard Connaughton, Susan Connaughton
  • Kids: None
  • Siblings: Unknown

Pat Connaughton’s archetype is that of a classic 3-and-D wing who complements stars without needing the ball, functioning primarily as a floor spacer and transition finisher while defending opposing perimeter threats. On defense, he takes on wing assignments and leverages his lateral mobility and vertical pop to contest shots and rebound above his size. Offensively, his role is straightforward—spot up beyond the arc, cut decisively, and run the floor—yet he executes it with precision, aided by strong leaping ability and disciplined positioning. Physically, he blends solid size for a guard-forward with above-average explosiveness, which shows up in both rebounding and weak-side rim contests. His overall play style is efficient and low-maintenance, built around spacing, energy, and situational impact rather than creation.

Scouting Report

Pat Connaughton is the kind of wing whose value becomes clearer the longer you watch instead of the longer you study the box score. The obvious part is the spot-up shooting, but what stands out to me is how often he keeps possessions alive by making the right cut after the initial action breaks down. He doesn’t just wait in the corner—he’ll slide along the baseline when the low man commits, relocate behind a driving teammate for a cleaner passing angle, or sprint into transition lanes knowing that even if he doesn’t receive the ball, he’ll force a defender to account for him. He attacks closeouts with purpose rather than flair, usually limiting himself to one or two dribbles before either finishing or making the simple read to the next open player. Defensively, Connaughton competes through anticipation and effort within the scheme. He’s quick to rotate in from the weak side to challenge at the rim, boxes out bigger forwards better than his frame suggests, and has a knack for tracking long rebounds that many wings simply watch bounce away. The trade-off is that he’s not a player who consistently creates advantages with the ball in his hands. Physical scorers can shoot over him, explosive guards can force him into recovery mode if he’s isolated, and asking him to orchestrate offense usually takes him away from the things he does best. His ideal role is alongside primary creators who demand help, allowing him to spend most of his possessions spacing the floor, attacking defensive rotations, and covering multiple off-ball assignments without carrying offensive responsibility. There are shades of Joe Ingles without the same playmaking volume, mixed with a little of Danny Green’s off-ball discipline, although Connaughton relies more on constant movement and secondary actions than simply parking beyond the arc. That’s easy to miss until you start noticing how many productive possessions begin with him doing something that never gets credited.

Sources:
Basketball Reference — Pat Connaughton Stats
NBA.com — Pat Connaughton Bio
ESPN — Pat Connaughton Profile