Jerami Grant Bio
Jerami Grant is an American professional basketball player who currently serves as a power forward and small forward for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on March 12, 1994, in Portland, Oregon, Grant comes from a distinguished basketball family as the son of former NBA player Harvey Grant and nephew of four-time NBA champion Horace Grant. He played college basketball for the Syracuse Orange before entering the NBA draft in 2014. Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 39th overall pick in the second round, Grant has since developed into a versatile two-way player. Over his NBA career spanning more than a decade, he has played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, and Portland Trail Blazers. Grant also represented the United States on the 2020 Olympic team, capturing a gold medal in Tokyo.
Early Life and Background
Grant grew up in Portland, Oregon, immersed in basketball from an early age due to his family’s deep roots in the sport. His father, Harvey Grant, played 12 seasons in the NBA with the Washington Bullets, Portland Trail Blazers, and Milwaukee Bucks. His uncle, Horace Grant, was a four-time NBA champion, winning three championships with the Chicago Bulls and one with the Los Angeles Lakers. Two of Grant’s brothers, Jerai and Jerian, also pursued professional basketball careers. This family environment naturally fostered Grant’s passion and development in the game.
Grant attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, one of the premier basketball programs in the country. During his senior season in 2011-12, he averaged 12.5 points per game while appearing in 23 games. Recognized as a four-star recruit by ESPN.com, Grant was rated as the No. 11 power forward and the No. 37 overall player in the nation for the class of 2012.
Path to Basketball
Following his standout high school career, Grant enrolled at Syracuse University, joining the Syracuse Orange basketball program in 2012. He initially started his college career as a guard before transitioning to the small forward position, showcasing his positional versatility. During his sophomore and final collegiate season in 2013-14, Grant averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while shooting an impressive 49.6 percent from the floor. He scored in double figures in 24 of 32 games and achieved a 19-point performance three times. His strong play earned him recognition as a 2014 All-ACC Honorable Mention selection. In April 2014, Grant declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final two years of college eligibility to pursue his professional career.
Jerami Grant Career
Philadelphia 76ers (2014-2016)
On June 26, 2014, Grant was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 39th overall pick in the second round of the NBA draft. He signed a four-year deal with the franchise in September 2014. On January 21, 2015, Grant recorded eight blocks in a game against the New York Knicks, marking the most blocks in a single game for a 76ers rookie since Shawn Bradley achieved nine blocks in January 1994. That performance also represented the most blocks by a 76er since Samuel Dalembert had nine blocks in December 2007. Grant continued to develop throughout his rookie season and on February 2, 2015, he posted a season-best performance with 18 points and seven rebounds in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Grant returned for his second season with the 76ers, competing in the 2015 NBA Summer League. On November 11, 2015, he recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds against the Toronto Raptors. On December 30, 2015, he posted a then career-high of 11 rebounds alongside 16 points and five blocks in a 110-105 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
Oklahoma City Thunder (2016-2019)
On November 1, 2016, Grant was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Ersan Ilyasova and a protected draft pick. He made his Thunder debut the following day, contributing six points, two rebounds, and two blocks in 18 minutes off the bench during an 85-83 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Grant steadily improved during his Thunder tenure, re-signing with the team on July 7, 2018, on a three-year, $27 million contract. On January 10, 2019, he scored a then career-high 25 points to go with 12 rebounds in a double-overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He followed that with 27 points against the Miami Heat on March 18, 2019, and set another career high with 28 points in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks on April 10, 2019.
Denver Nuggets (2019-2020)
On July 8, 2019, Grant was traded to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for a 2020 first-round draft pick. The move positioned him as a key contributor for a Nuggets team with championship aspirations. On February 25, 2020, he scored a then career-high 29 points in a win over the Detroit Pistons. During the Nuggets’ playoff run that season, Grant played a crucial role in their Western Conference Semifinals victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games. In Game 7, he outscored Paul George 14 to 10 while playing fewer minutes. Though the Nuggets fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, Grant averaged 11.6 points and 3.3 rebounds throughout the playoffs, demonstrating his ability to perform on the biggest stage.
