_(cropped).jpg) Gafford with theWashington Wizards in 2021 | |
| No. 21 – Dallas Mavericks | |
|---|---|
| Position | Center /power forward |
| League | NBA |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1998-10-01)October 1, 1998 (age 26) El Dorado, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 265 lb (120 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | El Dorado (El Dorado, Arkansas) |
| College | Arkansas (2017–2019) |
| NBA draft | 2019: 2nd round, 38th overall pick |
| Selected by theChicago Bulls | |
| Playing career | 2019–present |
| Career history | |
| 2019–2021 | Chicago Bulls |
| 2019 | →Windy City Bulls |
| 2021–2024 | Washington Wizards |
| 2024–present | Dallas Mavericks |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Stats at NBA.com  | |
| Stats atBasketball Reference | |
Daniel Gafford (born October 1, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for theDallas Mavericks of theNational Basketball Association (NBA). He playedcollege basketball for theArkansas Razorbacks and was drafted in the second round of the2019 NBA draft by theChicago Bulls. He plays both thepower forward andcenter positions.
Gafford was a four star recruit in high school, and received offers in 2015 from multiple schools, includingKansas,Vanderbilt, andFlorida. Gafford also used to playfootball growing up and played at wide receiver until ninth grade atEl Dorado High School. He was also in the marching band and credits that to the development of his skill set.[1]
On August 1, 2015, Gafford committed to theUniversity of Arkansas.[2]
In his first start for the Razorbacks, Gafford finished a perfect 8 for 8 shooting, along with 7 rebounds and 6 blocks againstMinnesota.[3] Gafford posted 21 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks against No. 14Auburn.[4] After a freshman season where he averaged 11.8 points 6.2 rebounds per game, Gafford announced that he would return to Arkansas for his sophomore year rather than declare for the2018 NBA draft.[5] After his freshman season, Gafford was named to the SEC All-Freshman team.[6]
Gafford improved his statistics during his second year at Arkansas, averaging 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. He was named to the 2019 SEC All-Defensive Team, as well as a 1st Team All-SEC pick.[7]
On March 18, 2019, after Gafford's sophomore season, it was announced that Gafford would skip the2019 National Invitation Tournament to prepare for the2019 NBA draft.[8]
Gafford was the 38th overall selection by theChicago Bulls in the2019 NBA draft.[9] On July 8, 2019, theChicago Bulls declared that they had signed Gafford.[10] On October 26, 2019, Gafford played his NBA debut, coming off the bench in an 84–108 loss to theToronto Raptors with a rebound.[11] He was assigned to theWindy City Bulls for opening night of theNBA G League season. On January 15, 2020, Gafford injured his thumb just 1 minute and 21 seconds into a match against theWashington Wizards. The next day, it was announced that he wouldn't play for around two to four weeks because he had a dislocated thumb.[12]
On March 25, 2021, Gafford was traded to theWashington Wizards in a three-team trade involving theBoston Celtics.[13] During the2021 NBA playoffs, Daniel Gafford broke the all-time record for field goal percentage (minimum 15 shot attempts) with an astounding 84.6%.
On October 18, 2021, Gafford signed a three-year, $40.2 million contract extension with the Wizards.[14]
On March 7, 2023, Gafford made a buzzer-beating, game-winning putback in a 119–117 win over theDetroit Pistons.[15]
On February 8, 2024, Gafford was traded to theDallas Mavericks forRichaun Holmes and draft compensation.[16] Two days later, on February 10, Gafford made his Mavericks debut, recording 19 points and nine rebounds in a 146–111 win over theOklahoma City Thunder.[17]
Shortly after joining the Mavericks, Gafford set a record of 33 consecutive made field goals, second all-time toWilt Chamberlain's record of 35.[18][19] The streak lasted from March 5 to 13, 2024.[20]
Gafford finished the 2023–2024 season as theNBA field goal percentage leader, with a percentage of 72.5% with 348 out of 480 shots made.[21][22][23] Gafford helped the Mavericks reach theNBA Finals where they lost to theBoston Celtics in five games.[24]
On January 15, 2025, Gafford put up a career-high 27 points, along with 12 rebounds in a 119–116 loss over theNew Orleans Pelicans.[25] On January 20, Gafford put up a career-high 31 points, along with 15 rebounds, seven blocks, three assists, and one steal in a 110–105 loss to theCharlotte Hornets.[26]
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
| * | Led the league |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | Chicago | 43 | 7 | 14.2 | .701 | — | .533 | 2.5 | .5 | .3 | 1.3 | 5.1 |
| 2020–21 | Chicago | 31 | 11 | 12.4 | .690 | — | .659 | 3.3 | .5 | .4 | 1.1 | 4.7 |
| Washington | 23 | 0 | 17.8 | .681 | — | .672 | 5.6 | .5 | .7 | 1.8 | 10.1 | |
| 2021–22 | Washington | 72 | 53 | 20.1 | .693 | .000 | .699 | 5.7 | .9 | .4 | 1.4 | 9.4 |
| 2022–23 | Washington | 78 | 47 | 20.6 | .732 | — | .679 | 5.6 | 1.1 | .4 | 1.3 | 9.0 |
| 2023–24 | Washington | 45 | 45 | 26.5 | .690* | — | .706 | 8.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 10.9 |
| Dallas | 29 | 21 | 21.5 | .780* | — | .607 | 6.9 | 1.6 | .7 | 1.9 | 11.2 | |
| Career | 321 | 184 | 19.5 | .711 | .000 | .668 | 5.4 | 1.0 | .5 | 1.5 | 8.7 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Washington | 2 | 0 | 21.3 | .800 | – | .750 | 9.0 | .5 | .5 | 3.5 | 13.5 |
| Career | 2 | 0 | 21.3 | .800 | – | .750 | 9.0 | .5 | .5 | 3.5 | 13.5 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Washington | 5 | 2 | 23.4 | .846 | — | .625 | 5.8 | .6 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 11.8 |
| 2024 | Dallas | 22* | 22* | 20.2 | .634 | — | .631 | 5.5 | .7 | .3 | 1.5 | 9.0 |
| Career | 27 | 24 | 20.8 | .671 | — | .629 | 5.6 | .7 | .4 | 1.6 | 9.5 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | Arkansas | 35 | 26 | 22.6 | .605 | – | .528 | 6.2 | .7 | .5 | 2.2 | 11.8 |
| 2018–19 | Arkansas | 32 | 32 | 28.7 | .660 | – | .591 | 8.6 | .7 | .9 | 1.9 | 16.9 |
| Career | 67 | 58 | 25.5 | .635 | – | .562 | 7.4 | .7 | .7 | 2.1 | 14.5 | |
