Taurean Prince Bio
Taurean Waller-Prince is an American professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A 6 ft 6 in wing who plays both small forward and power forward, Prince emerged from Baylor University and entered the NBA as a first-round pick in 2016, beginning a decade-long career that has included starting roles, sixth-man usage, and contributions to championship-caliber rosters.
Prince combines size, perimeter shooting and veteran positional flexibility. He established himself as a productive wing in Atlanta and later provided depth and veteran minutes for multiple franchises before joining the Milwaukee Bucks in 2024.
Early Life and Background
Taurean Waller-Prince was born on March 22, 1994, in San Marcos, Texas, and grew up in the San Antonio area. He attended Earl Warren High School in San Antonio, where he played three seasons under head coach Jim Weaver and helped lead the program to deep playoff runs, including a trip to the state semifinals as a senior.
After high school Prince initially committed to play at LIU Brooklyn but switched to Baylor University following a coaching change at LIU Brooklyn. At Baylor he developed from a reserve into a key contributor and earned conference recognition while also honoring his family roots by wearing his mother Tamiyko’s maiden name, Waller, on his Baylor jersey.
Path to Basketball
Prince enrolled at Baylor in 2012 and progressed steadily through four college seasons. He played a reserve role as a freshman before increasing his minutes and impact as a sophomore and junior, earning Big 12 Sixth Man recognition and all-conference honors. By his senior season he was a First-team All-Big 12 selection in 2016 after a collegiate career that combined scoring, rebounding and perimeter shooting.
On the international stage he represented the United States at the 2015 Pan American Games, helping the U.S. squad earn a bronze medal. His collegiate production and versatility made him an attractive first-round draft selection in 2016.
Taurean Prince Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
Prince was selected with the 12th overall pick of the 2016 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz; his draft rights were traded to the Atlanta Hawks in a multi-team deal shortly after the draft. He signed his rookie contract with the Hawks in July 2016 and split time between Atlanta and assignments to the NBA Development League with the Long Island Nets during his rookie season.
As a rookie Prince made an immediate impression in Atlanta, contributing in the regular season and playoffs. He became the first Hawks rookie since Pete Maravich to reach double figures in his first four playoff games, and he showed scoring upside and three-point shooting that would define his role at the next stages of his career.
Atlanta Hawks Breakthrough (2016–2019)
With the Atlanta Hawks, Prince evolved into a primary wing option and occasional starter. Across the 2017–18 period he set multiple career-high scoring marks, including 30 and then 31 points in separate games, and later produced back-to-back 38-point efforts in March 2018. He demonstrated an ability to score off the bounce and convert from long range, including stretches of multiple games with three-pointers made.
Prince’s scoring explosions and steady perimeter play in Atlanta established him as a young wing capable of high-volume nights and floor spacing, drawing attention around the league and setting the stage for subsequent trades and contract opportunities.
Brooklyn Nets Tenure (2019–2021)
On July 6, 2019, Prince was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. He signed a two-year contract extension with the Nets later that October, and he debuted for Brooklyn with a strong performance that included points, rebounds and steals. While with Brooklyn he posted season-high scoring and rebounding games and served as a wing capable of starting or coming off the bench, providing perimeter spacing for a Nets roster undergoing roster construction and development.
The 2019–20 season was interrupted leaguewide by the COVID-19 pandemic; Prince missed the NBA Bubble restart after testing positive for the virus. His time in Brooklyn showed his value as a veteran wing able to match minutes and production in varied roles.
Cleveland Cavaliers (January 2021)
Prince was included in a January 14, 2021, multi-team trade that sent him and Jarrett Allen to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He made an immediate impact in Cleveland, recording 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists in his Cavaliers debut on January 20, 2021. Later that season he scored a season-high 25 points in mid-April before undergoing left ankle arthroscopic surgery that ended his season.
His brief tenure in Cleveland highlighted his capability to step into a scoring role when called upon and to contribute across the box score in short stretches.
Minnesota Timberwolves Era (2021–2023)
In August 2021 Prince was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a deal that exchanged him for point guard Ricky Rubio. He made his Timberwolves debut in October 2021 and produced several notable scoring nights during the 2021–22 season, including multiple 23-point outings in early February. Prince provided veteran wing depth as Minnesota secured a playoff berth following a play-in tournament win.
Prince and the Timberwolves reached agreement on a two-year contract extension in June 2022, underscoring his role as a rotation wing capable of starting and providing experienced minutes on both ends of the floor.
Los Angeles Lakers (2023–2024)
Prince signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers on July 6, 2023. During the 2023–24 season he was part of the Lakers roster that won the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament in December 2023, contributing as a wing who could start or come off the bench and provide spacing and veteran minutes when called upon.
Milwaukee Bucks Era (2024–Present)
Prince signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in July 2024 and joined their wing rotation ahead of the 2024–25 season. He added to his list of team honors by winning the NBA Cup with Milwaukee in 2024, completing back-to-back Cup wins from 2023 to 2024 and giving him two NBA Cup titles across consecutive seasons.
Playing Style and Strengths
At 6 ft 6 in and listed around 218 lb, Prince blends perimeter shooting, size for wing matchups and the ability to play both forward spots. His strengths include catch-and-shoot three-point shooting, spacing the floor, timely scoring bursts and veteran positional flexibility that allows coaches to deploy him as a starter or reserve depending on matchups.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones include being the 12th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, multiple career-high scoring games—including consecutive 38-point nights in 2018—and winning the NBA In-Season Tournament with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2023 followed by the NBA Cup with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2024, making him a two-time NBA Cup champion.
Taurean Prince Career Wins
Prince’s notable team accomplishments include two NBA Cup titles: the inaugural In-Season Tournament with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2023 and the NBA Cup with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2024. Beyond team trophies, his career contains multiple individual high-scoring games and sustained roles as both starter and rotation wing across several franchises.
NBA Cup Highlights
Prince won the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament with the Los Angeles Lakers in December 2023 and followed that by being part of the Milwaukee Bucks squad that won the 2024 NBA Cup, earning back-to-back Cup titles with different franchises. Those wins represent the most prominent team honors of his professional career.
Other Wins & Performances
On the international level Prince helped the United States earn the bronze medal at the 2015 Pan American Games. At Baylor he earned First-team All-Big 12 honors in 2016, Second-team All-Big 12 in 2015 and the Big 12 Sixth Man Award in 2015, marking a decorated college résumé prior to turning professional.
Taurean Prince Family
Family Background and Personal Roots
Prince has publicly honored his mother, Tamiyko, by wearing her maiden name Waller on his Baylor jersey during his collegiate career. He grew up in the San Antonio area and developed as a high school standout at Earl Warren High School before advancing to Baylor and then the NBA.
Personal Life
Prince is a Muslim and has discussed observing Ramadan and related practices in public interviews. In August 2022 he was arrested on a fugitive warrant related to a drug charge from Texas; authorities later announced in November 2022 that he would not face charges in that matter. He maintains a professional profile focused on his on-court contributions and veteran presence.