JaVale McGee’s path from three-time NBA champion to Grammy-nominated music producer and now a star in Australia’s NBL is anything but typical. Known for his energy on the court and his openness about living with ADHD, McGee has built a career that defies easy labels.
NBA Championships: 3 ·
NBA Seasons: 17 ·
Height: 7’0″ ·
Current Team: Melbourne United (NBL) ·
Born: January 19, 1988
Quick snapshot
- 3× NBA Champion (2017, 2018, 2020) – Basketball-Reference
- Olympic Gold Medalist (2020) – Wikipedia
- Diagnosed with ADHD – NBA.com Spain
- Grammy-nominated music producer – Wikipedia
- Exact financial terms of NBL contract
- Future plans after NBL season
- Details of endorsement deals
- 2008: Drafted by Washington Wizards – Basketball-Reference
- 2024: Joined Melbourne United – NBL.com.au
- 2025: Signed with Illawarra Hawks – Wikipedia
- Playing in NBL for 2025-26 season
- Potential return to NBA or other leagues
- Continuing music and gaming ventures
Eight key facts define JaVale McGee’s profile, one pattern: a career that spans championships, continents, and creative industries.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | JaVale Lindy McGee |
| Born | January 19, 1988 (Flint, Michigan, USA) |
| Height | 7’0″ (2.13 m) |
| Weight | 270 lb (122 kg) |
| NBA Draft | 2008, Round 1, Pick 18 (Washington Wizards) |
| NBA Championships | 3 |
| Olympic Gold | 1 (2020) |
| Current Team | Melbourne United (NBL) |
Is JaVale McGee still getting paid?
JaVale McGee’s current NBA contract
McGee’s last NBA contract was a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings worth $3.2 million, signed in 2023. However, he was waived by the Kings in early 2024, according to Wikipedia. That ended his NBA income stream, but he promptly moved to the NBL, where he signed with Melbourne United. The exact terms of his NBL contract have not been disclosed, but league imports typically earn between $100,000 and $500,000 per season, though top stars can command more.
JaVale McGee’s earnings from endorsements
Over his 17 NBA seasons, McGee earned over $60 million in salary, per the career earnings tracker at Basketball-Reference. He also has endorsement deals, though specific figures are not public. His brand partnerships are likely tied to his visibility as a champion and his social media presence.
JaVale McGee’s business ventures
McGee has invested in startups and runs a gaming channel, which provide additional income. He is also a Grammy-nominated music producer, a credential that opens doors for licensing and performance revenue. The overall picture: McGee is still earning, but his NBA salary is no longer the primary source.
The pattern: McGee’s income shifted from guaranteed NBA salary to a mix of NBL pay, endorsements, and entrepreneurial ventures. The trade-off is less total earnings but more autonomy and creative fulfillment.
Why did JaVale McGee leave the NBA?
JaVale McGee’s NBA career timeline
McGee entered the NBA in 2008 as the 18th overall pick by the Washington Wizards. He played for the Wizards, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver again, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, and Sacramento Kings over 17 seasons, per Basketball-Reference.
Factors leading to his departure
After being waived by the Kings in 2024, McGee reportedly sought a fresh start. According to NBL.com.au, he was coming off a stint in Puerto Rico where he won a championship and Defensive Player of the Year before joining the Hawks. The NBA’s youth movement and reduced role likely contributed to his decision to move overseas.
His move to the NBL
McGee signed with Melbourne United for the 2024-25 season, then switched to the Illawarra Hawks for the 2025-26 season, per Wikipedia. He cited a desire for more playing time and a new challenge. The NBL’s growing reputation as a destination for former NBA players made it an attractive option.
What this means: For a veteran with three rings, the NBL offers a chance to be a focal point rather than a role player. The trade-off is less media exposure but a more central role on the court.
What is JaVale McGee doing now?
Playing in the NBL
As of the 2025-26 season, McGee is playing for the Illawarra Hawks in the NBL. He debuted on September 27, 2025, recording 32 points and 13 rebounds in a loss to the Tasmania JackJumpers, according to Wikipedia. He previously played for Melbourne United.
Music production and Grammy nomination
McGee is a Grammy-nominated music producer under the Pierre Music Group. He has worked on tracks that earned industry recognition, though specific details are scarce. The nomination adds a layer of artistic credibility to his post-NBA identity.
Gaming and entrepreneurship
McGee runs a popular gaming channel on YouTube and Twitch, where he streams NBA 2K and other games. He also invests in tech startups, leveraging his NBA network and business acumen.
Philanthropy and community work
McGee hosts an annual charity event in his hometown of Flint, Michigan, focusing on youth sports and education. The event, often held in conjunction with his family, provides resources and mentorship to local children.
The implication: McGee is building a portfolio career that spans sports, music, gaming, and philanthropy. Each venture reinforces his personal brand, which outlasts any single contract.
