Daniel Gafford

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Daniel Gafford
Gafford with the Washington Wizards in 2021
No. 21 – Dallas Mavericks
PositionCenter / power forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1998-10-01) October 1, 1998 (age 26)
El Dorado, Arkansas, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High schoolEl Dorado (El Dorado, Arkansas)
CollegeArkansas (2017–2019)
NBA draft2019: 2nd round, 38th overall pick
Drafted byChicago Bulls
Playing career2019–present
Career history
2019–2021Chicago Bulls
2019→Windy City Bulls
2021–2024Washington Wizards
2024–presentDallas Mavericks
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Daniel Gafford (born October 1, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks 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. 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.[1]

On August 1, 2015, Gafford committed to the University of Arkansas.[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]

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.[7]

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.[8]

Professional career

Chicago Bulls (2019–2021)

Gafford was the 38th overall selection by the Chicago Bulls in the 2019 NBA draft.[9] On July 8, 2019, the Chicago Bulls declared that they had signed Gafford.[10] 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.[11] 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.[12]

Washington Wizards (2021–2024)

On March 25, 2021, Gafford was traded to the Washington Wizards in a three-team trade involving the Boston Celtics.[13] 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.[14]

On March 7, 2023, Gafford made a buzzer-beating, game-winning putback in a 119–117 win over the Detroit Pistons.[15]

Dallas Mavericks (2024–present)

On February 8, 2024, Gafford was traded to the Dallas Mavericks for Richaun Holmes and draft compensation.[16] Two days later, on February 10, Gafford made his Mavericks debut, recording 19 points and nine rebounds in a 146–111 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.[17]

Shortly after joining the Mavericks, Gafford set a record of 33 consecutive made field goals, second all-time to Wilt Chamberlain's record of 35.[18][19] The streak lasted from March 5 to 13, 2024.[20]

Gafford finished the 2023–2024 season as the NBA field goal percentage leader, with a percentage of 72.5% with 348 out of 480 shots made.[21][22][23] Gafford helped the Mavericks reach the NBA Finals where they lost to the Boston Celtics in five games.[24]

On January 15, 2025, Gafford put up a career-high 27 points, along with 12 rebounds in a 119–116 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.[25] On January 20, Gafford put up a career-high 31 points, along with 15 rebounds, seven blocks, three assists, and one steal in a 110–105 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.[26]

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
 *  Led the league

NBA

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2019–20 Chicago 43 7 14.2 .701 — .533 2.5 .5 .3 1.3 5.1
2020–21 Chicago 31 11 12.4 .690 — .659 3.3 .5 .4 1.1 4.7
Washington 23 0 17.8 .681 — .672 5.6 .5 .7 1.8 10.1
2021–22 Washington 72 53 20.1 .693 .000 .699 5.7 .9 .4 1.4 9.4
2022–23 Washington 78 47 20.6 .732 — .679 5.6 1.1 .4 1.3 9.0
2023–24 Washington 45 45 26.5 .690* — .706 8.0 1.5 1.0 2.2 10.9
Dallas 29 21 21.5 .780* — .607 6.9 1.6 .7 1.9 11.2
Career 321 184 19.5 .711 .000 .668 5.4 1.0 .5 1.5 8.7

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021 Washington 5 2 23.4 .846 — .625 5.8 .6 1.0 2.0 11.8
2024 Dallas 22* 22* 20.2 .634 — .631 5.5 .7 .3 1.5 9.0
Career 27 24 20.8 .671 — .629 5.6 .7 .4 1.6 9.5

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 Arkansas 35 26 22.6 .605 – .528 6.2 .7 .5 2.2 11.8
2018–19 Arkansas 32 32 28.7 .660 – .591 8.6 .7 .9 1.9 16.9
Career 67 58 25.5 .635 – .562 7.4 .7 .7 2.1 14.5

References

  1. ^ "High-flying Daniel Gafford a force for surging Arkansas". USA Today. December 22, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  2. ^ Harper, Doc (August 1, 2015). "Arkansas Basketball Recruiting: Daniel Gafford Commits to the Razorbacks". Arkansas Fight. Retrieved June 21, 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. ^ "2019 SEC Men's Basketball Awards announced" (Press release). Southeaster Conference. March 12, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Smith, Sam (June 21, 2019). "John Paxson Pleased With Bulls' Draft Night Additions". NBA.com. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  10. ^ "Bulls Sign Daniel Gafford". NBA.com. July 8, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  11. ^ "Siakam, Anunoby lead Raptors over Bulls 108–84". ESPN.com. October 26, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  12. ^ Taylor, Cody (January 16, 2020). "Bulls rookie Daniel Gafford out 2–4 weeks with a dislocated thumb". Rookie Wire. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  13. ^ "Wizards acquire Gafford and Hutchison". NBA.com. March 25, 2021.
  14. ^ Hughes, Chase (October 19, 2021). "Gafford gets 3-year extension with Wizards". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  15. ^ Villas, Rexwell (March 7, 2023). "Daniel Gafford has Washington fans hyped with buzzer beater vs. Pistons". ClutchPoints. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  16. ^ Sefko, Eddie (February 8, 2024). "Mavericks Acquire Washington, Gafford to Bolster Front Line". Mavs.com. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  17. ^ "Doncic scores 32, Gafford shines in Dallas debut as Mavs thump Thunder 146–111". ESPN.com. February 10, 2024. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  18. ^ "Mavericks big man falls just short of Wilt Chamberlain's record by missing first shot in 34 attempts". CBSSports.com. March 15, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  19. ^ McGregor, Gilbert. "NBA most consecutive field goals made streak: Daniel Gafford comes up short of Wilt Chamberlain's all-time record". www.msn.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  20. ^ Capurso, Tim (March 15, 2024). "Mavericks Player Finally Misses Shot, Falls Just Short of Wilt Chamberlain Record". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  21. ^ Bhattacharya, Ishaan (April 16, 2024). "2023–24 NBA League Leaders: Luka Doncic Wins First Career Scoring Title". Fadeaway World. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  22. ^ Kluska, Kenny (April 15, 2024). "NBA League Leaders For The 2023–24 Regular Season". Last Word On Basketball. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  23. ^ "Leader in NBA field goal percentage". Instagram. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  24. ^ "Boston Celtics defeat Dallas Mavericks to win 2024 NBA Finals". cbsnews.com. June 17, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  25. ^ Mistretta, Joey (January 15, 2025). "Mavericks' Daniel Gafford sets new career-high in dominant performance vs. Pelicans". ClutchPoints. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  26. ^ Mistretta, Joey (January 20, 2025). "Mavericks' honest explanation for costly mistakes in frustrating Hornets loss". ClutchPoints. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
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