Zach LaVine

LaVine is an American guard who has established himself as one of the most athletic scorers in the NBA since being selected in the first round of the 2014 draft. A two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion and multiple-time All-Star, he has transitioned from an explosive dunker to a complete offensive player with deep range.

Born Zachary Thomas LaVine on March 10, 1995, in Renton, Washington, he grew up in the Seattle area. His father, Paul, played professional football in the USFL and NFL, and his mother, CJ, was a softball player. Around age five, LaVine developed an interest in basketball after watching Michael Jordan in Space Jam. He attended Bothell High School, where as a senior he averaged 28.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists and was named 2013 Associated Press Washington state player of the year and Washington Mr. Basketball.

LaVine committed to UCLA on June 20, 2012, and remained after Ben Howland was fired, playing for new coach Steve Alford. After a strong start as the team's sixth man, NBA draft pundits began projecting him as a lottery pick. He declared for the 2014 NBA draft after his freshman season.

The Minnesota Timberwolves selected LaVine 13th overall in the 2014 NBA draft. He won the Slam Dunk Contest as a rookie in 2015 and became the fourth player to win consecutive dunk contests in 2016. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. He was traded to the Chicago Bulls in 2017 and earned his first All-Star selections in 2021 and 2022. He won a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team in Tokyo in 2020. He was traded to the Sacramento Kings in 2025.

LaVine functions as an elite scoring guard with deep range, explosive athleticism, and the ability to get hot quickly. His transition from dunk contest champion to two-time All-Star reflects steady offensive refinement. In the NBA, his value centers on perimeter scoring, off-ball movement, and providing secondary shot creation alongside primary offensive options.