Doug McDermott Bio
Douglas Richard McDermott (born January 3, 1992) is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A 6-foot-7 small forward, McDermott is widely recognized for his perimeter shooting and has built a long NBA career after a decorated college tenure. As of the 2024–25 season, he remains an active rotation player in the league.
McDermott first rose to national attention as a member of the Creighton Bluejays, where he became one of the most productive scorers in NCAA Division I history. Over the course of his professional career, he has suited up for seven different NBA franchises, contributing as a reliable bench scorer and three-point specialist.
Early Life and Background
Douglas Richard McDermott was born on January 3, 1992, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where his father was serving as an assistant coach for the University of North Dakota men’s basketball team. The McDermott family moved several times during his youth as his father pursued coaching opportunities at various college programs, eventually settling in Ames, Iowa.
McDermott attended Ames High School in Ames, Iowa, where he starred on the basketball team alongside future NBA player Harrison Barnes. Ames won 53 consecutive games during their junior and senior seasons and captured consecutive Iowa state championships. As a senior, McDermott averaged 20.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game and was named first team All-State, establishing himself as a three-star recruit and the No. 28 small forward in the nation in 2010.
Growing up in a coaching family, McDermott developed a deep understanding of the game from an early age. His exposure to high-level basketball strategy through his father’s career laid a strong foundation for his own development as a player.
Path to Basketball
McDermott originally signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball at Northern Iowa, but after his father moved from coaching Iowa State University to Creighton, he was released from his commitment to play for his father in Omaha, Nebraska. The decision marked the beginning of one of the most prolific college careers in recent NCAA history.
As a freshman in 2010–11, McDermott started all 39 games for the Creighton Bluejays and averaged 14.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. He set a Missouri Valley Conference record for points by a freshman with 581 and was named the conference freshman and newcomer of the year. McDermott also became the first player to earn first team all-conference honors as a freshman since Cleo Littleton of Wichita State in 1954.
His rapid development continued into his sophomore season, when he was named a first-team All-American for the 2011–12 season, becoming the first Creighton player honored by the NABC on its first-team All-America squad. He also won Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year honors and finished the year averaging 22.9 points per game, a figure that ranked third nationally.
Doug McDermott Career
Early Career (2010–2014)
McDermott’s first three college seasons established him as one of the most consistent scorers in the country. As a junior in 2012–13, he ranked first in the nation in total points scored and second in points per game, while setting school records for points in a single season and in a career. He was again named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press.
On April 25, 2013, McDermott announced he would return to Creighton for his senior season rather than enter the 2013 NBA draft. The following July, he relinquished his scholarship and became a walk-on for his final season after the NCAA granted senior guard Grant Gibbs a rare sixth year of eligibility, pushing Creighton over the scholarship limit.
Creighton Senior Season and College Breakthrough (2013–2014)
McDermott’s senior campaign in 2013–14 was the pinnacle of his college career. On Senior Night against Providence, he scored a career-high 45 points and passed the 3,000-point threshold. He was named first-team All-Big East in Creighton’s first season in the league and won Big East Player of the Year honors.
He earned consensus national player of the year recognition as a senior, winning all major awards including the Wooden, Naismith, Associated Press, NABC, USBWA, and Sporting News trophies. McDermott led the nation in scoring at 26.7 points per game and finished his college career ranked fifth on the all-time NCAA Division I scoring list with 3,150 points, passing Hall of Famer Larry Bird along the way.
McDermott became the first player in 29 years to be named to the AP All-America first team three times. He also became one of only three players in NCAA men’s basketball history to record 3,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, and set an NCAA record by scoring in double figures in 135 games.
Chicago Bulls Era (2014–2017)
On June 26, 2014, McDermott was selected in the first round with the 11th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets. He was later traded to the Chicago Bulls on draft night. In his NBA debut on October 29, 2014, he recorded 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal in a 104–80 win over the New York Knicks.
McDermott struggled through his first NBA season, averaging just 3.2 points over his first 17 games before a knee injury in December 2014 required arthroscopic surgery. He returned in January 2015 and gradually found his rhythm, eventually developing into a reliable bench scorer for the Bulls.
On February 19, 2016, McDermott scored a career-high 30 points off the bench in a 116–106 win over the Toronto Raptors, and on January 15, 2017, he scored a career-high 31 points in a 108–104 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. He was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in February 2017.
Oklahoma City Thunder and New York Knicks (2017–2018)
McDermott was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 23, 2017. On March 18, 2017, he posted his highest-scoring game with the Thunder, going 8 of 9 from the field and 4 of 5 from three-point range to finish with 21 points in a 110–94 win over the Sacramento Kings.
