Khris Middleton

Khris Middleton Bio

Khris Middleton is an American professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is a three-time NBA All-Star and won an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks and a gold medal with Team USA at the Summer Olympics in 2021. Middleton attended high school at the Porter-Gaud School in his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina. He played college basketball for the Texas A&M Aggies from 2009 to 2012.

Early Life and Background

Middleton was born on August 12, 1991, in Charleston, South Carolina, to James and Nichelle Middleton. He has one older sister named Brittney, and his cousin, Josh Powell, has played in the NBA. Another cousin, Kenny Manigault, played basketball for Wichita State University and was teammates with Middleton on the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team Carolina Celtics. Middleton attended Porter-Gaud School and played basketball for the Cyclones under coach John Pearson. As a sophomore, he averaged 12 points and eight rebounds per game. In his junior season, Middleton posted averages of 21 points and 8.6 rebounds per game and was named state player of the year. He repeated as player of the year as a senior, scoring 22.4 points per game and grabbing 8.6 rebounds per game in leading Porter-Gaud to the state title game.

Path to Basketball

ESPN ranked him the 64th-best recruit in the Class of 2009, and noted he was the best shooter at his position. Middleton was recruited by Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Michigan and Saint Joseph’s. He chose Texas A&M, and signed with the Aggies on May 30, 2008. He liked the college town atmosphere and got along well with the coaching staff. Coming into his freshman year, Middleton expected to fill the three-point shooting void of departed senior Josh Carter. Middleton’s college career started slowly, connecting on 1-of-12 field goals in limited action of his first three games. After a season-ending leg injury to Derrick Roland on December 11, 2009, Middleton was forced to take a larger role in the offense and started 18 of the last 20 games.

Khris Middleton Career

Early Career (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. On December 12, 2012, he was assigned to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League. A week later, he was recalled by the Pistons. He finished his rookie season having managed just 27 games for the Pistons while averaging 6.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 17.6 minutes per game.

Milwaukee Bucks Breakthrough (2013-2025)

On July 31, 2013, Middleton was traded, along with Brandon Knight and Viacheslav Kravtsov, to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for guard Brandon Jennings. In contrast to his limited action in 2012-13, Middleton played all 82 games in 2013-14, while starting 64 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 win over the Washington Wizards. On July 9, 2015, Middleton re-signed with the Bucks to a five-year, $70 million contract, with a player option for the fifth year. On January 28, 2019, Middleton was named an Eastern Conference All-Star reserve, thus earning his first All-Star selection. He became the first G League alum to be named an All-Star. On January 28, 2020, Middleton set a new career high, scoring 51 points in a 151-131 victory over the Washington Wizards. On January 30, 2020, Middleton was named an Eastern Conference All-Star reserve, thus earning his second consecutive All-Star selection. In 2021, Middleton helped lead the Bucks to their first NBA championship since 1971. The same summer, he won a gold medal at the Olympics.

Playing Style and Strengths

Middleton is known for his versatile playing style, excelling as both a three-point shooter and defensive player. His ability to score from beyond the arc combined with his defensive versatility made him a key player in the Bucks’ championship run. Middleton has developed a strong mid-game and can create his own shot off the dribble, making him a difficult matchup for opposing defenses.

Notable Events and Milestones

Middleton achieved several career milestones during his tenure with Milwaukee, including passing Ray Allen for the most made three-pointers in Bucks history and eventually becoming the franchise’s third all-time leading scorer. His game-winning fadeaway jumper in the 2020 playoffs against Miami was a signature moment that exemplified his clutch ability in critical moments.

Khris Middleton Career Wins

Middleton has established himself as one of the most successful and consistent players of his generation, with multiple All-Star appearances and a championship to his name. His career has been marked by steady improvement and key contributions to team success at every level. On March 6, 2022, Middleton scored a season-high 44 points along with 8 rebounds and 5 assists in a 132-122 win against the Phoenix Suns, showcasing his ability to dominate games when needed.

NBA Highlights

Middleton’s most significant achievement came in 2021 when he helped lead the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA championship since 1971. He played a crucial role throughout the playoffs, including a 40-point performance in game 4 of the Finals that helped Milwaukee take a commanding 3-1 series lead. Middleton’s ability to perform in high-pressure moments was on full display during the Bucks’ championship run. In addition to his championship success, Middleton was selected as an NBA All-Star in 2019, 2020, and 2022, recognition of his status as one of the league’s elite players. His consistency and all-around skill set have made him one of the most reliable performers in the NBA.

Other Wins & Performances

Beyond his NBA achievements, Middleton won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, further cementing his status as one of the premier players in international basketball. He also contributed to his team’s success in the NBA Cup championship in 2024, demonstrating his ability to perform in different competitive environments.

Khris Middleton Family

Family Background and Basketball Lineage

Middleton comes from an athletic family with basketball connections. 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 teammates with Middleton on the AAU team Carolina Celtics. Middleton’s family has been supportive of his basketball career, with his parents James and Nichelle Middleton raising him in Charleston, South Carolina.

Personal Life

Middleton is a Christian and has been open about his faith. On July 7, 2015, Middleton penned a column in The Players’ Tribune about the Charleston church shooting, explaining that the shooting affected him deeply because he grew up in Charleston and his grandmother knew four of the nine people who died. On April 23, 2019, Middleton and his girlfriend welcomed their first daughter. Middleton has also been involved in philanthropic efforts, including matching Giannis Antetokounmpo’s $100,000 donation to the Fiserv Forum staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. On April 8, 2021, it was announced that he was joining the ownership group of the Brisbane Bullets, a professional basketball team in Australia.

2025 Season Performance

During the 2025 season with the Washington Wizards, Middleton appeared in 34 games due to health concerns and injuries in both of his legs. In those contests, he averaged 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. On February 3, 2025, Middleton scored 12 points in a 101-132 loss against the New York Knicks, this would also be the last game of his Wizards tenure before he would get subsequently traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Middleton’s season was hampered by injuries, but when he was on the court, he showed flashes of his former self with his consistent shooting and veteran leadership. Despite the limited playing time, Middleton’s experience and basketball IQ provided valuable guidance to the Wizards’ younger players throughout the season.