Corey Kispert Bio
Corey James Kispert is an American professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs, where he was a consensus first-team All-American as a senior. Standing 198 cm tall and weighing 102 kg, Kispert has built his reputation as a sharp-shooting forward in the modern NBA.
Selected 15th overall in the 2021 NBA draft by the Washington Wizards, Kispert quickly developed into a reliable rotation player. He is widely regarded for his three-point shooting and offensive efficiency, and he signed a four-year, $54 million contract extension with Washington in October 2024.
Early Life and Background
Corey James Kispert was born on March 3, 1999, in Edmonds, Washington, USA. He grew up in Edmonds and attended King’s High School, where he emerged as one of the top high school basketball players in the state of Washington. His early years in the Pacific Northwest helped shape his love for the game and laid the foundation for his future career.
As a junior at King’s High School, Kispert averaged 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. He led the team to their second consecutive state title and was named the MVP of the State Championship Tournament. Rated a four-star recruit, Kispert committed to playing college basketball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs over Notre Dame after his junior season.
During his senior year, Kispert was averaging 25 points per game before breaking his foot in February, an injury that temporarily interrupted his momentum. He later shared that Virginia head coach Tony Bennett told him he needed to see him play more against top competition, a comment that motivated Kispert heading into his college career. Virginia had recruited him but did not extend a scholarship offer before he chose Gonzaga.
Path to Basketball
Kispert’s path to the professional level began at Gonzaga, where he joined a Bulldogs program known for developing skilled perimeter players. As a true freshman, he played in all 35 of Gonzaga’s games with seven starts, averaging 6.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. That foundation allowed him to grow into a larger role with the team.
He became a starter going into his sophomore season, averaging eight points and 4.1 rebounds per game. By his junior year, Kispert was named to the Julius Erving Award watchlist and entered the season as Gonzaga’s only returning starter. He averaged 13.9 points per game as a junior and was named First Team All-West Coast Conference. Following that season, he declared for the 2020 NBA draft but did not hire an agent, ultimately choosing to return for his senior year on August 3.
Kispert’s senior season elevated his national profile. He was named to the Preseason All-West Coast Conference team and led Gonzaga to a 31-1 record, with the program’s only loss coming against Baylor in the national championship game. He was named WCC Player of the Year, won the Julius Erving Award as the top small forward in the nation, and earned consensus first-team All-American honors.
Corey Kispert Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Kispert was drafted with the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft by the Washington Wizards on July 29, 2021. On August 4, he signed his rookie scale contract with the team. He made his NBA debut on October 22, scoring two points in a 135-134 overtime win over the Indiana Pacers.
In his rookie year with the Wizards, Kispert averaged 8.2 points per game while adjusting to the pace and physicality of the NBA. His shooting touch and basketball IQ allowed him to carve out a role in the rotation as a versatile forward.
NBA Breakthrough (2022–2024)
In his second NBA season, Kispert averaged 11.1 points per game and posted a three-point percentage of 42.4%, which ranked 10th best in the league. On March 31, 2023, he delivered one of his most memorable performances against the Orlando Magic, making 9 of 14 three-pointers (64.3%) on the way to scoring 27 points. Those nine made three-pointers tied him for the second-most in a single game in Washington Wizards franchise history.
By his third season, Kispert had clearly established himself as a core piece of the Wizards’ young core, averaging 13.4 points per game. His career three-point percentage of 38.2% reflected his consistency as a perimeter shooter, and opposing defenses increasingly game-planned around his shot.
Washington Wizards Era (2024–Present)
On October 21, 2024, Kispert and the Wizards agreed to a four-year, $54 million contract extension, securing his long-term future with the franchise. In 61 appearances during the 2024-25 season, he averaged 11.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, continuing to provide spacing and veteran poise on the wing.
On March 18, 2025, the Wizards announced that Kispert would miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb. Despite the setback, his contract extension underscored the organization’s belief in his long-term value.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kispert is known as an excellent three-point shooter with deep range and quick release. His offensive strengths include floor spacing, off-ball movement, and the ability to score efficiently from the perimeter. He combines high basketball IQ with consistent mechanics, making him a reliable weapon in half-court sets and transition offense.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Kispert’s most notable career milestones are his 2021 Julius Erving Award, his consensus first-team All-American selection, and his record-tying nine three-pointers in a single game for the Wizards. He also scored his 1,000th career collegiate point as a senior at Gonzaga in a 23-point performance against Kansas.
Corey Kispert Career Wins
While individual NBA game totals vary by season, Kispert has consistently produced winning contributions as a shooter and scorer for the Washington Wizards. His breakout 2022-23 campaign and his continued scoring through 2024-25 reinforced his value as a high-impact role player.
NBA Highlights
Kispert’s NBA highlights include his 27-point, nine-three-pointer performance against the Orlando Magic on March 31, 2023, and a second-season three-point percentage of 42.4% that ranked among the league’s best. He has steadily increased his scoring average across each of his first three NBA seasons, growing from 8.2 to 11.1 to 13.4 points per game.
Other Wins & Performances
At the high school level, Kispert led King’s High School to a state championship and was named MVP of the State Championship Tournament as a junior. He capped his senior year at Gonzaga by leading the Bulldogs to a 31-1 record and a national championship game appearance.
Corey Kispert Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kispert is the grandson of Dainard Paulson, a former American Football League player who holds that league’s record for most interceptions in a season. His family’s athletic heritage has been a point of pride throughout his basketball career.
Personal Life
Kispert is a Catholic. While attending Gonzaga, he met his future wife, Jenn Wirth, who also played basketball for the Bulldogs. The couple got married on July 7, 2023, at the Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano, California.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2024-25 NBA season, Kispert appeared in 61 games for the Washington Wizards, averaging 11.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. He continued to serve as a primary floor-spacer and perimeter scorer for the team, building on the progress from his previous campaigns.
His season was cut short on March 18, 2025, when it was announced that he would miss the remainder of the year following surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb. Despite the injury, his four-year, $54 million contract extension signed in October 2024 underscored his importance to the Wizards’ long-term plans.
Looking ahead, Kispert’s recovery and return will be a key storyline for Washington as the team continues to develop its young core. His elite shooting profile and professional approach position him as a central figure in the Wizards’ rotation once he returns to full health.