Jaden Tyree Springer is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Birmingham Squadron of the NBA G League. The 6-foot-4 guard was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, and has built a reputation as a tenacious defender and efficient scorer throughout his career. Springer won an NBA championship as a reserve with the Boston Celtics in 2024 and captured an NBA G League championship with the Delaware Blue Coats in 2023, earning G League Finals MVP honors that same season. He played college basketball for the University of Tennessee before entering the 2021 NBA Draft.
Jaden Springer Bio
Jaden Tyree Springer has established himself as a high-energy guard capable of contributing on both ends of the floor. Since entering the professional ranks in 2021, Springer has demonstrated his ability to impact games through perimeter defense, ball handling, and scoring efficiency. His journey from a decorated high school prospect to an NBA champion reflects his dedication to continuous improvement at every level of competition.
Early Life and Background
Springer was born on September 25, 2002, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He grew up immersed in basketball, coming from a family with deep roots in the sport. His father, Gary Springer, was a McDonald’s All-American who played college basketball for Iona and was selected in the sixth round of the 1984 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. Gary’s professional career was cut short by a lingering knee injury, but his basketball legacy lived on through his sons.
Both of Springer’s older brothers pursued collegiate basketball careers. His brother Gary Jr. played for Iona, while his brother Jordan played for Army. This family environment provided Jaden with early exposure to high-level basketball instruction and competition, shaping his development as a player from a young age.
Path to Basketball
Springer’s path to professional basketball began with an impressive youth career. While in eighth grade, he played varsity basketball for Lighthouse Christian School in Antioch, Tennessee, where he averaged a team-high 19 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. This early success signaled his potential as a future Division I prospect.
For his first two years of high school, Springer attended Rocky River High School in Mint Hill, North Carolina. As a freshman, he averaged 21.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and five assists per game, leading his team to its first state tournament appearance. His sophomore season saw him post even more impressive numbers at 24.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.4 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game, guiding Rocky River to the Class 4A state semifinals. His outstanding performance earned him Southwestern 4A Player of the Year honors.
Prior to his junior and senior seasons, Springer transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, joining one of the top high school programs in the country. At IMG, he became teammates with notable recruits including Armando Bacot, Josh Green, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. As a junior, Springer averaged 15.6 points, four rebounds, and four assists while helping his team win the GEICO High School Nationals. He scored 26 points in a closely contested 74-73 semifinal victory over Montverde Academy. During his senior season, he averaged 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game despite playing through an ankle injury that limited his availability in some games. Springer was selected to participate in the McDonald’s All-American Game, though the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recruiting and College Career
Springer’s recruitment intensified during his sophomore year of high school, when he emerged as one of the top prospects in the 2020 class. He began receiving scholarship offers from NCAA Division I programs during his freshman year and attracted significant attention from major programs nationwide. On October 23, 2019, Springer committed to play college basketball for the University of Tennessee, choosing the Volunteers over offers from Memphis, Michigan, and other programs.
At Tennessee during the 2020-2021 season, Springer made an immediate impact as a freshman. On December 18, 2020, he recorded 21 points, six rebounds, and six assists in a 103-49 victory against Tennessee Tech. On February 10, 2021, he scored a career-high 30 points in an 89-81 win over Georgia. For the season, Springer averaged 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, earning SEC All-Freshman Team honors. Following the conclusion of his freshman campaign, he declared for the 2021 NBA Draft and signed with an agent, concluding his collegiate career after one season.
Jaden Springer Career
Philadelphia 76ers (2021-2024)
Springer was selected with the 28th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, fulfilling a notable connection to the franchise his father was drafted by decades earlier. On August 4, 2021, he signed his rookie contract with the Sixers. Less than three months later, on October 24, 2021, Springer was assigned to Philadelphia’s G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. He spent the majority of his rookie season developing with the Blue Coats, appearing in only two regular season games for the 76ers during his first year.
The 2022-2023 season marked a breakthrough for Springer at the G League level. He played a pivotal role in leading the Delaware Blue Coats to the NBA G League championship, delivering a championship-winning performance that earned him G League Finals MVP honors. His defensive prowess was also recognized league-wide when he was named the NBA G League steals leader for the 2022-2023 season. These accomplishments demonstrated his ability to dominate at the minor league level while continuing to refine his game.
