Daniel Gafford Bio
Daniel Gafford is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 8 inches tall, he plays both the power forward and center positions and is recognized for his shot-blocking, rebounding, and interior scoring. Gafford played college basketball for the Arkansas Razorbacks before being selected in the second round of the 2019 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls.
Over the course of his NBA career, Gafford has suited up for the Chicago Bulls, the Washington Wizards, and the Dallas Mavericks. He has developed into one of the league’s most efficient interior finishers, highlighted by his record-setting field goal percentage during the 2023–2024 NBA season. His combination of size, athleticism, and timing has made him a valued rim protector and lob threat.
Early Life and Background
Daniel Gafford was born on October 1, 1998, in El Dorado, Arkansas. He grew up in the same Arkansas community that he would later represent on the basketball court, and he attended El Dorado High School. Beyond basketball, Gafford also played football as a youth, lining up at wide receiver until the ninth grade. He was also a member of his high school’s marching band, an experience he has credited with helping to develop his coordination and overall athletic skill set.
As a high school player, Gafford emerged as a four-star recruit and drew scholarship offers from several major college programs, including Kansas, Vanderbilt, and Florida. On August 1, 2015, he announced his commitment to the University of Arkansas, choosing to stay in his home state. That same year, Gafford was recognized as Mr. Basketball of Arkansas, cementing his status as one of the top prep players in the state’s history.
Path to Basketball
Gafford’s path to the professional ranks began in earnest at El Dorado High School, where his combination of length, leaping ability, and shot-blocking instincts quickly set him apart. His recruitment by multiple high-major programs confirmed his projection as a future frontcourt prospect at the next level. By the time he finished his prep career, he had established himself as the premier basketball talent in Arkansas.
At the University of Arkansas, Gafford joined the Arkansas Razorbacks program and made an immediate impact in his first start, finishing a perfect 8 for 8 from the field with seven rebounds and six blocks against Minnesota. His freshman campaign averaged 11.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, and he was named to the SEC All-Freshman team. Gafford announced that he would return for his sophomore year, and he continued to elevate his production, averaging 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game as a sophomore, earning First-Team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive Team honors. Following his sophomore season, Gafford decided to forgo his remaining eligibility and the 2019 National Invitation Tournament to declare for the 2019 NBA draft.
Daniel Gafford Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Daniel Gafford was the 38th overall selection in the 2019 NBA draft, picked by the Chicago Bulls. He signed his rookie contract with the Bulls on July 8, 2019, and made his NBA debut on October 26, 2019, coming off the bench in a loss to the Toronto Raptors. Gafford split time during his rookie season between the Bulls and their NBA G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls, gaining valuable developmental minutes.
On January 15, 2020, Gafford suffered a dislocated thumb just one minute and 21 seconds into a game against the Washington Wizards, an injury that sidelined him for several weeks. Despite the setback, he continued to develop as a rim-running big man in Chicago before his time with the Bulls came to a close.
Chicago Bulls Era (2019–2021)
Across his time with the Chicago Bulls, Gafford established himself as an energy big capable of protecting the rim and finishing above it. Although his role fluctuated during his two seasons in Chicago, he provided the team with frontcourt depth and shot-blocking presence. His play during this period was enough to attract the attention of other teams around the league.
Washington Wizards Era (2021–2024)
On March 25, 2021, Gafford was traded to the Washington Wizards in a three-team deal that also involved the Boston Celtics. His most memorable postseason moment came during the 2021 NBA playoffs, when he set the all-time record for single-postseason field goal percentage with a minimum of 15 shot attempts, connecting on 84.6 percent of his attempts. On October 18, 2021, the Wizards rewarded his play with a three-year, $40.2 million contract extension.
Gafford continued to produce memorable moments in Washington, including a buzzer-beating, game-winning putback on March 7, 2023, that delivered a 119–117 victory over the Detroit Pistons. He spent three seasons with the Wizards before being dealt at the trade deadline in 2024.
