Kevon Looney Bio
Kevon Grant Looney is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighing about 223 pounds, Looney has built a reputation as a versatile big man who can play both power forward and small-ball center. Over the course of his career, he has won three NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors and earned recognition for his rebounding, defensive switching, and high basketball IQ.
Born on February 6, 1996, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Looney rose to national prominence as one of the top high school prospects in the country before starring at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). After one college season, he entered the 2015 NBA Draft and was selected 30th overall by the Golden State Warriors. Ten years later, he signed with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2025, beginning a new chapter in his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Kevon Grant Looney was born on February 6, 1996, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Doug and Victoria Looney. His father, Doug, played basketball as a forward at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, where he became the school’s career rebounding leader, and he coached Kevon during his formative years. Kevon also has an older brother, Kevin, who is six years his senior, and an older sister named Summer. Watching his brother play pickup games helped spark Kevon’s love for the sport.
Growing up in Milwaukee, Looney became a devoted Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant fan. He studied tapes of Bryant and copied his moves on the court, developing an early feel for the game. His brother allowed him to play only on the condition that Kevon rebounded more than he shot, an arrangement that helped shape his future as an elite rebounder.
Looney attended Alexander Hamilton High School in Milwaukee, where he quickly emerged as the best player on his team. As a sophomore in 2012, he was named Player of the Year of the Milwaukee City Conference after averaging 20.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. By his senior year, he was posting 27.9 points, 12.7 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 8.0 blocks per game, drawing national attention as a five-star recruit and earning comparisons to Kevin Durant.
Path to Basketball
Looney’s path to professional basketball began with dominant performances at Alexander Hamilton High School. He was named a McDonald’s All-American, a Parade All-American, and Wisconsin Mr. Basketball, becoming only the second player in Milwaukee Public Schools history and the sixth in Wisconsin to earn McDonald’s All-American honors. Recruiting outlets such as Rivals.com, ESPN.com, and Scout.com ranked him among the top 15 prospects nationally.
On Halloween 2013, Looney announced his commitment to UCLA, surprising many recruiting analysts. He cited the beauty of the campus and the vision of Bruins head coach Steve Alford as major factors in his decision. The program offered him the freedom to play both inside and outside, similar to how Kyle Anderson had been used the previous season.
In his lone season at UCLA in 2014–15, Looney established himself as one of the top freshmen in the country. He debuted with 20 points, nine rebounds, and three assists against Montana State, then recorded double-doubles in four of his next four games, becoming the first UCLA freshman to post at least four double-doubles in his first five games. For the season, he averaged 11.6 points and 9.2 rebounds, leading all freshmen nationally with 15 double-doubles and earning second-team All-Pac-12 and Pac-12 All-Freshman Team honors.
Kevon Looney Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
Following his freshman season at UCLA, Looney declared for the 2015 NBA Draft and was selected 30th overall by the Golden State Warriors. Concerns about his right hip caused his draft stock to drop, but the Warriors were confident in his potential. He signed his rookie scale contract on July 8, 2015, and underwent a successful right hip arthroscopy in August to repair a torn labrum.
Looney spent his rookie year rehabilitating and playing limited minutes with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA Development League. He made his NBA debut on January 27, 2016, against the Dallas Mavericks, scoring his first points and grabbing two rebounds. A second hip surgery in April kept him sidelined for the playoffs as Golden State won an NBA-record 73 games and reached the NBA Finals. By the 2016–17 season, Looney earned his first career start in place of an injured Draymond Green, though a strained left hip limited him for most of the playoffs during the Warriors’ championship run.
Golden State Warriors Breakthrough (2017–2022)
Healthy at last in 2017–18, Looney lost 30 pounds during the offseason and became a regular in the Warriors’ rotation. Head coach Steve Kerr praised him as the team’s best switching center, and Looney posted career highs of 13 points and six blocks against the Phoenix Suns on March 17, 2018. He emerged as Kerr’s favorite center during the playoffs, guarding players like LaMarcus Aldridge and Anthony Davis while playing the most minutes of any Golden State big man during the postseason. The Warriors swept the Cleveland Cavaliers to win their second consecutive NBA championship.
In 2018–19, Looney averaged career highs of 6.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 18.5 minutes per game. He scored 19 points in Game 2 of the first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers and played a key role in the Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers, recording 12 points and a career-high 14 rebounds in the series-clinching Game 4. A first costal cartilage fracture during the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors cut short his postseason, but he had cemented himself as a foundational piece of the franchise.
