Chris Livingston Bio
Christopher Michael Livingston, known professionally as Chris Livingston, is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he plays under a two-way contract with the Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League. Born in Akron, Ohio, Livingston emerged as a basketball prodigy from a young age and played high school basketball at various institutions, culminating in his college career at the University of Kentucky. He was selected as the 58th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, reflecting his potential as one of the top players in his class.
Standing 198 cm tall and weighing 100 kg, Livingston combines length and athleticism to play as a forward. Across high school, college, and now the professional ranks, he has been recognized as a McDonald’s All-American, an NBA Cup champion, and a FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship Most Valuable Player.
Early Life and Background
Christopher Michael Livingston was born on October 15, 2003, in Akron, Ohio, United States. He grew up in the same northeast Ohio city that produced generations of basketball talent, and he began playing competitive basketball at age five. Livingston attended Buchtel Community Learning Center in Akron for his freshman year of high school, where he averaged 24.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game. He led Buchtel to its first state final four appearance since 1997 and became the highest-scoring freshman in the school’s history.
For his sophomore season, Livingston transferred to Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio. He averaged 32.5 points, 12.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.9 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game and earned MaxPreps Sophomore All-American first team honors. In a season finale against Bristol High School, he recorded 50 points, 20 rebounds, eight steals, and five blocks in a 76-65 win. As a junior, he returned to Buchtel and posted 31.1 points, 15.8 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 4.7 steals, and 4.0 blocks per game. He finished his senior year at Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, averaging 18.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.9 steals per game.
Livingston has a twin brother, Cordell, who played alongside him at Buchtel, Western Reserve Academy, and Oak Hill Academy.
Path to Basketball
Long before his name appeared on NBA draft boards, Livingston was already on the radar of major college programs. He was offered a scholarship by Ohio State at age 14 and held multiple college basketball offers before entering high school. Recruiting services rated him as a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2022 class. On September 15, 2021, he committed to playing college basketball at the University of Kentucky over offers from Georgetown and Tennessee State.
At the international level, Livingston represented the United States at the 2019 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Belém, Brazil. He led the team to the gold medal, recording 23 points, six rebounds, and two assists in a 94-77 win over Canada in the final. His performance earned him tournament Most Valuable Player honors and a place on the all-tournament team. He was also named a McDonald’s All-American in 2022, cementing his status as one of the premier prospects in his graduating class.
Chris Livingston Career
College Career (2022–2023)
Livingston enrolled at the University of Kentucky for the 2022-23 season and quickly carved out a role on a deep Wildcats roster. As a freshman, he played in 34 games and made 26 starts, averaging 6.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in 22.4 minutes per game. His combination of size, versatility, and motor helped him earn consistent minutes against top-tier Southeastern Conference competition.
At the conclusion of his freshman campaign, Livingston was named to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team, an honor reserved for the top first-year performers in the league. After one season at Kentucky, he declared for the 2023 NBA Draft.
Milwaukee Bucks and Wisconsin Herd (2023–2025)
Livingston was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks as the 58th and final pick of the 2023 NBA Draft. On July 9, 2023, he signed a contract with the Bucks and began splitting time between Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Herd of the NBA G League. Across his rookie and sophomore seasons, he was assigned multiple times to the Herd to continue his development.
During the 2024-25 NBA season, Livingston made 21 appearances for the Bucks, averaging 1.4 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.2 assists per game. He was part of a Bucks roster that captured the 2024 NBA Cup championship. Milwaukee waived him on July 2, 2025, re-signed him on July 16, and then waived him for a second time on October 16, 2025.
Cleveland Cavaliers Era (2025–Present)
On October 31, 2025, Livingston signed a two-way contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, linking him to the Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League. The move gave him a fresh opportunity to develop within a young Cavaliers system while remaining eligible to be called up to the NBA parent club. His path from a late second-round pick to a two-way contract reflects the perseverance that has defined his career arc.
Driving Style and Strengths
Livingston plays with energy and physicality, using his 198 cm frame to finish around the rim, defend multiple positions, and rebound on both ends of the floor. His high school production as a passer and ball-handler suggests point-forward upside, and he has shown a willingness to compete on the defensive glass. Coaches have valued his work ethic and willingness to embrace developmental assignments in the G League.
Notable Events and Milestones
Livingston’s career is already studded with significant milestones. He earned 2019 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship MVP honors, was a 2022 McDonald’s All-American, claimed 2023 SEC All-Freshman Team recognition, and won the 2024 NBA Cup as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. Being selected 58th overall in 2023 and then securing an NBA Cup ring in his first two professional seasons underscores his rapid rise.
Chris Livingston Career Wins
Although Livingston’s individual career is still in its early stages, he has already collected major team and individual accolades. He won the 2019 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship gold medal with the United States and earned Most Valuable Player honors at that tournament. As a professional, he was part of the Milwaukee Bucks team that won the 2024 NBA Cup. He also earned Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team honors in 2023 and McDonald’s All-American recognition in 2022.
Major Honors and Performances
Livingston’s high school résumé includes leading Buchtel to its first state final four since 1997, posting a 50-point, 20-rebound game for Western Reserve Academy, and starring at Oak Hill Academy as a senior. His gold medal and MVP award at the 2019 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship remain among his most decorated international achievements. At Kentucky, his SEC All-Freshman Team selection stood as the top individual accolade of his lone college season.
Chris Livingston Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Christopher Michael Livingston was raised in Akron, Ohio, in a family with strong basketball ties. He has a twin brother, Cordell Livingston, who played high school basketball alongside him at Buchtel, Western Reserve Academy, and Oak Hill Academy. The brothers shared a competitive journey across multiple prep programs in Ohio and Virginia.
Personal Life
Livingston maintains a public presence through his social media accounts, including an Instagram account under the handle chris__livingston and a Twitter account at _chrisliv24. He continues to focus on his professional basketball career with the Cleveland Cavaliers organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been a turning point for Livingston. He spent the early portion of the year with the Milwaukee Bucks, appearing in 21 NBA games during the 2024-25 season while shuttling between Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Herd. His contributions helped the Bucks capture the 2024 NBA Cup during the in-season tournament held late in the 2024 portion of the schedule.
In July 2025, Milwaukee waived Livingston before re-signing him a fortnight later, and then waived him a second time on October 16, 2025. Just two weeks after that second waiver, on October 31, 2025, he signed a two-way contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, joining the Cleveland Charge. The quick turnaround from release to a new opportunity reflected continued league-wide confidence in his upside.
Looking ahead, Livingston’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 and beyond centers on developing within the Cavaliers system, earning NBA minutes through his two-way deal, and continuing to refine his all-around game. With size, athleticism, and a championship résumé already in hand, he remains a young forward with room to grow in the NBA.