Garrett Temple Bio
Garrett Bartholomew Temple is an American professional basketball player who currently serves as a shooting guard and small forward for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on May 8, 1986, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Temple has built a durable and versatile career spanning over fifteen seasons in professional basketball. After playing college basketball for the LSU Tigers from 2005 to 2009, Temple went undrafted in the 2009 NBA draft but forged ahead through the developmental ranks. His journey through multiple NBA franchises and international competition has established him as a respected veteran known for defensive intensity and team-first playmaking. Temple has played for twelve different NBA teams throughout his career, making him one of the most traveled players in league history.
Early Life and Background
Garrett Temple grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, immersed in basketball tradition through his family. His father, Collis Temple, broke barriers as the first African American to play basketball at LSU from 1971 to 1974, establishing a legacy that would deeply influence his son’s path. Temple attended LSU Laboratory School in Baton Rouge, where he excelled in multiple sports beyond basketball. As a senior in high school, he averaged 13.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game, leading University High to the 2004 Class 2A state championship. Temple also competed in track and field at LSU Laboratory School, specializing in long jump and triple jump events, demonstrating the athletic versatility that would later serve him in professional basketball.
Path to Basketball
Following high school graduation, Temple continued his basketball journey at Louisiana State University. He redshirted during the 2004-05 season to develop his skills before making his collegiate debut. As a freshman in 2005-06, Temple quickly established himself as a defensive stopper, appearing in 36 games with 35 starts while averaging 5.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. His sophomore season showed marked improvement, as he recorded 138 assists against only 83 turnovers, posting a 1.7 assist-to-turnover ratio that ranked tenth in the SEC. Temple continued his upward trajectory through his junior and senior seasons, becoming LSU’s all-time leader in minutes played with 4,432 minutes, surpassing the previous record set by Howard Carter in 1983. In his senior season, Temple earned All-SEC Defensive Team honors and was named to the coaches’ All-SEC second team, cementing his status as one of the conference’s most complete players.
Garrett Temple Career
Early Career (2009–2012)
After going undrafted in the 2009 NBA draft, Temple joined the Houston Rockets for the 2009 NBA Summer League and signed with the Rockets in September 2009. However, he was waived less than two months later and joined the Rio Grande Valley Vipers as an affiliate player in November 2009. Temple spent the 2009-10 season shuttling between the NBA and developmental league, signing multiple 10-day contracts with the Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, and San Antonio Spurs. During this period, he gained valuable experience adapting to professional speed and intensity while refining his defensive skills. His journey continued in 2010-11 with stints at Erie BayHawks and another 10-day contract with the Milwaukee Bucks before signing with the Charlotte Bobcats for the remainder of the season. Temple then spent the 2011-12 season playing professionally in Italy for Casale Monferrato, where he averaged 9.5 points per game in 28 contests.
Washington Wizards Breakthrough (2012–2016)
Temple signed with the Washington Wizards on December 25, 2012, marking the beginning of his most sustained NBA tenure. He quickly became a valuable rotational player known for his defensive versatility and three-point shooting. On November 1, 2014, Temple scored a then-career-high 18 points in a 108-97 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Throughout the 2015-16 season, he continued to elevate his game, matching his career high of 18 points against the Orlando Magic on November 14 before setting new personal bests. On December 19, 2015, he scored 21 points against the Charlotte Hornets, followed by 23 points versus the Sacramento Kings on December 21. Remarkably, he scored at least 20 points in three consecutive games, becoming the first NBA player to achieve that milestone after not reaching 20 points in his first 250 career games. Temple’s four-year tenure with the Wizards showcased his growth from a tryout player to a reliable NBA rotation member.
Sacramento Kings Era (2016–2018)
On July 9, 2016, Temple signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Sacramento Kings, returning to the franchise where he had brief stints earlier in his career. He made his Kings debut in the season opener on October 26, scoring 12 points in nearly 18 minutes off the bench in a 113-94 win over the Phoenix Suns. Temple’s tenure in Sacramento was highlighted by a career-defining performance on January 23, 2018, when he scored 34 points against the Orlando Magic, pouring in 19 of those points in the final quarter to lead the Kings to a 105-99 victory. This performance established his new career high and demonstrated his ability to take over games as a scorer when called upon. However, his 2016-17 season was interrupted by a partial tear of his left biceps femoris muscle, which sidelined him for several weeks.
Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers (2018–2019)
Temple’s career continued to evolve when he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies on July 17, 2018, in a multi-player deal. He made an immediate impact in Memphis, scoring a game-high 30 points on October 19, 2018, in a 131-117 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. This performance underscored his ability to contribute significantly when given expanded minutes within an offense. However, his tenure with the Grizzlies was cut short when he and JaMychal Green were traded to the Los Angeles Clippers on February 7, 2019, in exchange for Avery Bradley. Temple finished the 2018-19 season splitting time between the two franchises, demonstrating the journeyman nature that has characterized much of his NBA career.
Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls (2019–2021)
Following the 2018-19 season, Temple signed a two-year, $9.7 million contract with the Brooklyn Nets on July 8, 2019. His time in Brooklyn provided stability during a transformative period for the franchise as it acquired major talents. On November 27, 2020, Temple signed a one-year, $4.8 million contract with the Chicago Bulls. His brief stint with Chicago represented another chapter in his extensive NBA journey, as he continued to serve as a veteran presence and defensive specialist for teams seeking experienced depth.
New Orleans Pelicans (2021–2023)
On August 8, 2021, Temple returned to his hometown by signing a three-year, $15.5 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans via a sign-and-trade agreement. This homecoming marked a significant moment for Temple, who grew up in Baton Rouge and whose father blazed trails at LSU. Playing for his hometown team provided Temple with meaningful connections to his roots and community. However, his tenure ended when he was waived by the Pelicans on July 5, 2023, after two seasons.
Toronto Raptors Era (2023–Present)
Temple joined the Toronto Raptors on August 1, 2023, signing with his twelfth NBA franchise. During the 2023-24 NBA season, he appeared in 27 games with two starts, averaging 3.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game while providing veteran leadership in the locker room. On July 6, 2024, Temple re-signed with the Raptors, continuing his professional career into the 2024-25 season where he appeared in 28 games while averaging 1.9 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. On July 2, 2025, Temple re-signed with the Raptors for another season, extending his remarkable NBA journey that began as an undrafted free agent in 2009.
Defensive Identity and Strengths
Temple has built his NBA career primarily on defensive intensity and positional versatility. His ability to guard multiple positions made him valuable across twelve different franchises, as coaches trusted his basketball IQ and effort on the less glamorous end of the floor. Offensively, Temple developed into a reliable three-point shooter, evidenced by career performances such as matching his career high with five three-pointers against Milwaukee in November 2016. His experience as a college point guard at LSU gave him playmaking instincts that translated to bench contributions as a secondary ball handler and spot-up shooter.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his extensive career, Temple has achieved several memorable milestones. His rise from undrafted free agent to a fifteen-year NBA veteran represents a remarkable persistence story in professional basketball. The three-game streak of 20-plus point performances during the 2015-16 season with Washington marked his emergence as more than a defensive specialist. His return to play for the New Orleans Pelicans connected his professional career back to his Louisiana roots in a meaningful way. Temple’s continued participation in the NBA through his forties demonstrates the durability and adaptability required for a journeyman career at the sport’s highest level.
Garrett Temple Career Highlights
Temple’s professional career spans over fifteen seasons with twelve NBA franchises and one professional season in Italy. His journey from undrafted free agent to durable NBA veteran showcases persistence and versatility valued throughout the league. His collegiate accomplishments at LSU remain among his most significant achievements, with the SEC All-Defensive Team recognition highlighting the defensive foundation that sustained his professional career.
NBA Achievements
Temple’s NBA career highlights include his NBA D-League All-Star selection in 2011 during his developmental league tenure with the Erie BayHawks. His college honors with LSU remain central to his basketball legacy, including his role as LSU’s all-time leader in minutes played with 4,432. His career-high 34-point performance against the Orlando Magic in January 2018 with Sacramento stands as his most prolific offensive game. Temple’s ability to score 30 points for Memphis against Atlanta in October 2018 demonstrated his continued offensive capability deep into his career.
College and Community Honors
Temple’s collegiate career at LSU provided the foundation for his professional longevity. His selection to the SEC All-Defensive Team in 2009 established the defensive identity that defined his NBA career. His community involvement extended beyond basketball through his membership in the Starting Five initiative alongside Malcolm Brogdon, Joe Harris, Justin Anderson, and Anthony Tolliver. Their Hoops2O charity effort raised funds to build wells in East Africa, ultimately funding ten wells in Tanzania and Kenya that provided water access to over 52,000 citizens by February 2020.
Garrett Temple Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Garrett Temple’s basketball heritage runs deep through his family bloodline. His father, Collis Temple, made history as the first African American to play basketball at LSU from 1971 to 1974, opening doors for future generations including his son. This family connection to LSU basketball shaped Garrett’s childhood and career path, eventually leading him back to play for his hometown team with the New Orleans Pelicans. He has an older brother, Collis III, who also played at LSU from 1999 to 2003, further cementing the family’s prominence in Louisiana basketball history. Temple also has a younger sister named Colleen Noelle, rounding out a family deeply connected to athletics and academics.
Personal Life
Temple married Kára McCullough, who was crowned Miss USA 2017, in 2020. The couple has built their family together and has three children including one son and two daughters. Temple is a Christian and openly expresses his faith through his gameplay, famously wearing a wristband that reads “In Jesus Name I Play.” His blend of athletic achievement, family commitment, and charitable work through the Hoops2O initiative demonstrates a well-rounded approach to life beyond basketball.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025-26 NBA season, Temple continues his professional career with the Toronto Raptors following his re-signing on July 2, 2025. At age 40, Temple brings veteran leadership and institutional knowledge to a young Raptors roster in transition. His primary value lies in mentorship, defensive communication, and maintaining a professional attitude in the locker room. The Raptors organization benefits from his experience across twelve franchises, providing stability and perspective during their current roster development phase. Temple’s continued presence in the NBA reflects his adaptability and the enduring need for experienced players who can bridge generations of professional basketball talent.