Jerami Grant Bio
Jerami Grant, whose full given name is Houston Jerami Grant, is an American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighing around 215 pounds, he plays primarily as a small forward or power forward and is known for his scoring, shot-blocking, and rebounding.
Born in Portland, Oregon, Grant grew up in a basketball family and rose through high school and college ranks before being selected 39th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2014 NBA draft. Over the course of his career, he has played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Detroit Pistons. In 2021, he won a gold medal with the United States Olympic team in Tokyo.
Early Life and Background
Jerami Grant was born on March 12, 1994, in Portland, Oregon. He is the son of Beverly Grant and former NBA player Harvey Grant. Raised in a deeply basketball-oriented family, Grant grew up around the game from an early age, gaining firsthand insight into the work required to play at the highest level.
Grant attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, one of the most respected basketball programs in the country. As a senior in 2011–12, he averaged 12.5 points across 23 games, showing the kind of consistency recruiters look for. He was rated a four-star recruit by ESPN.com and was ranked as the No. 11 power forward and No. 37 overall player in the class of 2012.
Path to Basketball
Following high school, Grant committed to Syracuse University, where he played a single season of college basketball for the Syracuse Orange. During the 2013–14 campaign, he averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 31.4 minutes per game while shooting 49.6 percent from the floor. He scored in double figures in 24 of 32 games and was named an All-ACC Honorable Mention.
In April 2014, after one college season, Grant declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final two years of eligibility. Scouts viewed him as a long, athletic forward with defensive potential. The Philadelphia 76ers selected him with the 39th overall pick in the second round of the 2014 NBA draft, launching his professional career.
Jerami Grant Career
Early Career (2014–2016)
Grant signed a four-year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers in September 2014 and joined the team for the 2014 NBA Summer League. In January 2015, he recorded eight blocks against the New York Knicks, the most by a 76er since Samuel Dalembert’s nine in 2007 and the most by a 76ers rookie since Shawn Bradley in 1994. On February 2, 2015, he scored a season-high 18 points with seven rebounds in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In his second season with Philadelphia, Grant recorded his first career double-double on November 11, 2015, with 12 points and 10 rebounds against the Toronto Raptors. Later that December, he posted 16 points, a then-career-high 11 rebounds, and five blocks in a win over the Sacramento Kings, showcasing the two-way skill set that would define his career.
Oklahoma City Thunder (2016–2019)
On November 1, 2016, Grant was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a deal that sent Ersan İlyasova to Philadelphia. He debuted the following night with six points, two rebounds, and two blocks in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Over the next two seasons, he became a valuable rotational piece known for his energy and defense, with multiple games scoring in double figures off the bench.
In 2018, Grant re-signed with the Thunder and produced his strongest season yet in 2018–19. He scored a then-career-high 25 points with 12 rebounds in a double-overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs on January 10, 2019, then set a new career high with 28 points in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks on April 10. His development as a scoring forward helped raise his profile across the league.
Denver Nuggets (2019–2020)
Grant was traded to the Denver Nuggets on July 8, 2019, in exchange for a 2020 first-round pick. He adapted quickly to a contending roster, scoring a then-career-high 29 points in a win over the Detroit Pistons on February 25, 2020. His athleticism and floor-spacing made him a key contributor during Denver’s run to the Western Conference Finals.
During the 2020 playoffs, Grant played a key role in Denver’s comeback against the Los Angeles Clippers, outscoring Paul George 14 to 10 in a Game 7 win despite playing nine fewer minutes. In the Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, he scored 26 points in a Game 3 victory, finishing the postseason averaging 11.6 points and 3.3 rebounds.
Detroit Pistons (2020–2022)
On November 22, 2020, Grant signed a three-year, $60 million contract with the Detroit Pistons through a sign-and-trade with Denver. The deal reflected his emergence as a primary scoring option. On February 17, 2021, he scored a then-career-high 43 points in a narrow loss to the Chicago Bulls, cementing his reputation as a capable number-one scoring option. He finished the season as a finalist for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, finishing second behind Julius Randle.
His time in Detroit was also marked by injuries. In December 2021, Grant underwent surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb. On March 28, 2022, he was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a calf strain, limiting his second year with the Pistons.
Portland Trail Blazers (2022–Present)
On July 6, 2022, Grant was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. He opened his Portland tenure with 16 points and a game-winning layup in a 106–104 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on October 23. He followed that with 30 points and a game-winning jumper against the Phoenix Suns on November 4 and 44 points in an overtime win over the New York Knicks on November 25, 2022, then a career high. On July 9, 2023, Grant re-signed with the Blazers on a long-term deal. On February 8, 2024, he set a new career high with 49 points in a loss to the Detroit Pistons.
Driving Style and Strengths
Grant is known for his length, athleticism, and ability to score at all three levels. His midrange jumper and improved three-point shooting have made him a dangerous offensive weapon, while his rebounding and shot-blocking allow him to impact the game on both ends. His versatility to play either forward position gives coaches valuable lineup flexibility.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Grant’s career are his eight-block game as a rookie with the 76ers, his 43-point performance against the Bulls in 2021, his strong playoff showing with Denver in 2020, and his career-high 49-point game against the Pistons in 2024. In 2021, he also won an Olympic gold medal with the United States in Tokyo.
Jerami Grant Career Wins
Although Jerami Grant has yet to be named an NBA All-Star, his career is decorated with team success and individual milestones. He won an Olympic gold medal in 2021 with Team USA and contributed to playoff runs with both the Denver Nuggets and the Portland Trail Blazers.
Team Success Highlights
Grant was part of the Denver Nuggets team that reached the Western Conference Finals in 2020, including a memorable Game 7 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Since joining the Blazers, he has been a central figure in the franchise’s rebuilding effort, signing a long-term extension in 2023.
Other Performances
Grant earned All-ACC Honorable Mention recognition in his only season at Syracuse and was a finalist for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award in 2021. He has also been active off the court, becoming a minority owner of Major League Soccer’s D.C. United in May 2024.
Jerami Grant Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Jerami Grant comes from one of the most basketball-rooted families in the country. His father, Harvey Grant, played in the NBA for 11 seasons, while his uncle, Horace Grant, won four NBA championships across his career with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers. His brothers Jerai, Jerian, and Jaelin have all been involved in basketball, with Jerian going on to play professionally in the Greek Basketball League and the EuroLeague.
Personal Life
Grant maintains close ties to his family and has continued to build on his family’s basketball legacy. In May 2024, he expanded his sports involvement by becoming a minority owner of D.C. United, the Major League Soccer club based in Washington, D.C.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NBA season, Jerami Grant remains a central piece of the Portland Trail Blazers’ long-term plans after signing his extension in 2023. Following a 2024–25 campaign in which he set a new career high with 49 points, expectations are that he will continue to serve as the team’s primary scoring option and veteran leader. The Blazers are focused on building around his versatile scoring and two-way play as they aim to return to playoff contention in the Western Conference.
Grant’s durability and consistency will be crucial, as he has battled injuries in past seasons with the Pistons. If healthy, he is expected to average strong scoring numbers while mentoring Portland’s younger core. With his Olympic experience and history of performing in big moments, Grant brings a steady presence to a roster in transition.