DeAndre Jordan Bio
Hyland DeAndre Jordan Jr., commonly known as DeAndre Jordan, is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 11 inches tall and playing the center position, Jordan has built a reputation as one of the league’s most reliable rebounders and interior defenders. Over the course of his career, he has earned an NBA championship, an All-Star selection, and multiple All-NBA and All-Defensive honors.
Jordan was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers in the second round of the 2008 NBA draft with the 35th overall pick. He went on to spend a decade with the franchise before stints with several other NBA teams. In 2023, he won his first NBA championship as a member of the Denver Nuggets, cementing his place among the most durable centers of his era.
Early Life and Background
Hyland DeAndre Jordan Jr. was born on July 21, 1988, in Houston, Texas. Raised in the Houston area, he grew up in a supportive environment that nurtured his athletic talents from a young age. His younger brother, Avery Jordan, later pursued professional football in the Canadian Football League, reflecting the family’s strong sporting background.
Jordan attended Episcopal High School in Bellaire, Texas, where he played through his junior year. As a sophomore, he averaged 15.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks per game, improving to 16.5 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 7.0 blocks as a junior. For his senior year, he transferred to Christian Life Center Academy in Humble, Texas, where his production surged to 26.1 points, 15.2 rebounds, and 8.1 blocks per game.
At Christian Life Center, Jordan posted a career-high 37 points in a single game and set a school record with 20 blocks in another contest. His high school play earned him third-team Parade All-American honors and first-team All-Greater Houston recognition from the Houston Chronicle. Rivals.com rated him as the number-eight overall prospect and the top prep player in the state of Texas.
Path to Basketball
After high school, Jordan was recruited by several prominent college programs, including Florida, Florida State, Indiana, Texas, Texas A&M, LSU, and Kentucky. He chose to honor his commitment to Texas A&M University in College Station, even after Aggies head coach Billy Gillispie left to take the head coaching position at Kentucky.
In the summer of 2007, Jordan represented Team USA at the Under-19 World Championship in Novi Sad, Serbia. Although he played limited minutes, the team finished second with an 8–1 record, giving Jordan early exposure to high-level international competition.
Jordan played one season of college basketball for the Texas A&M Aggies during the 2007–08 campaign. He started 21 of 35 games, averaging 7.9 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting a team-high 61.7 percent from the field. His efforts earned him a spot on the Big 12 All-Rookie Team, and after the season he declared for the 2008 NBA draft.
DeAndre Jordan Career
Early Career (2008–2011)
Jordan was selected with the 35th overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2008 NBA draft. Early in his rookie season, injuries among the Clippers’ low-post players thrust him into the starting lineup. On January 19, 2009, against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he recorded 8 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 blocks in his first start. Two days later, he tallied a then career-high 23 points against the Los Angeles Lakers, including 10 dunks.
Following his rookie campaign, Jordan developed into a full-time starter. On December 11, 2011, he signed an offer sheet with the Golden State Warriors reportedly worth $43 million over four years, but the Clippers matched the offer the next day to retain him. He changed his jersey number from 9 to 6 for the 2011–12 season and finished that year strong after recording a career-high eight blocks on opening day against the Warriors.
Los Angeles Clippers Breakthrough (2012–2018)
During the 2012–13 season, Jordan’s free-throw percentage dropped to 38.6 percent, yet he led the league in field-goal percentage at 64.3 percent while playing all 82 games. His rebounding and rim protection became defining traits, and on November 29, 2013, he recorded a career-high nine blocks against the Sacramento Kings. On January 3, 2014, he set a career high with 25 points against the Dallas Mavericks, and his 13.6 rebounds per game led the league for the 2013–14 season.
In 2015, Jordan was named to the All-NBA Third Team and became the fifth player in NBA history to average at least 10 points, 15 rebounds, one steal, and two blocks during the regular season. After briefly agreeing to a contract with the Dallas Mavericks, he reversed course and re-signed with the Clippers on a four-year, $88 million deal. On November 4, 2015, he surpassed Elton Brand to become the Clippers’ all-time leader in total rebounds.
The 2016–17 season marked Jordan’s first NBA All-Star selection as a Western Conference reserve. He led the NBA in dunks for four consecutive years between 2013–14 and 2016–17. On January 26, 2017, he was formally named to the All-Star Game, capping a decade of development into one of the league’s premier centers.
