Zachary Thomas LaVine Bio
Zachary Thomas LaVine is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected in the first round of the 2014 NBA draft with the 13th overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves. A two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion, he was named an NBA All-Star with the Chicago Bulls in 2021 and 2022. He also won a gold medal on the 2020 U.S. Olympic team in Tokyo.
Early Life and Background
LaVine was born on March 10, 1995, in the Seattle, Washington suburb of Renton. His father, Paul LaVine, played American football professionally in the United States Football League (USFL) and National Football League (NFL), and his mother, CJ LaVine, was a softball player. Around the age of five, LaVine developed an interest in basketball after watching Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan in the film Space Jam. Later, he also became a fan of Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, and modeled his game after his childhood idols.
LaVine practiced playing basketball in the family backyard, where his father had him repeatedly emulate the NBA Three-Point Shootout competition. He attended Bothell High School in Bothell, Washington, playing point guard as the team’s primary ball handler. By his junior year, he had grown to 6 feet 3 inches, and he practiced dunking for hours in his backyard after his shooting routine would end.
College Career at UCLA
On June 20, 2012, LaVine verbally committed to attending the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), playing for coach Ben Howland for the 2013 season. After Howland was fired nine months later, LaVine considered staying in-state and attending the University of Washington instead. However, he decided to remain with UCLA and their new coach, Steve Alford, having inherited an affection for UCLA from his father, who grew up a fan of Bruins basketball while growing up in nearby San Bernardino, California.
After a strong start to the 2013-14 season as the team’s sixth man, featuring impressive displays of outside shooting and explosive dunks, NBA draft pundits began ranking LaVine high on their projections for the 2014 NBA draft. ESPN.com draft expert Chad Ford attributed LaVine’s appeal to comparisons with former Bruin Russell Westbrook, projecting him as high as the 10th overall pick. During the season, LaVine averaged 9.4 points per game, fourth best on the team, and his 48 three-point field goals made were the second most by a freshman in school history. He was voted to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team and was named the team’s most valuable freshman. On April 16, 2014, he declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final three years of college eligibility.
Zachary Thomas LaVine Career
Minnesota Timberwolves (2014–2017)
LaVine was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 13th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft and signed his rookie scale contract on July 8, 2014. Over the first five games of the 2014-15 season, LaVine played limited minutes, but when an ankle injury sidelined starter Ricky Rubio indefinitely, LaVine became the starting point guard over veteran Mo Williams. On December 6 against the San Antonio Spurs, LaVine had 22 points and 10 assists for his first double-double.
LaVine won the Slam Dunk Contest during the 2015 NBA All-Star Weekend, becoming the youngest champion since an 18-year-old Kobe Bryant in 1997. He scored a perfect 50 on each of his first two dunks, becoming the first player since Dwight Howard in 2009 with a perfect score on multiple dunks, triumphing over Giannis Antetokounmpo. For the season, LaVine played in 77 games, starting in 40, and averaged 10.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
During the 2016 All-Star Weekend, LaVine scored 30 points for Team USA in the Rising Stars Challenge to capture MVP honors. He also became the fourth player ever to win consecutive Slam Dunk Contests, with the final round against Aaron Gordon drawing comparisons to the classic contest between Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins in 1988. On October 24, 2016, the Timberwolves exercised their fourth-year team option on LaVine’s contract. On February 4, 2017, LaVine was ruled out for the rest of the season after an MRI revealed he had a torn ACL in his left knee, and he underwent successful surgery ten days later.
Chicago Bulls Era (2017–2025)
On June 22, 2017, LaVine was traded to the Chicago Bulls along with Kris Dunn and the rights to Lauri Markkanen in exchange for Jimmy Butler. On January 13, 2018, in his first game in 11 months following his ACL rehabilitation, LaVine scored 14 points in the Bulls’ 107-105 win over the Detroit Pistons. On July 6, 2018, the restricted free agent LaVine received a four-year, $80 million offer sheet from the Sacramento Kings, which the Bulls matched two days later.
LaVine emerged as an elite scorer during the 2018-19 season. On November 5, 2018, he scored a then-career-high 41 points, including the game-winning free throw with 0.2 seconds left, as the Bulls beat the New York Knicks 116-115 in double overtime. On February 23, 2019, he scored a then-career-high 42 points in a win over the Boston Celtics. On March 1, 2019, he scored 47 points in a 168-161 quadruple-overtime win over the Atlanta Hawks, the third-highest-scoring game in NBA history. He led the Bulls in points scored that season with 1,492 points while playing in only 63 games.
During the 2019-20 season, LaVine continued his scoring prowess, scoring a career-high 49 points on November 23, 2019, including the game-winning three-pointer to defeat the Charlotte Hornets 116-115. He was the leading scorer in 42 of the 65 games played in the shortened season. On February 10, 2021, LaVine scored a season-high 46 points with nine 3-pointers in a victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. On February 24, 2021, he was named a reserve for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, his first All-Star selection and the first Bulls player selected since Jimmy Butler in 2017. For the season, he averaged a career-high 27.4 points per game, ranking seventh in the NBA.
