Daniel Gafford
Gafford with the Washington Wizards in 2021
No. 21 – Washington Wizards
PositionCenter / power forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1998-10-01) October 1, 1998
El Dorado, Arkansas, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight234 lb (106 kg)
Career information
High schoolEl Dorado (El Dorado, Arkansas)
CollegeArkansas (2017–2019)
NBA draft2019: 2nd round, 38th overall pick
Selected by the Chicago Bulls
Playing career2019–present
Career history
2019–2021Chicago Bulls
2019→Windy City Bulls
2021–presentWashington Wizards
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All-SEC (2019)
  • SEC All-Defensive team (2019)
  • SEC All-Freshman team (2018)
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com

Daniel Gafford (born October 1, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Arkansas Razorbacks and was drafted in the second round of the 2019 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls. He plays both the power forward and center positions.

High school career

Gafford was a four star recruit in high school, and received offers in 2015 from multiple schools, including Kansas, Vanderbilt, and Florida. On August 1, 2015, Gafford went to Arkansas.[1] Gafford also used to play football growing up and played at wide receiver until ninth grade at El Dorado High School. He was also in the marching band and credits that to the development of his skill set.[2]

College career

In his first start for the Razorbacks, Gafford finished a perfect 8 for 8 shooting, along with 7 rebounds and 6 blocks against Minnesota.[3] Gafford posted 21 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks against No. 14 Auburn.[4] After a freshman season where he averaged 11.8 points 6.2 rebounds per game, Gafford announced that he would return to Arkansas for his sophomore year rather than declare for the 2018 NBA draft.[5] After his freshman season, Gafford was named to the SEC All-Freshman team.[6] On March 18, 2019, after Gafford's sophomore season, it was announced that Gafford would skip the 2019 National Invitation Tournament to prepare for the 2019 NBA draft.[7] Gafford improved his statistics during his second year at Arkansas, averaging 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. He was named to the 2019 SEC All-Defensive Team, as well as a 1st Team All-SEC pick.

Professional career

Chicago Bulls (2019–2021)

Gafford was the 38th overall selection by the Chicago Bulls in the 2019 NBA draft.[8] On July 8, 2019, the Chicago Bulls declared that they had signed Gafford.[9] On October 26, 2019, Gafford played his NBA debut, coming off the bench in an 84–108 loss to the Toronto Raptors with a rebound.[10] He was assigned to the Windy City Bulls for opening night of the NBA G League season. On January 15, 2020, Gafford injured his thumb just 1 minute and 21 seconds into a match against the Washington Wizards. The next day, it was announced that he wouldn't play for around two to four weeks because he had a dislocated thumb.[11]

Washington Wizards (2021–present)

On March 25, 2021, Gafford was traded to the Washington Wizards in a three-team trade involving the Boston Celtics.[12] During the 2021 NBA playoffs, Daniel Gafford broke the all-time record for field goal percentage (minimum 15 shot attempts) with an astounding 84.6%.

On October 18, 2021, Gafford signed a three-year, $40.2 million contract extension with the Wizards.[13]

On March 7, 2023, Gafford made a buzzer-beating, game-winning putback in a 119–117 win over the Detroit Pistons.[14]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2019–20 Chicago 43714.2.701—.5332.5.5.31.35.1
2020–21 Chicago 311112.4.690—.6593.3.5.41.14.7
2020–21 Washington 23017.7.681—.6725.6.5.71.810.1
2021–22 Washington 725320.1.693.000.6995.7.9.41.49.4
2022–23 Washington 784720.6.732—.6795.61.1.41.39.0
Career 24711818.0.706.000.6654.8.8.41.38.0

Play-in

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021 Washington 2021.3.800–.7509.0.5.53.513.5
Career 2021.3.800–.7509.0.5.53.513.5

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021 Washington 5223.4.846—.6255.8.61.02.011.8
Career 5223.4.846—.6255.8.61.02.011.8

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 Arkansas 352622.6.605–.5286.2.7.52.211.8
2018–19 Arkansas 323228.7.660–.5918.6.7.91.916.9
Career 675825.5.635–.5627.4.7.72.114.5

References

  1. ↑ Harper, Doc (August 1, 2015). "Arkansas Basketball Recruiting: Daniel Gafford Commits to the Razorbacks". Arkansas Fight. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  2. ↑ "High-flying Daniel Gafford a force for surging Arkansas". USA Today. December 22, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  3. ↑ Hutchinson, Andrew (December 9, 2017). "Gafford shines in first start". 247Sports. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  4. ↑ Stone, Chris (March 2, 2018). "NBA Draft watch: Arkansas' Daniel Gafford has potential to thrive as traditional big man". Sporting News. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Daniel Gafford to return to Arkansas rather than head to NBA". espn. March 26, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  6. ↑ Hutchinson, Andrew (March 6, 2018). "3 Hogs honored by SEC coaches". 247 Sports. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  7. ↑ Boone, Kyle (March 18, 2019). "Arkansas star Daniel Gafford, projected first-round pick, skipping NIT to prepare for NBA Draft". CBS Sports. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  8. ↑ Smith, Sam (June 21, 2019). "JOHN PAXSON PLEASED WITH BULLS' DRAFT NIGHT ADDITIONS". NBA.com. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  9. ↑ "BULLS SIGN DANIEL GAFFORD". NBA.com. July 8, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Siakam, Anunoby lead Raptors over Bulls 108–84". ESPN.com. October 26, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  11. ↑ Taylor, Cody (January 16, 2020). "Bulls rookie Daniel Gafford out 2–4 weeks with a dislocated thumb". Rookie Wire. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Wizards acquire Gafford and Hutchison". NBA.com. March 25, 2021.
  13. ↑ Hughes, Chase (October 19, 2021). "Gafford gets 3-year extension with Wizards". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  14. ↑ Villas, Rexwell (March 7, 2023). "Daniel Gafford has Washington fans hyped with buzzer beater vs. Pistons". ClutchPoints. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
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