Jake LaRavia

LaRavia is an American forward who entered the NBA as the 19th overall pick in the 2022 draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves and was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies on draft night. He spent two seasons with Memphis before a February 2025 trade sent him to the Sacramento Kings, and in July 2025 he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Born Jacob Glen LaRavia on November 3, 2001, he grew up in Indianapolis after his family moved from Pasadena, California when he was five. He attended Lawrence Central High School, where he was teammates with Nijel Pack and Dre Davis. After a limited early role, he emerged as the team—s leading scorer as a senior, averaging 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.3 steals while earning Indiana All-Star honors and leading Lawrence Central to its first sectional title since 2012. He initially committed to SIU Edwardsville but reopened his recruitment after a coaching change and committed to Indiana State.

As an Indiana State freshman, LaRavia averaged 9.4 points and 5.9 rebounds and was named to the MVC All-Freshman and All-Newcomer Teams. As a sophomore, he averaged 12.3 points and 6.3 rebounds and earned second-team All-MVC honors. Following the departure of coach Greg Lansing, he transferred to Wake Forest. As a junior with the Demon Deacons, he averaged 14.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists and was named to the All-ACC Second Team. On January 22, 2022, he posted a career-high 31 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists in a win over North Carolina. He declared for the 2022 NBA draft on March 29 and announced on June 1 that he would remain in the draft.

The Timberwolves selected LaRavia 19th overall and traded his rights to Memphis along with a future second-round pick for the 22nd and 29th selections, which became Walker Kessler and TyTy Washington. He made his Summer League debut with 13 points against Philadelphia and his NBA debut on October 19, 2022, with five points and two rebounds in an overtime win over the New York Knicks. He was assigned to the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League on March 23, 2023.

On February 6, 2025, LaRavia was traded to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team deal involving Washington, where Marcus Smart and draft capital moved between teams. On July 6, 2025, he signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

LaRavia is a versatile forward with a well-rounded offensive skill set and defensive versatility. At Indiana State and Wake Forest, he demonstrated the ability to score inside, rebound, and facilitate for others, evidenced by his near 14-7-4 stat line as a junior. His size and basketball IQ allow him to play multiple frontcourt positions and contribute as a connector on both ends.

LaRavia joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2025 on a two-year contract, adding frontcourt depth and versatility to the roster. His transition from mid-major standout to NBA first-round pick reflects a steady developmental arc across multiple collegiate programs.