On February 3, 2022, LaVine was named a reserve for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game. He dealt with a troublesome knee during the season yet still appeared in his most games since his ACL tear in 2017. The Bulls qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2017, giving LaVine his first career postseason appearance after eight seasons. On April 24, during Game 4 of the first round against the Milwaukee Bucks, he posted 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 13 assists. On July 7, LaVine re-signed with the Bulls on a new five-year max contract.
On October 28, 2023, LaVine put up a career-high 51 points in a loss to the Detroit Pistons. In February 2024, the Chicago Bulls announced that LaVine would undergo season-ending surgery on his right foot. On November 29, 2024, LaVine achieved 1,051 three-pointers made as a Bull, surpassing Kirk Hinrich as the all-time leader in three-pointers made in Bulls franchise history.
Sacramento Kings (2025–Present)
On February 3, 2025, LaVine was traded to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team deal also involving the San Antonio Spurs. He joined a Kings team looking to build around his scoring ability and athletic prowess. On February 24, LaVine scored a season-high 42 points on 16-of-19 shooting and 8-of-9 from three-point range in a 130-88 win over the Charlotte Hornets, showcasing the form that made him a two-time All-Star.
LaVine made 39 appearances (36 starts) for Sacramento during the 2025-26 season, averaging 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. His scoring average remained solid as he integrated into the Kings’ offensive system. On February 13, 2026, it was announced that LaVine would require season-ending surgery to repair a tendon injury in his right hand, ending his campaign prematurely.
Playing Style and Strengths
LaVine is known for his exceptional athleticism, particularly his vertical leap and dunking ability, which earned him back-to-back Slam Dunk Contest championships in 2015 and 2016. He developed into an elite three-point shooter, ranking among the league’s best from beyond the arc. His scoring repertoire includes pull-up jumpers, catch-and-shoot opportunities, and explosive drives to the basket. LaVine’s ability to score in bunches was demonstrated throughout his career with multiple 40-point and 50-point games.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, LaVine has achieved numerous milestones. His back-to-back Slam Dunk Contest victories placed him among the competition’s greatest winners. His 47-point game against the Atlanta Hawks in March 2019 remains one of the highest-scoring performances in NBA history. In October 2023, he set a new career high with 51 points against the Detroit Pistons. With the Bulls, he became the franchise’s all-time leader in three-pointers made, surpassing Kirk Hinrich. His first playoff appearance came in 2022 with the Bulls after eight seasons in the league.
Zachary Thomas LaVine Career Highlights
LaVine’s career is highlighted by his explosive scoring ability and highlight-reel dunks. He has established himself as one of the premier shooting guards in the NBA with multiple All-Star selections and numerous 40-point games throughout his career.
Major Achievements
LaVine won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest twice consecutively in 2015 and 2016, becoming the fourth player in NBA history to win the competition in consecutive years. His perfect 50-point dunks during the 2015 contest cemented his reputation as one of the greatest dunkers in league history. He was named an NBA All-Star in 2021 and 2022 with the Chicago Bulls, representing the Eastern Conference and earning recognition as one of the top players in the league. He was also named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2015 following his first season with the Timberwolves.
International Honors
LaVine represented the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo (postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic). He played primarily as the team’s sixth man, averaging 10.6 points per game while shooting a team-best 47 percent from three-point range. He contributed solid defense and was second in assists prior to the gold medal game. LaVine and Team USA won the Olympic gold medal in men’s basketball, adding international success to his NBA accomplishments.
| Achievement | Year |
|---|---|
| 2× NBA All-Star | 2021, 2022 |
| 2× NBA Slam Dunk Contest Champion | 2015, 2016 |
| NBA All-Rookie Second Team | 2015 |
| Olympic Gold Medalist | 2021 |
Zachary Thomas LaVine Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
LaVine comes from a strong athletic family. His father, Paul LaVine, played American football professionally in both the USFL and NFL, providing his son with sports expertise and guidance from an early age. His mother, CJ LaVine, was a softball player, adding to the family’s athletic credentials. This background contributed to LaVine’s early development and his eventual rise to professional basketball.
Personal Life
In April 2020, LaVine became engaged to his longtime girlfriend. Their first child, Saint Thomas LaVine, was born in August 2022. In March 2016, LaVine guest-starred in an episode of the Disney XD television series Kirby Buckets, showcasing his interest in entertainment beyond basketball.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant transition for LaVine as he was traded to the Sacramento Kings in February 2025. Joining a new organization brought fresh opportunities as he sought to contribute to a Kings team with playoff aspirations. His early performances with Sacramento demonstrated his continued ability to score at a high level, including a 42-point outburst against the Charlotte Hornets in his second month with the team.
Throughout the 2025-26 season, LaVine maintained his scoring production, averaging 19.2 points per game across 39 appearances. His integration into the Kings’ offensive scheme showed promise as he adjusted to playing alongside new teammates. However, the season ended prematurely when he sustained a tendon injury in his right hand that required surgery in February 2026, cutting his campaign short and providing a challenging setback heading into the following season.