Dallas Mavericks Era (2024–Present)
On February 8, 2024, Gafford was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in a deal that sent Richaun Holmes and draft compensation to Washington. Two days later, he made his Mavericks debut in style, recording 19 points and nine rebounds in a 146–111 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Shortly after arriving in Dallas, Gafford caught the league’s attention by making 33 consecutive field goals, the second-longest such streak in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 35. The streak stretched from March 5 to March 13, 2024.
Gafford finished the 2023–2024 season as the NBA’s leader in field goal percentage, converting 348 of his 480 attempts for 72.5 percent. He helped the Mavericks reach the NBA Finals, where they were defeated by the Boston Celtics in five games. On July 12, 2025, Gafford signed a three-year, $54 million contract extension with Dallas, keeping him with the franchise through the 2027–2028 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Gafford’s game is built around efficiency, vertical spacing, and rim protection. He excels as a roll man in pick-and-roll situations, finishing lobs at a high rate and rarely turning the ball over. His timing as a help defender and shot-blocker, combined with his length, allows him to anchor a defense around the basket. He is also a willing screener and connective passer, traits that have made him a natural fit alongside high-usage perimeter creators.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Gafford’s defining career moments are his record 33 consecutive made field goals, his 2023–2024 NBA field goal percentage title, and his run to the NBA Finals with the Mavericks. He also posted a career-high 31 points with 15 rebounds, seven blocks, three assists, and one steal in a 110–105 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on January 20, 2025. Earlier that same month, on January 15, 2025, he set a then-career-high of 27 points with 12 rebounds in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
Daniel Gafford Career Wins
Daniel Gafford’s career has been defined more by consistency, efficiency, and team success than by individual trophies. His most prominent achievement came in 2024, when he helped the Dallas Mavericks reach the NBA Finals. Earlier accolades include his 2019 First-Team All-SEC selection, his 2019 SEC All-Defensive Team honor, his 2018 SEC All-Freshman team recognition, and his 2017 Mr. Basketball of Arkansas award.
NBA Highlights
Gafford’s NBA résumé includes his 2023–2024 NBA field goal percentage title, his 33-consecutive-made-field-goals streak, and his trip to the NBA Finals with the Mavericks. He also set the all-time single-postseason field goal percentage record during the 2021 NBA playoffs while with the Washington Wizards. His contract extension with Dallas in 2025 underscores his value as a long-term piece of the Mavericks’ frontcourt.
Other Wins & Performances
At the college level, Gafford earned SEC All-Freshman team honors in 2018, followed by First-Team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive Team selections in 2019. He was also named Mr. Basketball of Arkansas in 2017 after a standout senior season at El Dorado High School.
Daniel Gafford Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Daniel Gafford was raised in El Dorado, Arkansas, the same community where he developed as an athlete. He has spoken about the influence of his hometown and his high school experiences, including time in the marching band, on his development as a player.
Personal Life
Gafford is known publicly for his basketball career and his presence on social media, where fans can follow him on Instagram at big.dandan. Beyond his professional life, he has credited his varied athletic background, including football and marching band, with shaping the coordination and timing that define his game today.
2025 Season Performance
Daniel Gafford entered the 2025 NBA season fresh off his three-year, $54 million contract extension with the Dallas Mavericks, signed on July 12, 2025. He opened the campaign as a key frontcourt contributor for a Mavericks team still looking to build on its 2024 NBA Finals appearance. His role as a rim-running, shot-blocking big continued to be central to Dallas’s interior game plan.
Early in the 2025 calendar year, Gafford produced two of the most impressive individual performances of his career. On January 15, 2025, he tallied 27 points and 12 rebounds against the New Orleans Pelicans, and on January 20, 2025, he set a new career high with 31 points, 15 rebounds, seven blocks, three assists, and one steal against the Charlotte Hornets. Those performances underscored his growing offensive footprint while reinforcing his identity as one of the league’s premier rim protectors.
With his long-term future in Dallas secured, Gafford’s outlook for the remainder of the 2025 season centers on helping the Mavericks return to championship contention. His combination of efficiency, defense, and experience from the 2024 Finals run positions him as a stabilizing veteran presence alongside the team’s perimeter stars.