Pat Connaughton Bio
Patrick Bergin Connaughton, born on January 6, 1993, in Arlington, Massachusetts, is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A versatile shooting guard, Connaughton is also a former professional baseball player and was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB Draft before launching his NBA career. He played college basketball at Notre Dame and was drafted in the second round of the 2015 NBA draft by the Brooklyn Nets. Over the course of his career, he has won an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 and an NBA Cup championship in 2024.
Early Life and Background
Patrick Bergin Connaughton was born and raised in Arlington, Massachusetts, where his father, Len Connaughton, helped shape his disciplined approach to sports. From an early age, Connaughton displayed unusual athletic ability across multiple disciplines, eventually starring in three sports at St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers, Massachusetts. He played quarterback in football while competing in both baseball and basketball, drawing NCAA Division I scholarship offers in baseball from Boston College, the University of Virginia, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Connaughton’s sporting trajectory changed during the summer between his junior and senior years, when he emerged as a major basketball prospect at the Amateur Athletic Union national tournament in Orlando, Florida, highlighted by a 33-point, 20-rebound performance. That week, described as life-changing by Connaughton himself, drew multiple scholarship offers in both basketball and baseball. In his senior year, he was named the Gatorade Massachusetts Boys Basketball Player of the Year and posted an 11–2 record with a 1.75 earned run average on the mound.
Path to Basketball
After considering offers from Boston College, the University of Miami, the University of California, Los Angeles, and Vanderbilt University, Connaughton chose the University of Notre Dame, where he could play both basketball and baseball. As a freshman for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish basketball team, he appeared in all 34 games, averaging 7.0 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, while also serving as a relief pitcher on the baseball team. During the summer of 2013, he pitched for the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League.
As a junior, Connaughton averaged 13.8 points per game for the basketball team and posted a 3.92 earned run average on the baseball diamond. He was selected by the Baltimore Orioles with the 121st overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft but returned to Notre Dame for his senior basketball season, agreeing to a signing bonus of more than $400,000. In his senior year, Notre Dame won its first Atlantic Coast Conference championship and earned a spot in the 2015 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament, where the team narrowly missed a Final Four berth against Kentucky.
Pat Connaughton Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Connaughton was selected with the 41st pick by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2015 NBA draft and was immediately traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. He signed a three-year deal with Portland on July 9, 2015, with a stipulation that he would not play professional baseball during the first two years of the contract. He made his NBA debut on October 30, 2015, scoring five points in a loss to the Phoenix Suns, and appeared in 34 games during his rookie season.
As his role in Portland expanded, Connaughton recorded a then career-high 19 points on April 13, 2017, against the New Orleans Pelicans, and opened the 2017–18 season with 24 points against the Suns. His development as a three-point shooter and contributor off the bench helped position him for his next opportunity.
Portland Trail Blazers Breakthrough (2015–2018)
Connaughton’s three-year stint in Portland allowed him to refine his perimeter game while learning from established veterans. He became a reliable spot-up shooter and rotational wing, contributing in spot starts and on second-unit units. His performance during the 2017–18 season opener, where he connected on four of six three-point attempts, showcased the offensive confidence that would become a hallmark of his career.
Milwaukee Bucks Era (2018–2025)
On August 1, 2018, Connaughton signed with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he would spend the next seven seasons and develop into a championship contributor. He competed in the Slam Dunk Contest at the 2020 NBA All-Star Game, dunking over Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich and finishing third in the tournament. On August 20, 2020, he recorded 15 points and 11 rebounds in a 111–96 Game 2 playoff win over the Orlando Magic.
In 2021, Connaughton won his first NBA championship as the Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns in six games, averaging 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 44.1 percent shooting from three-point range during the NBA Finals. The following season, on November 10, 2021, he scored a season-high 23 points with a career-high seven three-pointers against the New York Knicks, and on April 27, 2022, he added 20 points in 23 minutes during a first-round playoff win over the Chicago Bulls. After opting into his $5.7 million player option in June 2022, he signed a three-year, $28.5 million extension with the Bucks in July 2022.
On April 13, 2025, Connaughton produced a career-high 43 points in a 140–133 victory over the Detroit Pistons, capping his Bucks tenure as a reliable veteran presence. In 2024, he also won the NBA Cup championship, adding another significant trophy to his résumé.
Driving Style and Strengths
Connaughton is best known for his shooting efficiency, perimeter spacing, and rebounding from the wing. He provides a steady three-point stroke, strong athleticism in transition, and the versatility to guard multiple positions. His willingness to embrace bench and rotation roles has made him a valuable complementary piece on contending rosters.
Notable Events and Milestones
Connaughton’s signature moments include his 2021 NBA championship with the Bucks, his third-place finish in the 2020 Slam Dunk Contest, and his 43-point career-high performance against Detroit in 2025. His selection in both the 2014 MLB Draft and the 2015 NBA Draft places him among a rare group of two-sport professional athletes.
Pat Connaughton Career Wins
Pat Connaughton’s career is highlighted by team championships and individual scoring milestones at both the college and professional levels. His two major NBA team titles came with the Milwaukee Bucks.
NBA Highlights
Connaughton is a 2021 NBA champion and a 2024 NBA Cup champion, both earned as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. His most memorable NBA scoring performance came on April 13, 2025, when he posted a career-high 43 points against the Detroit Pistons. He also produced a then career-high 24 points against the Suns on October 18, 2017, and scored 23 points with seven three-pointers against the New York Knicks on November 10, 2021.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Connaughton earned Third-team All-ACC honors in 2015 and was a key contributor to Notre Dame’s first ACC championship that same year. He was named Gatorade Massachusetts Boys Basketball Player of the Year in 2011 and was drafted in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles.
Pat Connaughton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Connaughton is the son of Len Connaughton, who publicly praised his son’s character and integrity during his college years. The family has been a steady presence throughout his athletic journey, with his father often speaking about the values that shaped Patrick’s decision-making between basketball and baseball.
Personal Life
Connaughton announced his relationship with professional soccer player Ryan Gareis in June 2023. The couple announced their engagement in February 2024, and their son was born in May 2024. Outside of basketball, Connaughton is the president of a development firm and has invested in Bitcoin.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Connaughton closing his long Bucks chapter in dramatic fashion, highlighted by his 43-point career performance against the Detroit Pistons on April 13, 2025. He finished his Bucks tenure as a veteran shooter and rebounder, having helped Milwaukee capture the 2024 NBA Cup. On July 6, 2025, he was traded to the Charlotte Hornets alongside two second-round picks in exchange for Vasilije Micić.
Moving to Charlotte marks a fresh start for Connaughton, who joins a young Hornets roster seeking experienced leadership and perimeter shooting. His track record of stretching defenses and contributing on the glass gives him an immediate rotational role with his new team.
Looking ahead, Connaughton is expected to serve as a veteran presence in the Hornets’ backcourt while competing for minutes at shooting guard. His championship experience with Milwaukee and proven shooting stroke make him a steady contributor as Charlotte continues its rebuilding effort.