Kevon Grant Looney Bio
Kevon Grant Looney is an American professional basketball player who currently serves as a power forward and small-ball center for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on February 6, 1996, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Looney has built a reputation as one of the most reliable and versatile big men in professional basketball. After an abbreviated but impressive college career at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he earned All-American honors as a freshman, Looney entered the 2015 NBA Draft and was selected 30th overall by the Golden State Warriors. Over his first decade in the NBA, all spent with the Warriors organization, Looney developed into a key contributor and won three NBA championships while establishing himself as an elite defender capable of guarding all five positions.
Early Life and Background
Kevon Grant Looney was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Doug and Victoria Looney. His father, Doug Looney, played college basketball as a forward at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, and became the school’s career rebounding leader. This basketball lineage would prove influential in shaping Looney’s future. Growing up, Kevon was coached by his father and also watched his older brother Kevin, who was six years older, play pickup games. The family atmosphere around basketball helped develop Looney’s fundamentals from an early age.
Like many young players of his generation, Looney became a Los Angeles Lakers fan and studied the game of Kobe Bryant extensively. He watched tapes of Bryant and worked to incorporate his moves into his own developing skill set. His brother Kevin would let young Kevon play with him, but only if he agreed to rebound more and shoot less. This arrangement inadvertently helped Looney develop his rebounding instincts, which would become one of his trademarks throughout his career.
Path to Basketball
Looney attended Alexander Hamilton High School in Milwaukee, where he quickly established himself as the best player on the team. By his sophomore year in 2012, he was already receiving college recruitment attention. That year, he averaged 20.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, earning Player of the Year honors in the Milwaukee City Conference. As a junior, his numbers improved to 26.1 points, 12.4 rebounds, 7.0 blocks, and 3.1 assists per game, leading a young team to a conference runner-up finish.
In his senior season, Looney averaged 27.9 points, 12.7 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 8.0 blocks per game, putting up statistics that CBS Sports and local publications described as nearly a quadruple-double. Despite being his team’s tallest player, Looney often played point guard and showcased exceptional ball-handling skills for someone of his size. His versatility drew comparisons to Kevin Durant, with some basketball mixtapes hailing him as “the next KD.” Alexander Hamilton went undefeated in conference play to capture its first league title in four years.
Looney’s high school career culminated in him becoming just the second player in Milwaukee Public Schools history to be named a McDonald’s All-American, joining an elite group of only six players in Wisconsin history to achieve this honor. He was also a Parade All-American and earned Wisconsin Mr. Basketball distinction from the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. Major recruiting services ranked him as a five-star prospect, with ESPN.com listing him as the No. 12 player nationally.
Kevon Grant Looney Career
College Career at UCLA (2014-2015)
Looney announced his commitment to UCLA in October 2013, choosing the Bruins over other interested programs. He cited the beautiful campus and his connection with coach Steve Alford’s vision for his development. Upon arriving at UCLA for the summer before his freshman season, Looney suffered a hip injury while playing in the gym when teammate Isaac Hamilton fell into his leg during a rebounding drill. Though he did not miss any games during the season, the injury affected his lateral movement and speed, forcing him to play a more traditional big-man style than his skill set suggested.
Despite the injury limitations, Looney proved to be one of the top freshmen in the country during the 2014-15 season. He debuted with 20 points, nine rebounds, and three assists in the season opener against Montana State, drawing praise for being one of the more impressive freshman debuts in UCLA history. He recorded double-doubles in four of his first five games, becoming the first freshman in UCLA history to achieve that feat. A career-high 27 points and 19 rebounds in a double-overtime win over Stanford highlighted his season.
For the year, Looney averaged 11.6 points and led UCLA with 9.2 rebounds per game, finishing with 15 double-doubles. Among all NCAA freshmen nationally, his double-doubles led the nation while his rebounding ranked second. He shot 47 percent from the field and an impressive 41.5 percent from three-point range. Looney earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors and was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team, establishing himself as a projected NBA lottery pick before deciding to forgo his remaining college eligibility for the 2015 NBA Draft.
Golden State Warriors Era (2015-2025)
The Golden State Warriors selected Looney with the 30th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, acquiring him on the final pick of the first round. Concerns about his hip condition caused his draft stock to drop, but the Warriors were comfortable with his medical situation and potential. On July 8, 2015, he signed his rookie contract and played for the Warriors’ Summer League team. However, he underwent right hip surgery in August to repair a torn labrum, the same type of injury that had plagued him at UCLA.
Looney spent significant time in the D-League with the Santa Cruz Warriors during his rookie season, making his NBA debut in January 2016 against the Dallas Mavericks. He scored on his first professional shot and finished with two points and two rebounds, receiving the game ball afterward. A setback in March 2016 required another surgery on his left hip, limiting him to just five games with Golden State that season. The Warriors finished with an NBA-record 73 wins but lost the Finals to Cleveland in seven games.
The 2016-17 season began with Looney coming to training camp overweight after being unable to play for most of the previous 15 months. He battled for rotation spots but saw limited playing time. A left hip strain sidelined him for most of April, and he missed all 17 playoff games as the Warriors won the championship. Finally healthy for the 2017-18 season, Looney reported to camp having lost 30 pounds after hiring a personal trainer and changing his diet. He became a regular rotation player and showcased his defensive versatility, with coach Steve Kerr calling him “our best switching center.” The Warriors won their second consecutive championship, and Looney played the most minutes (387) of all their centers during the playoffs.