Journeyman Years (2018–2022)
On July 6, 2018, Jordan signed a one-year, $22.9 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks in free agency. He opened the season with three straight double-doubles and recorded a career-high nine assists on October 28, 2018, against the Utah Jazz. He also tied a season high with 23 rebounds twice during the early season.
On January 31, 2019, Jordan was traded to the New York Knicks as part of a multi-player deal. After the season, he signed a four-year, $40 million contract with the Brooklyn Nets on July 6, 2019. With the Nets, he posted multiple double-doubles but opted out of the 2020 NBA restart after testing positive for COVID-19. He was later traded to the Detroit Pistons in September 2021, reached a buyout, and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. After being waived in March 2022, he joined the Philadelphia 76ers.
Denver Nuggets Era (2022–2025)
On July 12, 2022, Jordan signed with the Denver Nuggets. On November 22, 2022, he grabbed a season-high 17 rebounds in a 98–97 win over the Dallas Mavericks. The Nuggets went on to defeat the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals in five games, giving Jordan his first NBA championship and the franchise’s first title in history.
Jordan re-signed with the Nuggets on July 21, 2023, and again on July 24, 2024. On November 27, 2023, he posted season highs of 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists in a 113–104 win over his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers. His veteran presence helped stabilize the rotation during stretches affected by injuries.
New Orleans Pelicans Era (2025–Present)
On October 24, 2025, Jordan signed a one-year, minimum-salary contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, joining the team wearing jersey number 9. The move marked a return to the NBA after his previous contract with the Denver Nuggets concluded.
Playing Style and Strengths
Jordan is widely regarded as an elite rebounder and post-defender, averaging 10.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game for his career. He relies heavily on put-backs and alley-oops for offense and has led the league in field-goal percentage in five seasons. As of 2025, he holds the NBA record for the highest career regular-season and postseason field-goal percentages, at 67.4 percent and 67.0 percent, respectively. His career free-throw percentage of 47.5 percent has led opponents to use the Hack-a-Shaq strategy against him.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jordan is the Clippers’ franchise leader in games played, rebounds, and blocks. He once played 360 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NBA at the time, before it ended due to pneumonia in January 2016. He represented the United States at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, winning a gold medal, and previously played for Team USA at the 2007 Under-19 World Championship in Serbia.
DeAndre Jordan Career Wins
Across more than 15 NBA seasons, DeAndre Jordan has accumulated an impressive collection of team and individual achievements. He won his first NBA championship in 2023 with the Denver Nuggets and has earned selections to the All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Third Team, and NBA All-Defensive First Team. He has also been selected to one NBA All-Star Game.
NBA Highlights
Jordan’s most significant NBA victory came in 2023 when the Denver Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat in five games to win the NBA Finals. His first regular-season win as a starter came on January 19, 2009, against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and he went on to log 716 games as a Clipper, surpassing Randy Smith’s franchise record. His durability and consistency have been hallmarks of his career, with frequent double-doubles and rebounding titles.
International and Personal Achievements
Beyond the NBA, Jordan won a gold medal with the United States at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He also represented his country at the 2007 Under-19 World Championship in Serbia, where his team finished second with an 8–1 record.
DeAndre Jordan Family
Family Background and Personal Life
DeAndre Jordan was raised in Houston, Texas, alongside his younger brother, Avery Jordan, who went on to play professional football in the Canadian Football League. Jordan has spoken publicly about his Christian faith, frequently discussing the role it plays in his daily life. He has several tattoos featuring Bible verses, including Matthew 5:4–5 and Philippians 4:13, along with phrases that reflect his beliefs.
Jordan is also known for following a vegan diet for environmental reasons and hosted a cooking show called Cooking Clean. He is widely regarded as one of the more durable players in NBA history, a testament to the discipline shaped by his upbringing and personal values.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with DeAndre Jordan in a new uniform after he signed a one-year, minimum-salary contract with the New Orleans Pelicans on October 24, 2025. Wearing jersey number 9, he joined the team as a veteran center capable of providing rebounding, rim protection, and leadership in the locker room.
Jordan’s role with the Pelicans is expected to mirror the impact he had during his later years in Denver, where he delivered timely double-doubles and helped stabilize the rotation during injury stretches. His NBA-record career field-goal percentages continue to make him an efficient finisher around the rim, while his experience offers guidance to a developing New Orleans frontcourt.
Looking ahead, Jordan’s primary objectives for the 2025 season include contributing to the Pelicans’ playoff push and maintaining his renowned durability. Whether serving as a starter or a key reserve, his presence is expected to bolster the team’s interior defense and rebounding throughout the campaign.