Kristian Ferrell
NBA star Darius Garland was born in Gary, Indiana, and began playing basketball at the age of five. After attending basketball camp in Valparaiso, Indiana, as a child, Garland went on to play for the Brentwood Academy varsity basketball team in Tennessee while in eighth grade. He later joined the Vanderbilt University basketball team in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was coached by Bryce Drew, the former Crusaders coach he had met at basketball camp. Despite suffering a meniscus injury that cut his college career short, Garland was selected fifth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2019 NBA Draft.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| High school | Brentwood Academy, Brentwood, Tennessee |
| College | Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee |
| NBA draft | 5th overall pick, 2019 |
| NBA team | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Position | Point guard and shooting guard |
| Earnings | At least $63,088,565 |
| Earnings in 2024 | $34,005,250 |
| Average points | 20.6 |
| Average rebounds | 2.9 |
| Average assists | 6.7 |
| Championships won | 0 |
| Twitter handle | @dariusgarland22 |
| Instagram handle | @darius_garland |
| Snapchat handle | dgthepg |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Darius Garland's high school career
Darius Garland was born in Gary, Indiana, to Felicia Garland and former NBA player Winston Garland. He started playing basketball at age five and continued with the sport in elementary school, scoring his first basket in second grade. In third grade, he attended basketball camps in Valparaiso, Indiana, led by his future Vanderbilt coach, Bryce Drew.
Garland joined the starting lineup for the Brentwood Academy varsity basketball team in Tennessee while in eighth grade. In his freshman season, he averaged 17 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, leading his team to a Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Division II-AA state championship. On December 23, 2015, as a sophomore, he claimed most valuable player (MVP) honours at the King of the Bluegrass Holiday Classic, after scoring 23 points versus Fairdale High School in the title game.
Entering his senior season, Garland appeared in the USA Today All-USA preseason team. He averaged 27.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.7 steals and secured a fourth straight state title for Brentwood Academy, tying the TSSAA record. Garland was named Mr. Basketball in the state of Tennessee three times, earning him a place on the USA Basketball junior national team. He was also a four-time state champion at Brentwood Academy, earning McDonald's All-American honours.
After being recruited by Duke and other college basketball powerhouses, Garland chose to attend Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was the highest-ranked recruit in the program's history. In his first college game, he led all scorers with 24 points. Unfortunately, his freshman season was cut short due to a meniscus injury, and he decided to leave Vanderbilt to prepare for the NBA draft.
The Evolution of Basketball: A 20-Year Transformation
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Vanderbilt University
The university has continued to grow and develop since its founding. During the tenure of Alexander Heard, who served as chancellor from 1963 to 1982, three new schools were added, and three dozen buildings were constructed. Vanderbilt's current chancellor, Daniel Diermeier, assumed office in 2020 and has guided the university through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Compression Shorts: Basketball Performance and Recovery Gear
You may want to see also
Explore related products
2019 NBA Draft
Darius Garland was born in Gary, Indiana, to Felicia Garland and former NBA player Winston Garland. He started playing basketball at age five and continued with the sport in elementary school, joining a travel team and an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) squad based in Nashville, Tennessee, in fourth grade. After completing sixth grade, his family moved to Tennessee so that he could attend Brentwood Academy in Brentwood, Tennessee, with his AAU teammates Gavin Schoenwald and Camron Johnson.
Garland joined the Brentwood Academy varsity basketball team in eighth grade and went on to have a decorated high school career. In his freshman season, he averaged 17 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, leading his team to a Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Division II-AA state championship. He was also a four-time state champion at Brentwood Academy, earning McDonald’s All-American honours.
After high school, Garland chose to attend Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, over other college basketball powerhouses like Duke. However, he was unable to complete his freshman season due to a meniscus injury. In January 2019, he announced that he would be leaving Vanderbilt to focus on rehabilitation and preparation for the upcoming NBA Draft.
