Dylan Cardwell Bio
Dylan Cardwell (born December 16, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 6-foot-10 center plays for the Kings on a two-way contract with the Stockton Kings of the NBA G League. Cardwell played college basketball for the Auburn Tigers from 2020 to 2025 before entering the 2025 NBA Draft undrafted.
Early Life and Background
Dylan Cardwell was born in Augusta, Georgia, on December 16, 2001. He grew up in Georgia where he developed his basketball skills at a young age. Cardwell attended Oak Hill Academy for his junior season, one of the most prestigious basketball prep schools in the country located in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia. He transferred to McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, for his senior year of high school.
During his junior year at Oak Hill Academy, Cardwell averaged 3.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. His performance at the high school level attracted attention from major college programs. As a high school senior at McEachern, he continued to develop his game as a post player. Cardwell was rated as a three-star recruit coming out of high school and received scholarship offers from several Power Five conference schools.
Dylan Cardwell Career
Path to Auburn Tigers
Cardwell committed to play college basketball for the Auburn Tigers over other notable programs including Georgia, Tennessee, Miami, Maryland, and UConn. His decision to join Auburn marked the beginning of his development as a collegiate center under the Tigers program. The recruitment process saw Cardwell weigh multiple Division I opportunities before selecting Auburn.
Auburn Tigers Career (2020–2025)
Cardwell began his college career with the Auburn Tigers during the 2020–21 season. As a freshman, he appeared in 27 games and averaged 3.8 points and 3.6 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game. His early contributions showed promise for a young center adjusting to SEC competition. On January 11, 2022, Cardwell recorded six points, six rebounds, and four blocks in a victory over rival Alabama, demonstrating his shot-blocking ability on the big stage.
During the 2021–22 season, Cardwell appeared in all 34 games while averaging three points and three rebounds per game. He continued to provide interior defense and energy off the bench for the Tigers. In the first two games of the 2022–23 season, he made an immediate impact with nine points and ten blocks combined across those contests. For the 2022–23 season overall, Cardwell averaged 3.7 points and 3.8 rebounds in 32 appearances.
The 2023–24 season saw Cardwell average 5.3 points, 1.6 blocks, and 1.2 assists in 14.7 minutes per game. His blocking numbers highlighted his development as a rim protector. Heading into the 2024–25 season, Cardwell earned the starting center role for the first time in his college career, becoming a full-time starter for Auburn.
On December 30, 2024, Cardwell posted 12 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks, and a steal in a win over Monmouth. That performance exemplified his growth as an all-around contributor. On March 1, 2025, Cardwell became the all-time winningest player in Auburn men’s basketball history with 115 wins after helping the Tigers secure a 94–78 victory over Kentucky. That milestone capped an impressive five-year collegiate career.
Professional Career
After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft on June 26, 2025, Cardwell signed a two-way contract with the Sacramento Kings. The two-way contract allowed him to spend time with both the NBA roster and their NBA G League affiliate, the Stockton Kings. He transitioned immediately from college to professional basketball, joining a Kings organization looking for depth at the center position.
Playing Style and Strengths
Cardwell operates primarily as a center, using his 6-foot-10 frame to protect the rim and rebound effectively. His college career showed consistent improvement in shot-blocking, with his per-game blocks rising throughout his four seasons at Auburn. He has demonstrated the ability to finish around the basket and contribute in pick-and-roll situations. His four-block performance against Alabama during his sophomore year highlighted his timing and instincts as a defender.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cardwell achieved a career-high 15 points against the Los Angeles Clippers on April 5, 2025, while recording four blocks in that same game. That performance represented his most prolific scoring output at the professional level. His college milestone of becoming Auburn’s all-time winningest player with 115 victories underscored his sustained success and durability across five seasons. Cardwell has shown the ability to record double-digit rebounds in games, as demonstrated in his 11-rebound performance against Monmouth during his senior year.
Dylan Cardwell Career Highlights
Cardwell built his career highlight reel primarily through his five seasons at Auburn, where he developed from a rotational player into a full-time starter. His career totals include over 115 wins as a Tiger, making him the program’s winningest player. He demonstrated consistent shot-blocking ability throughout his college career, averaging 1.6 blocks per game during his senior season.
Auburn Tigers Highlights
Cardwell’s Auburn career spanned 138 games across five seasons from 2020 to 2025. He appeared in every game during the 2021–22 season, showing his reliability for the program. His senior season in 2024–25 represented his most complete campaign, as he averaged a career-high 5.3 points per game while earning the starting center role. His 1.6 blocks per game that season led the team and ranked among the best in the SEC. The 115 career wins he accumulated surpassed any previous player in Auburn men’s basketball history.
Professional Highlights
In his rookie professional season beginning in 2025, Cardwell recorded his career-high of 15 points against the Los Angeles Clippers while also blocking four shots in that game. He signed his first professional contract with the Sacramento Kings following the 2025 NBA Draft. The two-way contract arrangement allowed him to develop his game with the Stockton Kings while remaining available for NBA roster duties.
Dylan Cardwell Family
Family Background
Public records do not include detailed information about Cardwell’s family background or parents. He has maintained privacy regarding his family life throughout his public career as a student-athlete and professional player. Any family connections to basketball or sports are not documented in available public sources.
Personal Life
Cardwell maintains an active presence on social media with an Instagram account. Beyond his basketball career, public information about his personal relationships, spouse, or children is not available. He continues to reside in California while playing for the Sacramento Kings organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Cardwell’s transition from college basketball to the professional ranks. He joined the Sacramento Kings after going undrafted in June 2025 and signed a two-way contract with the organization. His rookie season began with split time between the NBA roster and the Stockton Kings G League affiliate. The April 5, 2025 performance against the Los Angeles Clippers provided an early glimpse of his potential, as he scored 15 points and blocked four shots in that game.
Cardwell’s rookie campaign came with the challenge of adjusting to NBA speed and physicality after five seasons of college basketball. The two-way contract structure gave him opportunities to develop while gaining NBA experience. His shot-blocking instincts translated to the professional level, as he demonstrated the ability to alter opponents’ shots at the rim. The Kings organization valued his defensive versatility and rim-protection ability as they evaluated their roster depth at center.