Boston Celtics (2024-2025)
On February 8, 2024, Springer’s trajectory shifted when he was traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for a second-round draft pick. Joining a perennial championship contender, Springer served primarily as a reserve during the remainder of the 2023-2024 season. His tenure with Boston achieved its ultimate highlight when the Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in five games in the 2024 NBA Finals, making Springer an NBA champion for the first time in his career.
Springer continued with the Celtics organization into the 2024-2025 season, appearing in limited minutes but making the most of his opportunities. On January 22, 2025, he delivered a memorable performance in a 117-113 regular-season overtime victory against the Los Angeles Clippers, scoring 8 points while tying his career high with 4 steals. Notably, despite having logged only 76 minutes entering that game, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla brought him off the bench for 20 of the final 21 minutes. Springer made a crucial three-pointer to put Boston ahead 115-110 with 34 seconds remaining in the game, showcasing his ability to deliver in high-pressure moments.
Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans (2025)
The 2024-2025 season saw Springer experience several roster moves. On February 6, 2025, he was traded to the Houston Rockets as part of a multi-team deal involving draft picks. He was waived by the Rockets later that same day. On February 20, 2025, Springer signed a 10-day contract with the Utah Jazz, providing depth at the guard position. On March 2, 2025, the Jazz signed him to a three-year contract, securing his services for the remainder of the season. However, on July 24, 2025, Springer was waived by the Jazz, making him available for other opportunities.
Following his release from Utah, Springer signed with the New Orleans Pelicans on July 31, 2025. He was with the Pelicans for training camp and the preseason, though he was waived on October 23, 2025, after not appearing in their season opener the previous day.
Birmingham Squadron (2025-Present)
After his time with the Pelicans, Springer joined the Birmingham Squadron, the NBA G League affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans, providing him with an opportunity to continue his professional development while seeking a return to NBA competition.
Jaden Springer Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Springer has accumulated significant accomplishments at both the NBA and G League levels. His championship experience and individual honors reflect his ability to contribute to winning teams across different competitive environments.
NBA G League Highlights
Springer’s most decorated professional achievements have come in the NBA G League. His championship run with the Delaware Blue Coats in 2023 represented the pinnacle of G League success, with his performance in the finals earning him G League Finals MVP honors. The combination of his championship MVP award and his status as the G League steals leader that same season demonstrated his two-way capabilities at the developmental level. These accomplishments positioned him as one of the premier players in the G League during the 2022-2023 campaign.
NBA Championship
Springer secured his first NBA championship when the Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals. Though his role was limited as a reserve, his inclusion on the championship roster marked a significant milestone in his professional career and validated his journey from a first-round draft pick through multiple organizations to champion status.
Jaden Springer Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Springer’s basketball pedigree sets him apart from many professional athletes. His father, Gary Springer, established himself as a standout high school player, earning McDonald’s All-American honors before playing collegiately at Iona College. Gary was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the sixth round of the 1984 NBA Draft but ultimately did not play professionally due to a persistent knee injury. Rather than allowing this setback to diminish his connection to basketball, Gary channeled his passion into mentoring his sons.
Jaden’s older brothers continued the family tradition of basketball excellence. His brother Gary Jr. played college basketball for Iona, matching their father’s collegiate destination. His brother Jordan played for Army, demonstrating the family’s widespread involvement in college basketball at various programs. Springer also has a family connection to the NBA through his cousin, former NBA player DeAndre’ Bembry, further extending the basketball accomplishments within his extended family.
Personal Life
Springer’s upbringing in Charlotte, North Carolina, provided him with a supportive environment that nurtured his athletic development. The combination of parental guidance from a former elite player and sibling camaraderie in competitive basketball created optimal conditions for his progression through the youth and high school ranks. His father’s experience navigating the transition from high school star to college player to professional hopeful, despite the ultimately unsuccessful professional career, gave Jaden valuable perspective on the challenges ahead of him.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional period in Springer’s professional career. Following his championship experience with the Celtics, he navigated multiple roster moves throughout the 2024-2025 season, joining the Utah Jazz and appearing in games for a franchise in the midst of rebuilding. His three-year contract with Utah represented a commitment from the organization, though he was ultimately waived before the 2025-2026 season began. His brief tenure with the New Orleans Pelicans during training camp did not result in a sustained NBA opportunity, leading to his current assignment with the Birmingham Squadron. This G League context provides Springer with continued development opportunities and a platform to showcase his skills for NBA teams seeking defensive-minded guard depth.