Sam Merrill Bio
Samuel Hoskins Merrill, born on May 15, 1996, is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed “Money Merrill,” he was selected with the final pick of the 2020 NBA draft and later joined the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he has built a reputation as one of the league’s most reliable long-range shooters. A former Utah State Aggies standout, Merrill earned recognition in college before embarking on a professional journey that already includes an NBA championship ring with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 205 pounds, Merrill has carved out a role as a sharpshooting guard whose perimeter accuracy has become a defining trait. After a winding path through multiple organizations, he has emerged as a key rotation piece for the Cavaliers, contributing instant offense off the bench and setting franchise records from beyond the arc.
Early Life and Background
Samuel Hoskins Merrill was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but grew up in Bountiful, Utah, where he was raised alongside an older sister, Molli. His parents, John and Jenny Merrill, supported his early interest in basketball, and the family’s relocation to Utah shaped the environment in which he developed his game. The Bountiful area provided a strong local basketball culture that helped nurture his competitive instincts from a young age.
He attended Bountiful High School, where his progression as a player was steady and impressive. Merrill became a starter midway through his sophomore year and continued to elevate his production, earning recognition as a first-team all-state selection by the Deseret News and Salt Lake Tribune during his junior year. As a senior, he led Bountiful to a 4A state championship, capping a high school career that also drew recruiting attention from academic-minded programs such as Stanford and Princeton.
Following high school, Merrill chose to serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nicaragua before beginning his college career. That period of service delayed his entry into collegiate basketball but also provided personal growth and perspective before he joined the Utah State University program.
Path to Basketball
Merrill’s path to professional basketball formally began when he enrolled at Utah State University, where he joined the Aggies program under new head coach Tim Duryea. As a freshman, he posted 9.4 points per game, providing an early indication of the scoring potential that would later define his career. His role expanded quickly, and by his sophomore season he averaged 16.3 points per game, earning Third-team All-Mountain West Conference honors.
His junior year marked his emergence as one of the top players in the Mountain West Conference. Merrill averaged 20.9 points, 4.2 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 46.1 percent from the floor, 37.6 percent from three-point range, and 90.9 percent from the free throw line. He led Utah State to a Mountain West tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament berth, and he was named the Mountain West Player of the Year, the tournament MVP, and an AP Honorable Mention All-American.
During his senior season, Merrill continued to deliver consistent scoring performances, including a 28-point effort in the season opener against Montana State. He surpassed the 2,000-point career mark in a victory over Colorado State and finished the year as a First Team All-Mountain West selection. He led Utah State to another Mountain West tournament title and was once again named the tournament MVP before his college career concluded following the cancellation of the postseason tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sam Merrill Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
On November 18, 2020, Merrill was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans as the final pick of the 2020 NBA draft, earning the informal title of “Mr. Irrelevant.” Six days later, on November 24, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a four-team deal involving the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets. He was assigned to the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League to begin the season, making his debut on February 10, 2021, and he appeared in 30 regular-season games for the Bucks, starting two, while averaging 3.0 points and 1.0 rebound in 7.8 minutes per game.
Merrill joined the Bucks during their playoff run, appearing in eight postseason games and contributing in limited minutes as Milwaukee advanced through the bracket. His rookie season ended with an NBA championship when the Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns in six games in the 2021 NBA Finals. On August 7, 2021, he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a deal that sent Grayson Allen to Milwaukee, and he appeared in six games for Memphis before being waived on January 1, 2022.
Cleveland Charge and Cavaliers Arrival (2022–2023)
After a brief stint with the Sacramento Kings that ended before the regular season began, Merrill joined the Cleveland Charge training camp roster on October 24, 2022, after being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the G League draft. He spent the early portion of the season developing with the Charge, demonstrating the perimeter shooting that had been his calling card throughout his career.
On March 3, 2023, Merrill signed a 10-day contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and on March 14, he signed a multi-year contract with the team. The move marked a turning point in his professional trajectory, as he transitioned from G League contributor to NBA rotation player and began establishing himself as a dependable bench scorer for the Cavaliers.
Cleveland Cavaliers Era (2023–Present)
Merrill’s role with the Cleveland Cavaliers grew steadily through the 2023–24 season. On December 20, 2023, he scored a career-high 27 points and hit eight three-pointers off the bench in a 124–116 victory over the Utah Jazz. He followed that performance with a 26-point game, including 20 in the first half, against the Orlando Magic on January 22, 2024, helping Cleveland extend a winning streak to eight games.
On March 27, 2024, Merrill broke the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise record for most three-pointers off the bench in a single season, surpassing a mark previously held by Donyell Marshall since the 2005–06 season. The achievement cemented his value as a specialist shooter and helped solidify his place in the team’s long-term plans. On June 28, 2025, he re-signed with the Cavaliers on a four-year, $38 million contract, signaling the organization’s commitment to his continued development.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of Merrill’s career was his role in the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2021 NBA championship run, during which he appeared in eight playoff games. He has also set Cleveland Cavaliers franchise records for three-point shooting off the bench, including a single-season mark established in 2023–24. His college milestone of surpassing 2,000 career points at Utah State further underscored his longevity and consistency as a scorer.
Sam Merrill Career Wins
Across his professional career, Sam Merrill has collected team championships and individual shooting records. His most significant team achievement is the 2021 NBA Championship won as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. He has also set Cleveland Cavaliers franchise records for three-point shooting off the bench, marking a series of individual milestones that highlight his impact as a specialist.
Cleveland Cavaliers Highlights
Since joining the Cleveland Cavaliers in March 2023, Merrill has established himself as one of the team’s most reliable bench shooters. His career-high 27-point performance against the Utah Jazz in December 2023 and his franchise-record-breaking three-point shooting in 2023–24 represent the defining statistical achievements of his Cavaliers tenure. The four-year contract extension signed in June 2025 reflects the organization’s confidence in his continued role as a perimeter threat.
Sam Merrill Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Samuel Hoskins Merrill is the son of John and Jenny Merrill and grew up alongside an older sister, Molli. While his family is not associated with a multi-generational sports lineage, his parents supported his basketball development throughout his childhood in Bountiful, Utah. Their encouragement helped shape the disciplined approach that has defined his professional career.
Personal Life
Merrill married Kanyan Ward, a fellow athlete and soccer player, in May 2018. In November 2021, the couple announced they were expecting their first child, and their daughter Kendall was born in May 2022. Their second child, a son, was born in February 2025, expanding the Merrill family as he continued his professional career with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Sam Merrill is positioned as a key bench contributor for the Cleveland Cavaliers following his four-year, $38 million contract extension signed in June 2025. His role remains centered on perimeter shooting, where his career-long accuracy continues to provide Cleveland with reliable scoring off the bench. The team’s investment in him signals expectations of consistent production throughout the regular season and into the postseason.
Merrill’s 2025 outlook is shaped by his established shooting profile and the franchise’s confidence in his development. Having broken Cleveland’s single-season record for bench three-pointers in 2023–24, he enters the new season with momentum and a clear role within the rotation. His continued growth as a secondary scorer and floor spacer will likely remain central to the Cavaliers’ offensive plans.
With a multi-year commitment in place and his family life settled, Merrill approaches the 2025 season with stability and motivation. The Cavaliers will look to him to maintain his specialist identity while contributing to team success, and his track record suggests he is well-equipped to deliver on those expectations.