Kobe Sanders

Sanders is an American guard who reached the NBA as a second-round pick in 2025 after a decorated five-year college career at Cal Poly and Nevada. He has played for the Los Angeles Clippers on a standard contract after a brief two-way start.

Born Kobe Michael Sanders on May 30, 2002, in San Diego, California, he attended Christian High School and averaged 16.7 points and five rebounds as a senior. He committed to Cal Poly for college basketball.

At Cal Poly, Sanders appeared in 100 games with 71 starts over four seasons. He earned All-Big West Honorable Mention honors after averaging 19.6 points as a senior. In December 2023, he set a school record with 17 made free throws in a game without a miss. As a senior, he set Cal Poly's Division I-era single-season record with 174 made free throws. He entered the NCAA transfer portal and moved to Nevada.

At Nevada, Sanders averaged 15.8 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.9 rebounds and was named third-team All-Mountain West. On November 22, 2024, he hit a game-winning three against VCU. He declared for the 2025 NBA draft.

The New York Knicks selected Sanders with the 50th overall pick and traded his rights to the Los Angeles Clippers. On February 7, 2026, the Clippers promoted him from a two-way contract to a standard deal.

Sanders is a scoring guard with a smooth shooting stroke, deep range, and a willingness to take big shots. He operates off screens, relocates for catch-and-shoot opportunities, and has shown the ability to score in bunches. His free throw accuracy and offensive efficiency make him a valuable developmental prospect.

Sanders enters each season as a young guard with the Los Angeles Clippers, carrying the distinction of a Cal Poly record and a second-round draft selection. His trajectory from a San Diego high school to a mid-major standout, a transfer to Nevada, and an NBA draft pick reflects scoring excellence and a commitment to expanding his offensive arsenal at every level.