Jonathan Malangu Kuminga Bio
Jonathan Malangu Kuminga (born October 6, 2002) is a Congolese professional basketball player for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 6-foot-7 power forward and small forward began his professional career with the NBA G League Ignite in 2020 before the Golden State Warriors selected him with the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. During his rookie season, Kuminga won an NBA championship with the Warriors in 2022. He later joined the Atlanta Hawks in February 2026 following a trade from Golden State.
Early Life and Background
Jonathan Malangu Kuminga was born on October 6, 2002, in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. He began playing basketball in his home country at just two years of age. In 2016, Kuminga moved to the United States to pursue his basketball ambitions and continue his education. His family’s basketball legacy influenced his development, as two of his cousins went on to play professional basketball: Emmanuel Mudiay, who has played in Puerto Rico, and Omari Gudul, who competes in Europe.
High School Career
Kuminga attended three different high schools during his basketball development. As a freshman, he played for Huntington Prep School in Huntington, West Virginia. For his sophomore season, he transferred to Our Savior New American School in Centereach, New York, where he averaged 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists per game. In January 2019, he was named most valuable player of the Slam Dunk to the Beach showcase after scoring 40 points, setting a single-game record at the event, in a loss to Gonzaga College High School. He earned MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year honors for his performance.
After the sophomore season, Kuminga averaged 20.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game for the NY Rens at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, competing against players older than himself. He notably scored 43 points, shooting 7 of 11 from three-point range, against the Texas Titans, a team featuring top recruits Cade Cunningham and Greg Brown. For his junior season, Kuminga transferred to The Patrick School in Hillside, New Jersey. He made his season debut on December 23, 2019, scoring 20 points in a win over Roselle Catholic High School after being ruled ineligible for 30 days due to transfer rules. As a junior, he averaged 16.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
Path to Professional Basketball
As a high school sophomore, Kuminga emerged as one of the best recruits in the 2021 class, with most recruiting services ranking him first in his class by the time he was a junior. On July 15, 2020, he reclassified to the 2020 class and announced he would bypass college basketball to join the NBA G League Ignite, forgoing offers from programs including Texas Tech, Auburn, Duke, and Kentucky. At the end of his high school career, Kuminga was a consensus five-star recruit and the top small forward in the 2020 class. He was ranked third nationally by Rivals.com and fourth by both 247Sports.com and ESPN.
Jonathan Malangu Kuminga Career
NBA G League Ignite (2020–2021)
On July 15, 2020, Kuminga signed a one-year contract with the NBA G League Ignite, a developmental team affiliated with the NBA G League. On February 10, 2021, he made his debut for the team, recording 19 points, four assists, and four rebounds in a 110–104 win over the Santa Cruz Warriors. Throughout his season with Ignite, Kuminga averaged 15.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, showcasing the versatile skill set that made him a top prospect.
Golden State Warriors (2021–2026)
The Golden State Warriors selected Kuminga with the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. On August 3, 2021, he signed his rookie contract with the team. On October 30, 2021, he made his NBA debut, contributing three points and one steal in a 103–82 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. On December 18, 2021, Kuminga recorded his first career start and delivered a then career-high 26 points in a loss to the Toronto Raptors. On February 18, 2022, he participated in the Rising Stars Challenge game during NBA All-Star Weekend, replacing the injured Chris Duarte.
Kuminga concluded his rookie season as an NBA champion after the Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics in the 2022 NBA Finals. At 19 years and 253 days old, he became the second-youngest NBA champion in history, behind only Darko Miličić. During the 2023–24 season, Kuminga continued developing his offensive game. On January 24, 2024, he scored 25 points on a perfect 11-for-11 shooting from the field in a victory against the Atlanta Hawks, tying Chris Mullin’s Warriors franchise record for the most made shots in a game without a miss.
