Evan Mobley
Born 2001 · Age 24
American professional basketball player (center/power forward) for the Cleveland Cavaliers; starred at Rancho Christian and USC; 3rd overall pick in 2021 NBA Draft; NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2025) and 2025 All-Star.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in San Diego, California
Evan Mobley was born in San Diego, California to Eric and Nicol Mobley.
Became more interested in basketball in eighth grade
Mobley was initially reluctant to play but grew interested in eighth grade when he was approximately 6'4".
Started high school basketball at Rancho Christian (freshman)
Began playing varsity/high school basketball as a freshman at Rancho Christian School in Temecula, CA; played with older brother Isaiah for first three years.
Father Eric Mobley hired as USC assistant coach
Eric Mobley (Evan's father) was hired as assistant coach at USC, later working with his sons.
Gold medal — USA U17 World Cup (Argentina)
Mobley played for USA at the 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup, averaging 9.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG and 2.6 APG across seven games, helping win gold.
Consensus five-star recruit (class of 2020)
Considered a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top three players in the 2020 class; at one point ranked ahead of Cade Cunningham.
Junior season — Rancho Christian stats and state honors
As a junior (2018-19) averaged 19.2 PPG, 10.4 RPG and 4.7 BPG; named California Gatorade Player of the Year and The Press-Enterprise player of the year.
Celebrated 18th birthday and USA U19 roster selection
Reported he celebrated his 18th birthday shortly before being named to the USA U19 World Cup team.
USA U19 World Cup (Greece) — team won gold; limited minutes
Joined United States at 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup; limited to two games/7 minutes due to back spasms; team won gold.
Committed to USC
Verbally committed to play college basketball at the University of Southern California over offers from several major programs.
Consensus second-team All-American (2021 season recognition)
Earned national All-American recognition for his lone USC season (consensus second-team All-American in 2021).
Senior season — Rancho Christian stats and awards
Senior (2019-20) averaged 20.5 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 5.2 BPG and 4.6 APG; led team to 22–8; repeated as California Gatorade POY and earned Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year.
McDonald's All-American/Other showcase selections canceled
Selected to participate in McDonald's All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit, all canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
USC college debut — 21 points, 9 rebounds
In USC debut scored 21 points and nine rebounds in a 95–87 OT win over California Baptist.
USC statistical milestones (freshman season)
Led Pac-12 in rebounds (8.7), blocks (2.9) and double-doubles (12); 95 total blocks (USC freshman record) and led NCAA freshmen in total rebounds (286).
Pac-12 Tournament standout — career-highs
Posted career-high 26 points with nine rebounds and five blocks in Pac-12 tournament quarterfinals (Mar 11) and again scored 26 in semifinals (Mar 13).
Pac-12 Player, Defensive and Freshman of the Year
Named Pac-12 Player of the Year, Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and Pac-12 Freshman of the Year — became second player from a major conference to win all three.
Declared for 2021 NBA Draft
Forfeited remaining college eligibility and declared for the 2021 NBA draft.
Selected 3rd overall in 2021 NBA Draft
Selected third overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2021 NBA Draft (1st round, pick 3).
Signed rookie contract with Cleveland Cavaliers
Signed with the Cavaliers; entered the NBA under a rookie scale contract typical for a top-3 pick.
Summer League debut — 12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks
Made summer league debut vs Houston Rockets: posted 12 points, five rebounds and three blocks in 28 minutes.
NBA regular-season debut — 17 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists
Debuted in regular season against Memphis Grizzlies with 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists in a 132–121 loss.
Suffered sprained right elbow
Sustained a sprained right elbow (expected MRI) in a loss to the Boston Celtics.
Named NBA Eastern Rookie of the Month (Oct/Nov)
Earned Kia NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors for games played in Oct/Nov.
Recorded five blocks — first Cavs rookie since LeBron (2004)
Became the first Cleveland rookie since LeBron James (March 2004) to record five blocks in a single NBA game.
Led rookies in rebounds and blocks per game (2021–22)
Finished his rookie NBA season leading all rookies in rebounds and blocks per game.
Finished rookie season strong — All-Rookie First Team & ROY runner-up
Started all 69 games, averaged 15.0 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.7 BPG; named to NBA All-Rookie First Team and finished runner-up to Scottie Barnes in Rookie of the Year voting.
Brother Isaiah drafted to NBA (Cleveland Cavaliers, 2nd round)
Evan's older brother Isaiah was selected in the second round of the 2022 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, rejoining Evan in the organization.
Cavaliers 50-win season and No. 4 seed
Helped Cleveland earn the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference and their first 50-win season since 1993 (without LeBron James on roster).
Led NBA in dunks (214) for 2022–23 season
Finished the 2022–23 regular season as the NBA leader in dunks with 214.
Career-high 38 points vs Milwaukee Bucks
Scored a then career-high 38 points (19-of-27 FG) plus nine rebounds and three assists — notable statline without FT or 3-pointer.
Finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting
Placed third in voting for the 2022-23 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
Named to NBA All-Defensive First Team (2023)
Selected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team for the 2022-23 season.
17 points, 19 rebounds, 7 blocks (NBA Cup game)
Recorded 17 points, 19 rebounds and 7 blocks in a 128–105 win over the Atlanta Hawks — season high in blocks and career-high in rebounds.
Arthroscopic left knee surgery; out 6–8 weeks
Underwent arthroscopic left knee surgery to treat discomfort and was sidelined approximately 6–8 weeks.
Personal & family context — upbringing and siblings
Grew up in basketball household; father Eric played professionally overseas and coached AAU for 11 years; mother Nicol is an elementary school teacher; grew up with three foster siblings (including an exchange student).
Basketball-reference career earnings figure (reported)
Basketball-Reference reporting indicated Mobley had made at least $36,664,177 playing professional basketball (figure reflects salary/earnings, not total net worth).
Playoff career-high 21 points in Game 2 vs Celtics
Recorded a then playoff career-high 21 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, a 118–94 win over Boston.
Playoff 33-point outing in Game 5 elimination vs Celtics
Scored a playoff career-high 33 points in Game 5, but Cleveland lost the series and was eliminated.
Reported long-term contract extension with Cavaliers (reported)
Reports noted Mobley signed a multi-year extension (reported five-year, $224.2M extension that could top out around $269M with incentives); clause boosted to 30% if he won DPOY. (Reporting language ambiguous on exact month/year in source.)
Career-high 41 points vs Hornets
Scored a career-high 41 points (16-of-23 FG), 10 rebounds and 3 blocks, including 6-of-8 from three-point range — rare 40/10/3+blk/5+3PM statline for a player under 25.
Named 2025 NBA All-Star (reserve)
Selected as a reserve for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game — first All-Star selection of his career.
NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2024–25)
Won the 2024–25 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award — first player in Cavaliers franchise history to win DPOY.
DPOY triggers contract bonus clause (reported)
Reports indicated the DPOY win increased his designated percentage of the salary cap from 25% to 30%, adding roughly an extra $45 million to his contract total.
Named to All-NBA Second Team (2025)
Selected to the All-NBA Second Team for the 2024–25 season — first career All-NBA selection.
Key Achievement Ages
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