Detroit Pistons (2020-2022)
On November 22, 2020, Grant signed a three-year, $60 million contract with the Detroit Pistons through a sign-and-trade with the Denver Nuggets. He immediately became a focal point of Detroit’s offense and responded with the best statistical season of his career. On February 17, 2021, he scored a then career-high 43 points in a narrow loss to the Chicago Bulls. Grant finished as a finalist for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, placing second behind Julius Randle, while setting career highs in points per game. However, his 2021-22 season was interrupted by injuries, including a right thumb injury in December 2021 that required surgery and a subsequent calf strain that ended his season in March 2022.
Portland Trail Blazers (2022-Present)
On July 6, 2022, Grant was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, joining his hometown team. He made an immediate impact, opening the 2022-23 season with a game-winning layup against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 23. On November 4, 2022, he scored 30 points and hit a game-winning jumper against the Phoenix Suns. On November 25, 2022, Grant posted a then career-high 44 points in an overtime victory over the New York Knicks. Recognizing his value, the Trail Blazers secured Grant to a five-year, $160 million contract extension on July 9, 2023.
On February 8, 2024, Grant established his career-high by scoring 49 points in a game against his former team, the Detroit Pistons, though the Trail Blazers fell short in that contest. He continues to serve as a versatile forward capable of scoring from multiple positions and defending various roles.
Driving Style and Strengths
Grant has established himself as a versatile two-way player excelling at both ends of the court. His 6-foot-7 frame allows him to play both forward positions effectively. On offense, he has developed a reliable mid-range game and three-point shooting, making him a consistent scoring threat. Defensively, his length, athleticism, and basketball IQ enable him to guard multiple positions, making him valuable in switching schemes. His ability to space the floor while also attacking the basket gives his teams lineup flexibility.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Grant’s most significant career moments are winning the gold medal with Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, his 49-point performance in February 2024, his pivotal role in Denver’s upset victory over the Clippers in the 2020 playoffs, and his career-high scoring spree with Detroit during the 2020-21 season. His journey from a second-round draft pick to a $160 million franchise player represents steady development and sustained excellence.
Jerami Grant Career Highlights
Throughout his NBA career, Grant has developed from a role player into a consistent scoring option and reliable defender. His career statistics reflect his evolution as a player capable of contributing across multiple categories.
NBA Highlights
Grant’s career highlights include scoring 49 points against the Detroit Pistons on February 8, 2024, setting his career-high mark. He has recorded multiple 40-point games and numerous 30-point performances throughout his career. His ability to score efficiently while playing within various team systems has been a hallmark of his professional career. Grant’s contributions have been particularly notable during playoff competition, where he has delivered several key performances against high-profile opponents.
Olympic Achievement
On June 28, 2021, Grant represented the United States on the 2020 Olympic basketball team that competed in Tokyo. The team captured the gold medal, with Grant contributing his defensive versatility and scoring ability throughout the tournament. This achievement marked the pinnacle of his international career and added Olympic champion to his basketball accomplishments.
Jerami Grant Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Grant comes from an exceptional basketball family with deep NBA roots. His father, Harvey Grant, played 12 seasons in the NBA, establishing a professional basketball career before Jerami was born. His uncle, Horace Grant, was a dominant force in the league, winning four NBA championships, three with the Chicago Bulls during their first three-peat and one with the Los Angeles Lakers. This family legacy has provided Grant with invaluable basketball knowledge and mentorship throughout his development.
Personal Life
Grant has three brothers: Jerai, Jerian, and Jaelin. His brothers Jerai and Jerian also pursued professional basketball careers. Jerian has played for various teams including Panathinaikos in the Greek Basketball League and the EuroLeague. In May 2024, Grant expanded his basketball involvement beyond playing by becoming a minority owner of D.C. United, his hometown Major League Soccer team. This investment demonstrates Grant’s interest in sports business and his commitment to the Portland community where he was raised.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2024-25 NBA season, Grant remains a key contributor for the Portland Trail Blazers. Now in his twelfth professional season, he brings veteran leadership to a young Trail Blazers roster that includes emerging talents such as Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. His consistent scoring ability and defensive versatility continue to provide stability for a team in a development phase.
Grant’s presence allows the Trail Blazers to maintain offensive production while their younger players continue to develop. His career-high 49-point performance from the previous season demonstrated his ability to take over games when needed, and that scoring prowess remains a valuable weapon in Portland’s system. The team’s front office has invested significantly in Grant, and his performance in 2025 will be important as the Trail Blazers look to build around their core young players while maintaining competitive play.