Zach LaVine
Born 1995 · Age 30
American professional basketball player. Drafted 13th overall in 2014 by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion, two-time NBA All-Star (2021, 2022), 2020 Olympic gold medalist, played for Minnesota (2014–2017), Chicago (2017–2025) and Sacramento (2025–present).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Renton, Washington
Zachary Thomas LaVine born in Renton, WA to athletic parents (father Paul, former USFL/NFL player; mother CJ, softball player).
Developed interest in basketball after Space Jam
Around age five, became interested in basketball after watching Michael Jordan in Space Jam; later idolized Kobe Bryant and practiced in backyard.
Verbally committed to UCLA
LaVine verbally committed to play for UCLA under coach Ben Howland for the 2013 season.
Senior season at Bothell HS — WA Player of the Year & Mr. Basketball
As a senior averaged 28.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG and 2.5 APG; named 2013 AP Washington state player of the year and Washington Mr. Basketball; first-team Parade All‑American.
Won Ballislife All‑American Game dunk contest
Participated in Ballislife All‑American Game and won the event's slam dunk contest.
Rated four‑star recruit (Rivals)
Considered a four-star recruit; listed No. 12 shooting guard and No. 44 player nationally in the 2013 class.
Enrolled at UCLA and played 2013–14
Joined UCLA Bruins for the 2013–14 season; used as sixth man early with notable outside shooting and dunks.
Rookie season averages
In 2014–15 played 77 games (40 starts) and averaged 10.1 PPG, 2.8 RPG and 3.6 APG; shot 42.2% FG and 34.1% 3P.
Named to Pac‑12 All‑Freshman Team
Voted to the Pac‑12 All‑Freshman Team and named UCLA's co-Most Valuable Freshman with Bryce Alford for 2013–14.
Declared for 2014 NBA Draft (forgoing remaining eligibility)
Announced intention to enter the 2014 NBA draft, foregoing his final three years of college eligibility.
Selected 13th overall in 2014 NBA Draft
Selected in the first round (13th overall) of the 2014 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Signed rookie scale contract with Timberwolves
Signed his rookie-scale NBA contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves on July 8, 2014.
Recorded first NBA double‑double
Scored 22 points and 10 assists — his first career double-double — against the San Antonio Spurs.
Named to NBA All‑Rookie Second Team
Finished his rookie year named to the NBA All‑Rookie Second Team.
Youngest Slam Dunk Contest champion since Kobe Bryant
When he won the 2015 Slam Dunk Contest he was the youngest winner since Kobe Bryant (1997).
Rising Stars participant (2015)
Participated in the 2015 Rising Stars Challenge during NBA All‑Star Weekend as a Timberwolves representative.
Won 2015 NBA Slam Dunk Contest
Won the 2015 NBA All‑Star Weekend Slam Dunk Contest (youngest champion since Kobe Bryant in 1997).
Scored season‑high 37 points (rookie season)
Scored a season-high 37 points and nine rebounds in a loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Timberwolves exercised third‑year option
Minnesota exercised the third‑year team option on LaVine's rookie scale contract, extending through 2016–17.
Guest‑starred on Disney XD's 'Kirby Buckets'
Made a guest appearance on an episode of the television series Kirby Buckets (March 2016).
Fourth player to win consecutive Slam Dunk Contests
By winning the 2015 and 2016 contests, LaVine joined Jordan, Jason Richardson and Nate Robinson as players with consecutive dunk contest titles.
Rising Stars MVP and 2016 Slam Dunk Contest champion
Scored 30 points in the Rising Stars Challenge to earn MVP honors and won his second consecutive Slam Dunk Contest (2016 All‑Star Weekend).
Timberwolves exercised fourth‑year option
Minnesota exercised the fourth-year team option on LaVine's rookie scale contract, extending through 2017–18.
Set then career‑high with 40 points
Scored a then-career-high 40 points and made seven three-pointers in a game against the Sacramento Kings.
Tore ACL in left knee — season-ending injury
MRI revealed a torn ACL in his left knee; ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Underwent ACL reconstruction surgery
Underwent successful surgery to reconstruct torn ACL in his left knee.
Traded to Chicago Bulls
Traded (June 22, 2017) to the Chicago Bulls along with Kris Dunn and rights to Lauri Markkanen in exchange for Jimmy Butler and rights to Justin Patton.
Returned from ACL injury — first game in 11 months
Scored 14 points in his first game back (Jan 13, 2018) in a Bulls win over the Detroit Pistons after 11 months out.
Scored season‑high 35 points vs Timberwolves
Scored 35 points in a 114–113 win over his former team, the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Received four‑year, $80M offer sheet from Kings
As a restricted free agent, LaVine received a four‑year, $80 million offer sheet from the Sacramento Kings (July 6, 2018).
Bulls matched Kings' $80M offer
Chicago exercised its right of first refusal and matched the Kings' four‑year, $80M offer sheet to retain LaVine.
Clutch winner vs Hornets — streak of 30+ PPG to start season
Made two free throws with 0.5 seconds left to beat Charlotte; had his fourth straight 30-point game to begin the season (one of three Bulls to start a season with 3+ straight 30+ games).
