Jake LaRavia Bio
Jacob Glen LaRavia, born on November 3, 2001, is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 201 cm and weighing around 107 kg, the forward played college basketball for the Indiana State Sycamores and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, where he earned multiple conference honors. Drafted 19th overall in the 2022 NBA draft, he began his professional career with the Memphis Grizzlies and has since played for the Sacramento Kings before joining the Lakers on a two-year contract.
Early Life and Background
Jacob Glen LaRavia was born in Pasadena, California, and is the son of Jeff and Becky LaRavia. When he was five years old, his family relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he spent the rest of his childhood. He attended Lawrence Central High School, where he played alongside future college talents Nijel Pack and Dre Davis. LaRavia had a limited role on the team until his senior year, when he blossomed into the squad’s leading scorer and emerged as a versatile two-way player.
As a senior, LaRavia averaged 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.3 steals per game, earning Indiana All-Star honors. He helped Lawrence Central capture its first sectional title since 2012, a breakthrough that elevated his recruitment profile. Initially, he committed to playing college basketball at SIU Edwardsville, but he reopened his recruitment after a coaching change and ultimately chose Indiana State.
Path to Basketball
LaRavia arrived at Indiana State as part of a recruiting class that included the Lawrence Central pipeline of talent. During his freshman season with the Sycamores, he averaged 9.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, performances that earned him spots on the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) All-Newcomer Team and the MVC All-Freshman Team. Those honors signaled his potential as a high-energy forward with a developing perimeter skill set.
In his sophomore year, LaRavia raised his production to 12.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, earning second-team All-MVC recognition. After head coach Greg Lansing departed the program, LaRavia entered the transfer portal and chose Wake Forest for his junior season. The move to a Power Five conference marked a clear step up in competition and exposure.
Jake LaRavia Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Jacob Glen LaRavia was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 19th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft. On draft night, his rights were traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, along with a future second-round pick, in exchange for the 22nd and 29th picks that became Walker Kessler and TyTy Washington. He joined the Grizzlies’ 2022 NBA Summer League roster and scored thirteen points in his debut, a 103–99 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
LaRavia made his regular-season NBA debut on October 19, 2022, recording five points and two rebounds in a 115–112 overtime win against the New York Knicks. On March 23, 2023, he was assigned to the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League for additional developmental minutes. Across his first two seasons, he split time between Memphis and its G League affiliate, refining his role as a defensive forward.
Memphis Grizzlies Breakthrough (2022–2025)
With the Grizzlies, LaRavia earned a steady rotation role as a wing who could defend multiple positions and contribute as a secondary playmaker. His two-way energy fit Memphis’s pace-and-space identity, and he logged minutes at both the small and power forward spots. He continued to shuttle between the Grizzlies and the Memphis Hustle, using the G League assignment to sharpen his offensive repertoire.
On February 6, 2025, LaRavia was traded to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team deal that also involved the Washington Wizards. Washington received Marcus Smart, Alex Len, Colby Jones, and a first-round pick, while Memphis received Marvin Bagley III, Johnny Davis, and two second-round picks. The move gave LaRavia a fresh opportunity on a contending Western Conference roster.
Los Angeles Lakers Era (2025–Present)
On July 6, 2025, LaRavia signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, ending months of speculation about his free-agent destination. The deal reflected the Lakers’ interest in adding length, defensive versatility, and a high-motor forward to their rotation. LaRavia was expected to compete for minutes behind established veterans while contributing in transition and on the defensive glass.
Driving Style and Strengths
LaRavia is regarded as a versatile, positionless forward whose game is built on defensive instincts, off-ball movement, and connective passing. He rebounds well for his position, drifts into passing lanes, and can switch across multiple matchups on the perimeter. Offensively, he excels as a cutter and transition finisher, with enough perimeter touch to stretch the floor when defenses collapse.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career highlights, LaRavia’s 31-point, 10-rebound, four-assist performance against North Carolina on January 22, 2022, stands as his collegiate breakthrough game and a signature win for Wake Forest. He also helped Lawrence Central end a long sectional drought in high school. Becoming a 19th overall pick in 2022 capped a rapid rise from Indianapolis high school prospect to first-round NBA selection.
Jake LaRavia Career Wins
Across his college and professional career, Jacob Glen LaRavia has accumulated wins in high school sectionals, NCAA conference play, NCAA tournament-caliber games, NBA Summer League, and the NBA regular season. His team successes include a sectional title at Lawrence Central, conference wins with Indiana State and Wake Forest, and a Summer League victory over Philadelphia in 2022. In the NBA, his regular-season debut produced an overtime win over the New York Knicks, and he has continued to add victories with the Grizzlies, Kings, and Lakers.
NCAA Highlights
LaRavia’s most memorable college victory came in the 98–76 win over North Carolina on January 22, 2022, when he posted a career-high 31 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. He contributed to multiple conference wins at both Indiana State and Wake Forest, helping the Demon Deacons remain competitive in the Atlantic Coast Conference. His 14.6 points per game as a junior underscored his role in Wake Forest’s late-season push.
Other Wins & Performances
In high school, LaRavia’s senior season featured the program’s first sectional championship since 2012, a milestone that helped launch his college recruitment. In Summer League play, he opened with a 13-point performance in a Grizzlies win over the Philadelphia 76ers. His NBA debut also resulted in a five-point, two-rebound contribution during a 115–112 overtime victory over the New York Knicks.
Jake LaRavia Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Jacob Glen LaRavia was raised by his parents, Jeff and Becky LaRavia, who supported his move from Pasadena, California, to Indianapolis when he was five years old. The family settled in Indianapolis, where he attended Lawrence Central High School and began his competitive basketball journey. His parents’ relocation set the stage for his development in a city with a strong high school basketball tradition.
Personal Life
LaRavia is known professionally by his full name, Jacob Glen LaRavia, and is recognized as a private individual off the court. He has built his basketball career in multiple cities, beginning with his college years at Indiana State and Wake Forest, followed by his professional stops in Memphis, Sacramento, and Los Angeles. His current two-year contract with the Lakers runs through the 2026–27 NBA season.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year marked a transitional chapter for Jacob Glen LaRavia. He opened the year with the Memphis Grizzlies before being traded to the Sacramento Kings on February 6, 2025, as part of a three-team deal that reshaped several Western Conference rosters. With Sacramento, he sought a larger role on a veteran team pursuing a playoff berth, providing wing defense and transition scoring off the bench.
On July 6, 2025, LaRavia signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, beginning a new era in his career. The contract placed him under team control through 2027 and aligned him with one of the league’s most prominent franchises. His fit in Los Angeles centered on defensive switching, secondary playmaking, and energy lineups.
Looking ahead, LaRavia is positioned to compete for rotation minutes as a versatile forward who can guard multiple positions. With the Lakers pursuing another championship run, his development as a shooter and decision-maker will be central to his long-term role. The 2025–26 NBA season represents his opportunity to establish himself as a long-term piece in Los Angeles.