On September 25, 2017, McDermott was traded to the New York Knicks as part of the deal that sent Carmelo Anthony to Oklahoma City. He made his Knicks debut on October 19, 2017, scoring four points against his former team in a 105–84 loss.
Dallas Mavericks (2018)
On February 8, 2018, McDermott was acquired by the Dallas Mavericks in a three-team trade involving the Knicks and the Denver Nuggets. In his Mavericks debut two days later, he scored eight points in a 130–123 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. He later received a qualifying offer that was ultimately withdrawn.
Indiana Pacers (2018–2021)
On July 6, 2018, McDermott signed a three-year, $22 million contract with the Indiana Pacers. He became a consistent rotation piece in Indiana, knocking down three-pointers and providing veteran scoring off the bench. On May 1, 2021, he tied his career high with 31 points, making a season-high six three-pointers in a 152–95 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
San Antonio Spurs (2021–2024)
On August 8, 2021, McDermott joined the San Antonio Spurs via a sign-and-trade deal, agreeing to a three-year, $42 million contract. His Spurs tenure was hampered by injuries, including a grade 3 right ankle sprain suffered on March 12, 2022, that sidelined him for the remainder of that season. On February 8, 2024, he was traded back to the Indiana Pacers in a three-team deal that sent Buddy Hield to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Sacramento Kings (2024–Present)
On October 16, 2024, McDermott signed with the Sacramento Kings, adding veteran shooting depth to the roster. On July 21, 2025, he re-signed with the Kings on a one-year, $3.6 million contract, signaling the organization’s continued belief in his perimeter skills and locker-room presence.
Driving Style and Strengths
McDermott is recognized primarily as a high-level catch-and-shoot perimeter scorer, capable of stretching defenses with consistent three-point shooting. His offensive game is built around smart off-ball movement, sharp shooting mechanics, and the ability to finish in transition. Throughout his NBA career, he has been valued by coaching staffs for his basketball IQ, work ethic, and willingness to embrace a defined role.
Notable Events and Milestones
McDermott’s signature moments include his 45-point Senior Night performance at Creighton, his 30-point game off the bench for the Chicago Bulls in 2016, and tying his career high with 31 points for the Indiana Pacers in 2021. He also became one of only three players in NCAA Division I men’s basketball history to record 3,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, cementing his place among the elite scorers in college basketball history.
Doug McDermott Career Wins
Across his college and professional career, Doug McDermott has built a reputation as a consistent winner and dependable scorer. While individual game-by-game win totals vary by season and team, his career is defined by sustained team success, postseason appearances, and steady contributions to winning rosters.
College Highlights
During his four seasons at Creighton, McDermott helped the Bluejays reach the NCAA tournament and posted multiple 20-win seasons, including a 29–6 campaign in 2011–12 that ended in the NCAA tournament’s third round. His leadership was central to Creighton’s transition into the Big East Conference and the program’s elevated national profile.
Professional Highlights
In the NBA, McDermott has been a steady contributor for several playoff-caliber teams, including the Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings. He has consistently provided scoring punch off the bench, particularly from beyond the arc, and has helped multiple franchises maintain competitive rotations.
Doug McDermott Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Doug McDermott is the son of Greg McDermott, the head men’s basketball coach at Creighton University. Growing up in a coaching family, McDermott was coached by his father throughout his entire college career at Creighton. His early exposure to high-level basketball tactics came largely through his father’s profession, which took the family through several college towns before settling in the Midwest.
Personal Life
McDermott attended Ames High School in Iowa, where he developed into a high-level college prospect. He played alongside Harrison Barnes, who went on to a successful NBA career. McDermott has continued to live in the United States and remains active in professional basketball with the Sacramento Kings.
2025 Season Performance
Doug McDermott entered the 2024–25 NBA season with the Sacramento Kings after re-signing on a one-year, $3.6 million contract on July 21, 2025. Throughout the campaign, he has continued to serve as a veteran bench scorer, providing three-point shooting and offensive spacing for the Kings’ rotation.
His role with Sacramento has remained consistent with his career identity: a reliable perimeter shooter who can knock down catch-and-shoot opportunities and contribute in transition. As a respected veteran in the locker room, McDermott has been a steady presence for a Kings team looking to build on its competitive core.
Looking ahead, McDermott’s value as a veteran shooter and team-first contributor positions him well for continued opportunities in the NBA. His combination of experience, shooting touch, and professional approach ensures that he remains a sought-after role player for contending rosters.