Career‑high 41 points (first 41)
Scored a then-career-high 41 points, including a game-winning free throw with 0.2 seconds left in double overtime vs. the New York Knicks.
Career‑high 42 points vs Celtics
Scored a then-career-high 42 points in a 126–116 win over the Boston Celtics.
Scored 47 in 4‑OT — one of NBA's highest scoring games
Scored 47 points in a 168–161 quadruple-overtime win over the Atlanta Hawks (third-highest-scoring game in NBA history).
39 points and go‑ahead layup vs 76ers
Scored 39 points and hit a go-ahead layup in the closing seconds to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 108–107.
Scored career‑high 49 with 13 three‑pointers
Scored a then-career-high 49 points, making 13 three-pointers and hitting the game-winning three to defeat the Charlotte Hornets 116–115.
Near triple‑double: 44/10/8 vs Cavaliers
Recorded 44 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in a 118–106 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Became engaged to longtime girlfriend
Reportedly became engaged in April 2020 to his longtime girlfriend.
Averaged career‑high 27.4 PPG (2020–21 season)
Ended 2020–21 with career highs: 27.4 PPG (7th in NBA), 5.0 RPG, 4.9 APG, 41.9% 3P, 50.7% FG.
Season‑high 46 with nine 3‑pointers
Scored a season-high 46 points and hit nine 3-pointers in a victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Named 2021 NBA All‑Star (reserve) — first All‑Star selection
Selected as a reserve for the 2021 NBA All‑Star Game — his first All‑Star selection and first Bulls All‑Star since Jimmy Butler (2017).
Scored career‑high 50 points (39 in first half)
Scored 50 points (39 in the first half) in a 120–108 loss to the Atlanta Hawks — then career high.
Selected to 2020 U.S. Olympic Team (Tokyo, played in 2021)
Selected as part of Team USA for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021); played primarily as sixth man, averaged 10.6 PPG and shot team‑best 47% from three prior to the gold medal game.
Won Olympic Gold Medal (Tokyo 2020 held 2021)
LaVine and Team USA won the Olympic gold medal in men's basketball at Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021).
Season‑high 36 vs Nuggets (2021–22)
Scored 36 points in a 114–108 road victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Named 2022 NBA All‑Star (reserve)
Named a reserve for the 2022 NBA All‑Star Game — second consecutive All‑Star selection.
Posted 24/5/13 in Game 4 of first round vs Bucks
Recorded 24 points, 5 rebounds and 13 assists in Game 4 of the first round (playoffs), Bulls lost 95–119 to Milwaukee.
Underwent left knee surgery
Underwent left knee surgery (May 24, 2022) following the season/playoffs.
Re‑signed with Bulls on five‑year max contract
Re‑signed with the Chicago Bulls on a new five‑year maximum contract (July 7, 2022).
Birth of first child — Saint Thomas LaVine
His first child, Saint Thomas LaVine, was born in August 2022.
Scored 41 points vs Kings (Dec 4, 2022)
Recorded 41 points, eight rebounds and four steals in a 110–101 loss to the Sacramento Kings.
Season‑high 43 vs Pistons
Scored a season-high 43 points on 15‑of‑20 shooting with six assists in a 132–118 win over the Detroit Pistons.
Scored 41 with 11 three‑pointers (11‑of‑13)
Scored 41 points on 14‑of‑19 shooting and 11‑of‑13 from beyond the arc in a 126–112 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Combined Bulls scoring record with DeMar DeRozan (88 points)
LaVine (39) and DeRozan (49) combined for 88 points in a 139–131 win over the Timberwolves — most by a duo in Bulls history.
Career‑high 51 points vs Pistons
Scored a career-high 51 points in a 118–102 loss to the Detroit Pistons.
Season‑ending right foot surgery announced
Bulls announced LaVine would undergo season-ending surgery on his right foot as part of his recovery.
Bulls all‑time 3‑point leader (as Bull) — surpassed Kirk Hinrich
Recorded 29 points in a loss to the Boston Celtics and reached 1,051 three‑pointers made as a Bull, becoming the franchise's leader in threes made.
Estimated net worth (approximation as of 2025)
Estimated personal net worth after career earnings, endorsements, investments and living expenses — professional estimate based on reported salary totals and typical net worth ratios for players with similar earnings.
Career earnings milestone (reported aggregate)
Sources report LaVine has earned at least $209,339,957 in NBA salaries over his career (aggregate figure from public contract data).
Traded to Sacramento Kings (three‑team trade)
Traded to the Sacramento Kings along with Sidy Cissoko, three first‑round picks and three second‑round picks in a three-team deal involving the Spurs.
Scored season‑high 42 for Kings (16‑of‑19 shooting)
Scored a season-high 42 points on 16‑of‑19 shooting and 8‑of‑9 from three in a 130–88 win over Charlotte.
Play‑In / Playoff contributions for Kings (2024–25)
Notable late‑season / Play‑In performances in April 2025 including 20 points in a Play‑In Game loss to Dallas and other multi‑game contributions.
Key Achievement Ages
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