In the 2019 NBA Draft, Garland was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the fifth overall pick in the first round. He has since become an NBA point guard for the Cavaliers, playing alongside stars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and James Harden.
The 2019 NBA Draft also included trades and picks involving other notable players and teams. Some of the trades that took place before the draft included exchanges of draft picks between teams such as the Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies. The Detroit Pistons, who had the first pick in the draft, selected Cade Cunningham. Other notable players drafted in 2019 include De'Andre Hunter, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Darius Bazley, and Kevin Porter Jr.
Where to Watch Thunder Basketball Tonight
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cleveland Cavaliers
Darius Garland, born in Gary, Indiana, was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft. Garland's father, Winston Garland, played college basketball for Missouri State before spending seven seasons in the NBA. Garland had a decorated high school basketball career at Brentwood Academy in Tennessee, where he earned several prestigious accolades, including being named Mr. Basketball in the state of Tennessee three times and earning McDonald's All-American honours.
After being recruited by Duke and other college basketball powerhouses, Garland chose to attend Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. However, his freshman season was cut short due to a meniscus injury, and he eventually left the school to focus on rehabilitation and preparation for the NBA Draft.
Garland made his NBA debut on October 23, 2019, becoming the first player born in the 2000s to do so. Despite a challenging rookie season, Garland showed flashes of brilliance, averaging 12.3 points and 3.9 assists per game. In his second season, Garland improved significantly, averaging 17.4 points and 6.1 assists per game, and helping the Cavaliers double their previous season's win total from 22 to 44. On July 9, 2022, Garland signed a five-year, $231 million contract extension with the Cavaliers.
Garland has continued to impress with his scoring and playmaking abilities, recording multiple career-high scoring games and becoming one of the key players for the Cavaliers. On January 30, 2025, Garland was named a reserve for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, his second selection. On February 5, 2025, he recorded 25 points, five assists, and a game-winning 3-pointer to lead the Cavaliers to a 118-115 win over the Detroit Pistons.
Understanding High School Basketball Game Quarters
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Career stats
Darius Garland was born in Gary, Indiana, to Felicia Garland and former NBA player Winston Garland. He started playing basketball at age five and continued with the sport in elementary school. In third grade, he attended basketball camps in Valparaiso, Indiana, led by his future Vanderbilt coach, Bryce Drew.
Garland moved to Tennessee with his family after sixth grade so that he could attend Brentwood Academy in Brentwood, Tennessee, with his AAU teammates Gavin Schoenwald and Camron Johnson. He joined the Brentwood Academy varsity basketball team in eighth grade. In his freshman season, he averaged 17 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, leading his team to a Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Division II-AA state championship.
Garland was named Tennessee Mr. Basketball three times and was a four-time state champion at Brentwood Academy. He earned McDonald's All-American honours, appearing at the Nike Hoop Summit and Jordan Brand classic. In March 2017, he garnered Naismith Trophy High School All-America honorable mention recognition. He also earned MaxPreps Junior All-American first team distinction and joined the MaxPreps High School All-American third team.
After being recruited by Duke and other college basketball powerhouses, Garland chose to attend Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He was the most highly touted recruit to ever select Vanderbilt and quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young players in college basketball. Unfortunately, his freshman season was cut short due to a meniscus injury, and he decided to leave Vanderbilt to prepare for the NBA draft.
Garland was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round (5th pick overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft. He has played six seasons in the NBA, all with the Cavaliers. Garland's career averages are 18.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He averaged a career-high 21.7 points per game in the 2021-2022 season and was named a reserve for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, his second selection.
Basketball Season: When Does the Action Begin?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Darius Garland attended Brentwood Academy in Brentwood, Tennessee.
Yes, Darius Garland played basketball for the Brentwood Academy varsity basketball team. He was named Mr. Basketball in the state of Tennessee three times.
Yes, Darius Garland played college basketball at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Yes, Darius Garland was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2019 and has played for them throughout his NBA career.
No, but his father Winston Garland played college basketball for Missouri State and spent seven seasons in the NBA.
