DeAndre Jordan

Jordan is one of the most dominant defensive centers of his generation, a rim protector and lob finisher whose athleticism and shot-blocking transformed the Los Angeles Clippers into Lob City and made him a defensive anchor for over a decade. Born Hyland DeAndre Jordan Jr. on July 21, 1988, he attended Episcopal High School and Christian Life Center Academy, averaging 26.1 points, 15.2 rebounds, and 8.1 blocks as a senior. He was rated the No. 8 overall prospect and No. 2 center by Rivals.com. He played one season at Texas A&M, averaging 7.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks, before being drafted 35th overall by the Clippers in 2008.

Jordan spent ten seasons with the Clippers, forming Lob City alongside Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. He led the NBA in rebounding in 2013-14 and 2014-15, was named to the All-NBA First Team in 2016, and was an All-Star in 2017. He holds the NBA career records for highest field goal percentage in both the regular season (67.4%) and playoffs (67.0%). He is the Clippers franchise leader in games played, rebounds, and blocks. In 2018, he signed with Dallas, was traded to New York, and joined Brooklyn. In 2021, he was traded to Detroit, reached a buyout, and signed with the Lakers. After a waiver, he joined Philadelphia, then Denver, where he won his first NBA championship in 2023. He now plays for New Orleans.

Jordan is a defensive force whose value has always been rim protection, rebounding, and lob finishing. His athleticism has declined with age, but his size, experience, and understanding of defensive positioning still make him a useful backup big. His strengths are shot-blocking, rebounding, screen-setting, and finishing at the rim. His weaknesses are his free-throw shooting, which has been historically poor, and his inability to score outside the paint. He is a limited offensive player who relies entirely on passes from teammates. His role in New Orleans is as a veteran presence and third center who provides energy, defense, and leadership.

Jordan's résumé includes third-team Parade All-American, first-team All-Greater Houston, two-time all-state, the No. 8 prospect by Rivals.com, one season at Texas A&M, the 35th pick by the Clippers in 2008, ten seasons with the Clippers, Lob City, two rebounding titles, three All-NBA selections, two All-Defensive selections, an All-Star selection in 2017, the highest career field goal percentage in NBA history, franchise leader in games, rebounds, and blocks for the Clippers, a signing with Dallas, a trade to New York, a signing with Brooklyn, a trade to Detroit, a buyout, a signing with the Lakers, a waiver, a signing with Philadelphia, a signing with Denver, an NBA championship in 2023, a gold medal at the 2016 Olympics, and a current role with the New Orleans Pelicans. His journey from Houston through Texas A&M and into an 18-year NBA career reflects one of the most accomplished and durable big-man careers in modern basketball history.