How many rings did JaVale McGee get?
Championships with the Golden State Warriors
McGee won his first two NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018. He was a key backup center, providing energy and rim protection off the bench, per Basketball-Reference.
Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers
In 2020, McGee won his third championship as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers in the Orlando bubble. He played 14 games in the playoffs, averaging 2.5 points and 1.1 rebounds, per Basketball-Reference.
Olympic gold medal
McGee also won an Olympic gold medal with Team USA in the 2020 Tokyo Games (held in 2021). He was a role player on a star-studded roster, contributing 2.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game, per Wikipedia.
McGee’s three championships and Olympic gold make him one of the most decorated players of his generation. Yet his legacy is often overshadowed by his on-court blunders. The numbers tell a different story: 17 seasons, 3 rings, 1 gold medal.
Does JaVale McGee have ADHD?
McGee’s ADHD diagnosis
McGee has publicly stated that he was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age. In an interview with NBA.com Spain, he described himself as having an “extreme attention deficit” and said he never gets bored. He tried medication like Ritalin but did not continue it.
Impact on his basketball career
McGee has said that his ADHD usually does not affect him on the court, but makes him highly active and energetic off the court, according to Sports Vision. His high-energy style contributed to both spectacular plays and occasional mistakes, which were highlighted on “Shaqtin’ a Fool.” However, he has learned to embrace his diagnosis as part of his identity.
Advocacy and awareness
McGee speaks openly about his ADHD to reduce stigma. He shows that a neurodivergent athlete can succeed at the highest level. His advocacy is part of a broader conversation about mental health in professional sports.
McGee’s ADHD diagnosis is a key part of his narrative, but it’s also a reminder that professional athletes face unique mental health challenges. His willingness to discuss it publicly is rare and valuable.
Timeline: JaVale McGee’s career journey
Five key moments trace McGee’s path from draft pick to NBL star.
- 2008: Drafted by Washington Wizards – Basketball-Reference
- 2012: Traded to Denver Nuggets – Wikipedia
- 2016: Signs with Golden State Warriors – Wikipedia
- 2020: Wins third NBA championship with Lakers and Olympic gold – Basketball-Reference
- 2024: Joins Melbourne United (NBL) – NBL.com.au
The pattern: Each move brought McGee closer to a central role, from bench player to import star. The NBL chapter is the latest in a career defined by reinvention.
Confirmed facts
- Three NBA championships (2017, 2018, 2020) – Basketball-Reference
- Diagnosed with ADHD – NBA.com Spain
- Currently playing for Illawarra Hawks (NBL) – Wikipedia
- Grammy-nominated music producer – Wikipedia
- Olympic gold medalist – Wikipedia
What remains unclear
- Exact financial terms of his NBL contract
- Future plans after the NBL season
- Details of endorsement deals and their revenue
- Whether he will return to the NBA
- Specifics of his music production credits
“3X NBA CHAMPION 🏆🏆🏆 OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST 🥇 Grammy Nominated Producer INVESTOR ENTREPRENEUR.”
— JaVale McGee, Instagram bio
“McGee is a three-time NBA champion, having won consecutive titles with the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018 before winning a third title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.”
— Wikipedia
“He described himself as having an extreme attention deficit and said he never gets bored.”
— NBA.com Spain
For any athlete transitioning out of the NBA, the challenge is to build a post-playing career that matches the intensity of the game. McGee has done that by diversifying into music, gaming, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. The question is whether his NBL stint will be a stepping stone back to the NBA or a launchpad for an even broader portfolio. For the Hawks and their fans, the answer is simple: enjoy the ride while it lasts.
Frequently asked questions
What is JaVale McGee’s net worth?
While exact figures are not public, McGee earned over $60 million in NBA salary and has additional income from endorsements, music, and business ventures. His net worth is estimated to be in the range of $10–20 million, though this is speculative.
How tall is JaVale McGee?
He is 7’0″ (2.13 m) tall.
What college did JaVale McGee attend?
He attended the University of Nevada, Reno, where he played college basketball for two seasons before declaring for the NBA draft.
Is JaVale McGee related to any other NBA players?
His mother, Peggy McGee, played in the WNBA, but he is not closely related to other NBA players. He has a stepbrother who played college basketball.
What is JaVale McGee’s shoe size?
His shoe size is reportedly 18 (US).
Does JaVale McGee have any other health conditions?
Aside from ADHD, McGee has dealt with asthma and anemia, which affected his conditioning and bone healing, according to a Bleacher Report profile.
How many points did JaVale McGee average in his career?
He averaged 7.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game over 983 NBA games, per Basketball-Reference.
What is JaVale McGee’s role on the Illawarra Hawks?
He is expected to be a starting center and key veteran presence, bringing NBA experience and defensive leadership to the team.
Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Coast Monitor, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.