On December 27, 2024, Kuminga recorded a career-high 34 points, along with 10 rebounds and five assists, in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. The following night, he matched that career-high with 34 points in a win over the Phoenix Suns. On January 4, 2025, he suffered a sprained ankle in a win over the Memphis Grizzlies and missed 31 consecutive games before returning on March 13 in a victory against the Sacramento Kings, contributing 18 points in just 20 minutes of action. Following a prolonged restricted free agency period, Kuminga signed a two-year, $48.5 million contract extension with the Warriors on September 30, 2025.
Golden State Warriors Legacy
During his tenure with the Warriors, Kuminga established himself as a dynamic forward capable of impacting games on both ends of the floor. His combination of size, athleticism, and developing perimeter skills made him a valuable piece in the Warriors’ rotation. He appeared in 20 games during the 2025–26 season before being traded, recording averages of 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.
Atlanta Hawks (2026–Present)
On February 5, 2026, Kuminga and Buddy Hield were traded to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Kristaps Porziņģis. On February 24, 2026, he made his Hawks debut, scoring 27 points on 9-of-12 shooting while adding seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 24 minutes off the bench in a win over the Washington Wizards. He became the first player in Hawks franchise history to score 25 or more points in less than 30 minutes played in a debut performance.
Playoff Performance
The Hawks faced the New York Knicks during their first-round playoff series. On April 18, 2026, Kuminga made his playoff debut for the Hawks, recording eight points and four rebounds in a Game 1 loss. On April 23, he contributed 21 points, four rebounds, and a block in a Game 3 win that gave the Hawks a 2–1 series lead. The team ultimately lost the series in six games, but Kuminga’s playoff performance demonstrated his ability to elevate his game on the biggest stage.
Jonathan Malangu Kuminga Career Wins
Throughout his NBA career, Kuminga has accumulated significant accomplishments across multiple levels of competition. His professional resume includes championship success at the highest level and numerous individual milestones during his young career.
NBA Achievements
Kuminga’s most significant career achievement remains his 2022 NBA Championship win with the Golden State Warriors during his rookie season. This accomplishment placed him among the youngest championship players in NBA history. He has recorded multiple career-high performances, including his 34-point games against the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns during the 2024–25 season. His perfect 11-for-11 shooting night in January 2024 tied a franchise record and demonstrated his efficiency as a scorer.
Pre-NBA Honors
Before entering the professional ranks, Kuminga earned MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year honors and was named MVP of the Slam Dunk to the Beach showcase. He was consistently ranked among the top prospects in his class, ultimately becoming a consensus five-star recruit and the top small forward in his class.
Jonathan Malangu Kuminga Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Basketball runs deep in Kuminga’s family. His older brother, Joel Ntambwe, played college basketball for UNLV before transferring to Texas Tech in 2019. Two of his cousins have also built professional basketball careers: Emmanuel Mudiay, who has played professionally in Puerto Rico, and Omari Gudul, who competes in Europe.
Personal Life
Kuminga’s first language is French, and he has continued learning English since moving to the United States. He grew up in Goma, DR Congo, before relocating to the country in 2016 to pursue his basketball dreams. His international background and multilingual abilities have contributed to his unique perspective as a professional athlete.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 NBA season represented a significant chapter in Kuminga’s development with the Golden State Warriors. He began the season as a key rotation player, showcasing improved offensive consistency and defensive awareness. His career-high 34-point performances during back-to-back games in late December 2024 demonstrated his ability to take over games offensively when called upon.
The season was interrupted when Kuminga suffered a sprained ankle in early January 2025 against the Memphis Grizzlies. The injury forced him to miss 31 consecutive games, a significant setback that disrupted his momentum and role within the team. He returned to action in mid-March and showed rust initially but gradually reclaimed his form as the regular season wound down.
Following the season, Kuminga entered restricted free agency, a process that consumed much of the summer and limited the Warriors’ ability to make other roster moves. The situation was eventually resolved when he signed a lucrative two-year, $48.5 million extension on September 30, 2025. The contract reflected the organization’s belief in his long-term potential and secured his place in the Warriors’ future plans as he entered his fifth professional season.