Patrick Bergin Connaughton Bio
Patrick Bergin Connaughton, born January 6, 1993, in Arlington, Massachusetts, is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association. He primarily plays as a shooting guard and has built a reputation as a versatile two-way player known for his three-point shooting and rebounding ability. Connaughton played collegiate basketball and baseball at the University of Notre Dame before being selected by the Brooklyn Nets in the second round of the 2015 NBA draft. Over his career, he has played for the Portland Trail Blazers and Milwaukee Bucks, winning an NBA championship with the Bucks in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Connaughton grew up in Arlington, Massachusetts, and attended St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers. At St. John’s Prep, he excelled in three sports, playing quarterback in football while competing in both baseball and basketball. His baseball prowess earned him significant attention from NCAA Division I programs, with Boston College, the University of Virginia, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill all offering him scholarships.
During the summer between his junior and senior years, Connaughton’s sporting trajectory changed dramatically. He had only received one basketball offer, from Bentley University in Division II, when he delivered what ESPN described as a spectacular week at an Amateur Athletic Union national tournament in Orlando, Florida. In one game during that tournament, he recorded 33 points and 20 rebounds. That performance attracted multiple offers in basketball as well as baseball, with many schools willing to let him play both sports. He ultimately chose Notre Dame over Boston College, Miami, UCLA, and Vanderbilt.
In 2011, Connaughton’s senior year, he was named the Gatorade Massachusetts Boys Basketball Player of the Year. As a baseball pitcher, he posted an 11-2 win-loss record with a 1.75 earned run average and 160 strikeouts in 90 innings. He was rated as the 33rd-best player in the MLB draft by Perfect Game but fell to the fourth round, where the San Diego Padres selected him. He chose not to sign and honored his commitment to Notre Dame.
Notre Dame Career
At Notre Dame, Connaughton played for the Fighting Irish as a member of both their college baseball and basketball programs. For basketball, he showed consistent improvement across four seasons. As a freshman, he appeared in all 34 games, averaging 7.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game while playing 24.1 minutes per contest. Notre Dame reached the 2012 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament but lost to Xavier in the second round, with Connaughton contributing 10 points in that defeat.
His sophomore year saw him average 8.9 points per game while maintaining his baseball commitments. During the summer of 2013, he pitched for the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League. By his junior year, his scoring average rose to 13.8 points per game. After that season, despite warnings it would affect his baseball draft status, he announced his intention to return for his senior year. The Baltimore Orioles drafted him in the fourth round with the 121st overall pick, with an executive suggesting he could have earned $1 million had he been willing to quit basketball. He signed with the Orioles for over $400,000 but was permitted to play his final basketball season at Notre Dame.
As a senior, Connaughton helped Notre Dame win its first Atlantic Coast Conference championship. He played in a memorable tournament game against Kentucky for a Final Four berth, a game the Irish narrowly lost after holding the lead until the final seconds. Connaughton graduated from Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business with a 3.0 grade point average in spring 2015 and was named Third-team All-ACC.
Professional Basketball Career
Portland Trail Blazers (2015-2018)
The Brooklyn Nets selected Connaughton with the 41st overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft. His draft rights, along with Mason Plumlee, were traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for Steve Blake and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. He signed a three-year contract with Portland on July 9, with the first two years guaranteed and a stipulation that he could not play professional baseball during that time. Connaughton made his NBA debut on October 30, 2015, scoring five points in a loss to the Phoenix Suns. He appeared in 34 games during his rookie season.
On April 13, 2017, in the Trail Blazers’ season finale, Connaughton scored a then career-high 19 points in a 103-100 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. The following season, on October 18, 2017, he set a new career high with 24 points, making 4 of 6 three-point attempts in a commanding 124-76 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Milwaukee Bucks (2018-2025)
On August 1, 2018, Connaughton signed a two-year, $3.3 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. He competed in the Slam Dunk Contest at the 2020 NBA All-Star Game, famously dunking over Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich and finishing third in the competition. On August 20, 2020, he recorded 15 points and 11 rebounds in a Game 2 first-round playoff win against the Orlando Magic.