Looney’s career peaked in 2021–22, when he served as Golden State’s starting center. He played all 82 regular-season games, averaging 7.3 rebounds per game. In the Western Conference semifinals against the Memphis Grizzlies, he grabbed 22 rebounds in a Game 6 victory, including 11 in the first quarter alone. Against the Dallas Mavericks in the conference finals, he posted 21 points and 12 rebounds in a comeback win, becoming the first Golden State center with a 20-point, 10-rebound playoff game since Robert Parish in 1977. He helped the Warriors defeat the Boston Celtics to win his third NBA championship.
New Orleans Pelicans Era (2025–Present)
After ten seasons with the Warriors, Looney signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans on July 7, 2025, reuniting with former teammate Jordan Poole. According to Looney, he felt that Golden State had not utilized him in ways that suited his strengths, particularly during the 2025 NBA playoffs. The move marked the beginning of a new chapter in his career as he joined a young Pelicans roster seeking veteran leadership.
Driving Style and Strengths
Looney is widely regarded as one of the league’s premier small-ball centers. With a 7-foot-4-inch wingspan, he is capable of guarding all five positions and switching onto guards on the perimeter. His elite rebounding instincts, combined with improved conditioning and athleticism, have made him a reliable finisher around the rim and a steady defender. Coach Steve Kerr has called him the Warriors’ best switching center, a role that has defined his professional identity.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career highlights, Looney’s 22-rebound performance against Memphis in the 2022 playoffs stands out as one of the most dominant rebounding efforts in franchise postseason history. His 21-point, 12-rebound game against Dallas in the same playoff run was the first 20-point, 10-rebound playoff performance by a Golden State center since Robert Parish in 1977. He also recorded a regular-season career-high 20 rebounds in a double-overtime victory over the Atlanta Hawks on January 2, 2023.
Kevon Looney Career Wins
Kevon Grant Looney has won three NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors, in 2017, 2018, and 2022. While he was inactive for the 2017 Finals due to injury, he played meaningful minutes in the 2018 and 2022 championship runs. His rebounding and defensive versatility made him an essential piece of Golden State’s dynasty.
NBA Championship Highlights
Looney’s first championship came in 2017, although a hip strain kept him inactive for all 17 playoff games. In 2018, he started Game 1 of the NBA Finals against Cleveland and played 39 total minutes as the Warriors swept the Cavaliers. His third title in 2022 was his most impactful, as he started at center throughout the Finals against Boston, averaging 7.5 rebounds and 5.0 points in Golden State’s six-game victory.
Other Achievements and Performances
Beyond his championships, Looney earned numerous accolades throughout his career, including McDonald’s All-American honors, Parade All-American recognition, and Wisconsin Mr. Basketball in 2014. At UCLA, he was named second-team All-Pac-12 and Pac-12 All-Freshman in 2015. In the NBA, he played all 82 games in back-to-back seasons in 2021–22 and 2022–23, demonstrating his durability and consistency.
Kevon Looney Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Kevon Looney was raised in a basketball-oriented household in Milwaukee. His father, Doug Looney, played as a forward at Schreiner University and became the school’s career rebounding leader. His older brother, Kevin, also played basketball and helped shape Kevon’s early development. Looney also has an older sister named Summer. His cousin, Nick Young, played in the NBA and was his teammate on the Golden State Warriors during the 2017–18 season.
Personal Life
Looney maintains close ties to his Milwaukee roots and has remained connected to his family throughout his professional career. He retired his No. 5 jersey at Alexander Hamilton High School in 2018, honoring his hometown roots. While he has kept most of his personal life private, his commitment to family and community has been a defining part of his character.
2025 Season Performance
In July 2025, Kevon Looney signed with the New Orleans Pelicans, beginning the next phase of his NBA career. The two-year, $16 million contract signaled the franchise’s commitment to adding veteran leadership and frontcourt depth. Looney’s arrival reunited him with former Golden State teammate Jordan Poole, adding a familiar chemistry to the Pelicans’ locker room.
Looney cited a desire for a larger role and better utilization of his strengths as key reasons for leaving Golden State, particularly after his playing time was limited during the 2025 NBA playoffs. His ability to anchor the defense, rebound at a high level, and serve as a small-ball center is expected to be valuable for a Pelicans team looking to compete in a competitive Western Conference.
As Looney adjusts to a new system and city, his experience from three championship runs and ten playoff appearances positions him as a steadying presence in New Orleans. His performance during the 2025–26 season will likely play a meaningful role in the Pelicans’ pursuit of a postseason berth and long-term team development.