Looney continued his development as a key reserve and eventual starter for the Warriors. During the 2018-19 season, he averaged career highs of 6.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 62.5 percent shooting. His performance in the playoffs was exceptional, including a 19-point game against the Clippers and a 12-point, career-high 14-rebound effort in the Western Conference Finals sweep of Portland. In Game 5 of the Finals against Toronto, he suffered a chest injury but returned to play the remainder of the series.
The 2019-20 season was derailed by a neuropathy condition that had bothered Looney since his second NBA season. The nerve damage caused numbness in his hands, wrists, and feet, and when it reached his hamstrings, he required core muscle surgery in May 2020, limiting him to just 20 games. He bounced back in 2020-21 as the Warriors’ primary center following James Wiseman’s injury, recording a career-high 15 rebounds against Philadelphia while defensively containing Joel Embiid.
Healthy and effective, Looney played all 82 games in the 2021-22 season, making 80 starts and averaging 21.1 minutes and 7.3 rebounds per game. His playoff performance was legendary. In Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals against Memphis, he grabbed a career-high 22 rebounds to clinch the series. Against Dallas in the Conference Finals, he received “MVP” chants after recording his first 20-point game since college with 21 points and 12 rebounds in a comeback victory. He dominated the boards throughout the postseason, helping the Warriors win their fourth championship in eight years.
Looney re-signed with the Warriors in July 2022 on a three-year, $25.5 million contract. He played all 82 games again in 2022-23, averaging career highs of 7.0 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. His rebounding prowess reached historic levels in the playoffs against Sacramento, where he averaged 15.1 rebounds per game and became the first player since Dwight Howard in 2008 to record three games of 20 or more rebounds in a series. On March 7, 2024, his streak of 290 consecutive games played ended, the longest such streak by an active player at that time.
Player Style and Strengths
Standing 6 feet 9 inches with a 7-foot-4-inch wingspan, Looney possesses the length and versatility to excel as both a power forward and a small-ball center. His physical tools enable him to switch assignments and effectively guard all five positions on the court, a skill that has become increasingly valuable in the modern NBA. Looney moves well on the perimeter for his size and is not easily fooled by pump fakes. His defensive instincts and rebounding ability stem from his youth, when his brother’s conditions for playing together forced him to focus on the fundamentals of crashing the boards.
Notable Events and Milestones
Looney’s NBA journey includes several signature performances and milestones. His dominant rebounding display in the 2023 playoffs against Sacramento drew comparisons to legendary big men. His 22-rebound game against Memphis in the 2022 playoffs helped clinch a crucial series victory. His 21-point, 12-rebound performance against Dallas in the 2022 Conference Finals earned him “MVP” chants from the home crowd and marked the first 20-point, 10-rebound game by a Warriors center in the playoffs since Robert Parish in 1977. His 290-game consecutive playing streak demonstrated his durability and importance to Golden State’s rotation.
Kevon Grant Looney Career Wins
Over his first ten seasons in the NBA, all with the Golden State Warriors organization, Looney established himself as a valuable rotation player who contributed to three championship teams. His career is defined more by consistent excellence and intangibles than individual statistical achievements.
Golden State Warriors Highlights
Looney’s most significant career accomplishments came as a member of the Golden State Warriors. He won three NBA championships with the franchise, capturing titles in 2017, 2018, and 2022. While his role varied from year to year based on injuries and team composition, he became increasingly important to the Warriors’ success, particularly as a defensive specialist and rebounding force. His 2022 championship run saw him average 7.5 rebounds and 5.0 points per game during the Finals against Boston, demonstrating his value in the biggest moments.
Other Notable Performances
Throughout his career, Looney has accumulated numerous standout performances that highlighted his unique skill set. His 23-rebound game against the Lakers in the 2023 playoffs was one of several 20-plus rebound performances during that postseason. His game-winning tip-in against Atlanta in January 2023, which included a regular season career-high 20 rebounds, showcased his never-ending motor and clutch abilities. These performances, combined with his day-in, day-out reliability, made him a fan favorite in the Bay Area.
Kevon Grant Looney Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Kevon Grant Looney comes from a basketball family with clear athletic lineage. His father, Doug Looney, played college basketball at Schreiner University and became the school’s career rebounding leader, passing his passion and knowledge for the game to his son. His older brother Kevin also played basketball and served as an early influence and workout partner during Looney’s childhood development. An older sister named Summer completes the immediate family.
Personal Life
Looney’s cousin Nick Young also played in the NBA, and the two were teammates on the Golden State Warriors during the 2017-18 season. This family connection to the NBA provided additional guidance and perspective as Looney navigated his own professional career. Beyond basketball, Looney worked to overcome the neuropathy condition that has affected him since early in his career, demonstrating resilience and professionalism in managing a chronic health issue.
2025 Season Performance
On July 7, 2025, Looney signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, ending his decade-long tenure with the Golden State Warriors and reuniting with former teammate Jordan Poole. The move represented a new chapter for Looney, who felt his playing time with the Warriors had become limited, particularly during the 2025 NBA Playoffs. He believed the team was not utilizing him in ways that suited his strengths, even when matchups appeared favorable for his skill set.
The Pelicans acquired Looney for his veteran experience, rebounding prowess, and defensive versatility. At 29 years old entering the 2025-26 season, Looney brings a wealth of championship experience and a reputation for professionalism. His ability to play multiple positions defensively and provide steady rebounding makes him a valuable piece for a Pelicans team looking to advance in the Western Conference playoff picture. His durability track record, including multiple seasons of playing 82 games, adds stability to the Pelicans’ frontcourt rotation.