Connaughton re-signed with the Bucks on November 23, 2020, on a three-year, $16 million contract. He captured his first NBA championship on July 20, 2021, averaging 9.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while shooting 44.1% from three-point range in six games during the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns. On November 10, 2021, he scored a season-high 23 points with a career-best seven three-pointers in a win over the New York Knicks. On February 14, 2022, he underwent right hand surgery and was ruled out for at least a month. He returned to contribute during the playoffs, scoring 20 points in just 23 minutes during a decisive Game 5 first-round win over the Chicago Bulls.
On June 22, 2022, Connaughton exercised his $5.7 million player option to remain with Milwaukee. He then signed a three-year, $28.5 million contract extension on July 13, 2022. On January 26, 2023, he recorded 19 points and a season-high 12 rebounds in a win over the Denver Nuggets. He continued contributing through the 2023-24 season before his Milwaukee tenure concluded.
Charlotte Hornets (2025-Present)
On July 6, 2025, Connaughton was traded to the Charlotte Hornets alongside two second-round draft picks in exchange for Vasilije Micić. On April 13, 2025, he scored a career-high 43 points in a 140-133 win over the Detroit Pistons. He appeared in 41 games for Charlotte during the 2024-25 season, averaging 5.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. On February 4, 2026, the Hornets waived Connaughton, but he was re-signed on February 9 to a two-year, $5.1 million contract.
Playing Style and Strengths
Connaughton is known for his versatility as a shooting guard, combining reliable three-point shooting with strong rebounding ability for his position. His quick release and range make him a valuable floor-spacer, while his athleticism allows him to contribute in transition and on the glass. His dual-sport background at Notre Dame shaped his competitiveness and work ethic, enabling him to make meaningful contributions as a role player on championship-caliber teams.
Notable Career Milestones
Connaughton’s career highlights include winning the NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, participating in the 2020 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, and achieving career-high scoring performances in each of his NBA stops. His ability to remain ready and contribute when called upon has been a consistent theme throughout his career, earning praise from coaches and teammates for his professionalism and dependability.
Patrick Bergin Connaughton Career Highlights
Connaughton has built a solid professional career spanning multiple NBA teams with consistent contributions. His most significant achievement remains the 2021 NBA championship with Milwaukee, where he played a key role off the bench throughout the playoffs. He also won the NBA Cup with the Bucks in 2024.
Milwaukee Bucks Championship Run (2021)
The Bucks’ 2021 championship run represented Connaughton’s defining professional moment. He provided steady contributions throughout the playoffs, culminating in a strong NBA Finals performance against the Phoenix Suns. His 44.1% three-point shooting in the Finals helped space the floor for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks’ star players.
Individual Honors and Achievements
Beyond his championship ring, Connaughton’s career highlights include his Third-team All-ACC selection at Notre Dame in 2015, his participation in the 2020 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, and career-high scoring performances at each of his NBA stops. His consistent three-point shooting and rebounding from the shooting guard position have made him a valued role player throughout his career.
Personal Life
Connaughton comes from a supportive family background. His father, Len, has spoken publicly about his son’s character and integrity, noting that Connaughton’s honest nature influenced his career decisions in professional sports. Former Notre Dame basketball coach Mike Brey praised Connaughton as one of the most responsible people in his 15 years at the university, describing him as an unbelievable ambassador with tremendous loyalty.
Connaughton is known for his financial discipline. He invested much of his signing bonus and has been involved in business ventures, including serving as president of a development firm. He has also invested in Bitcoin. He received a Jeep Wrangler as his one luxury purchase with his signing bonus, exemplifying his pragmatic approach to money management.
Connaughton began a relationship with professional soccer player Ryan Gareis in June 2023. They announced their engagement in February 2024 and welcomed their first child, a son, in May 2024. The couple married in June 2026.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NBA season marked a transition for Connaughton, who split time between the Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Hornets following the mid-season trade. For Charlotte, he appeared in 41 games with one start, averaging 5.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 41.7% from three-point range. His season highlight came on April 13, 2025, when he scored a career-high 43 points in a 140-133 victory over the Detroit Pistons.
The trade to Charlotte gave Connaughton a fresh opportunity with a developing team. His veteran experience and championship pedigree provide valuable leadership for a young Hornets roster. After being waived and re-signed in February 2026, Connaughton continues to contribute as a rotation player and mentor for Charlotte’s younger players.