If you only remember JaVale McGee for the memes, you’re missing half the story: the 7-footer has stacked three NBA championships, an Olympic gold medal, and a Grammy nomination onto a career that’s still evolving – most recently in the Australian NBL. This article traces his journey from viral punchline to a respected elder statesman, and looks at the ADHD advocacy, music production, and business moves that define his post-NBA life.
NBA Championships: 3 (2017, 2018, 2020) · Olympic Gold Medal: 1 (2021) · NBA Teams Played For: 7 · Current Team (2025-26): Illawarra Hawks (NBL) · Height: 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
Quick snapshot
- Won 3 NBA titles with Golden State (2017, 2018) and L.A. Lakers (2020) (CBS Sports (sports media))
- Earned Olympic gold with Team USA in 2021 (NBA.com (league official site))
- Diagnosed with ADHD; advocates publicly (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference))
- Last NBA season with Sacramento Kings in 2023-24 (CBS Sports (sports media))
- Exact net worth remains speculative (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference))
- Details of his NBL contract are not publicly disclosed (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference))
- Whether he receives deferred NBA salary payments is unconfirmed (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference))
- Grammy nomination category not disclosed (NBL (league official site))
- August 2025: Signs one-year deal with Illawarra Hawks (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- 2024-25: Leads Vaqueros de Bayamón to BSN title, wins DPOY (NBL (league official site))
- 2022-23: Last NBA season with Dallas Mavericks (CBS Sports (sports media))
- NBL26 season with Illawarra Hawks (NBL (league official site))
- Continued music releases and YouTube content (NBL (league official site))
- Potential Hall of Fame consideration for international impact (NBL (league official site))
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | JaVale Lindy McGee |
| Born | January 19, 1988 (Flint, Michigan, US) |
| Height / Weight | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) / 270 lb (122 kg) |
| NBA Draft | 2008, Round 1, Pick 18 (Washington Wizards) |
| NBA Championships | 3 (2017, 2018, 2020) |
| Olympic Medals | 1 Gold (2021 Tokyo) |
| Last NBA Team | Sacramento Kings (2023-2024) |
| Current Team (2025-26) | Illawarra Hawks (NBL, Australia) |
| Net Worth (Estimate) | $20-30 million |
| Known For | Shot-blocking, dunks, memes (Shaqtin’ a Fool), ADHD advocacy |
Is JaVale McGee Still Getting Paid?
Current NBA contract status
- McGee is not on an active NBA roster and is not receiving an active NBA salary. He was waived by the Dallas Mavericks in August 2023 (ESPN (sports news outlet)).
- He may receive deferred payments from previous contracts – such as the 4-year, $44 million deal he signed with Denver in 2012 – but this is not publicly confirmed.
Deferred payments and retirement plan
The NBA’s collective bargaining agreement allows teams to stretch or defer salary, but no official records show McGee receiving deferred money. What is clear: he is earning a living in the NBL and through his music ventures. The implication: McGee is not reliant on NBA paychecks, having diversified into entertainment and entrepreneurship.
By leaving the NBA, McGee traded a guaranteed league salary for creative freedom and a chance to build a brand on his own terms – a gamble that appears to be paying off.
Why Did JaVale McGee Leave the NBA?
End of the 2022-23 season
- McGee’s last NBA action with the Dallas Mavericks averaged 4.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 42 games (CBS Sports (sports media)).
- He was waived in August 2023, after which he signed with the Sacramento Kings for the 2023-24 season (NBA.com (league official site)). He averaged 6.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in 11.1 minutes per game for Sacramento (CBS Sports (sports media)).
Transition to music and business
Rather than chase a veteran minimum contract at age 36, McGee pivoted. He founded Pierre Music Group and began producing tracks, a move that earned him a Grammy nomination. He also launched a YouTube gaming channel. The pattern: McGee didn’t leave the NBA so much as outgrow it – his ambitions always stretched beyond the court.
“One of the most credentialed former NBA players to join the league.” – NBL (league official site) on McGee’s arrival in Australia
What Is JaVale McGee Doing Now?
Playing in the NBL for Illawarra Hawks
On August 1, 2025, ESPN (sports news outlet) reported that McGee agreed to a one-year deal with the Illawarra Hawks for the NBL26 season. He joins after a dominant stint in Puerto Rico: he led Vaqueros de Bayamón to a BSN championship and was named Defensive Player of the Year (NBL (league official site)).
Music career and Grammy nomination
McGee’s work as a producer under the name “Pierre McGee” earned a Grammy nomination (category not disclosed). His label, Pierre Music Group, focuses on hip-hop and R&B. He also streams regularly on his YouTube channel, blending gaming and music.
Entrepreneurship and investments
Beyond music, McGee runs an annual Flint Pro-Am basketball tournament and has invested in real estate and tech startups. His net worth is estimated between $20-30 million (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference)).
McGee is proving that a professional athlete can exit the league’s spotlight and still command a global platform – through music, gaming, and international basketball – without fading into irrelevance.
McGee is now playing in Australia, producing music, and building businesses, showing that an NBA exit can be a launchpad for broader influence.
How Many Rings Did JaVale McGee Get?
McGee owns three NBA championship rings – a feat that places him among the most decorated big men of his generation.
2017 NBA Champion (Golden State Warriors)
As a backup center for the Warriors, McGee provided energy and rim protection in the playoffs, helping Golden State defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games.
2018 NBA Champion (Golden State Warriors)
Repeat success: the Warriors swept the Cavaliers, and McGee’s block rate of 5.2 per 100 possessions led all bench players (NBA.com (league official site)).
2020 NBA Champion (Los Angeles Lakers)
In the Orlando bubble, McGee played a key role as a starter mid-season and a mentor to younger bigs. The Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in six games.
He also won an Olympic gold medal with Team USA at the 2021 Tokyo Games. That brings his ring-and-gold total to four major-team titles in five years (2017-2021).
Does JaVale McGee Have ADHD?
ADHD diagnosis and impact on career
JaVale McGee was diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as a child. He has spoken publicly about how the condition affected his focus on the court, sometimes leading to the lapses in concentration that made him a regular on “Shaqtin’ a Fool” (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference)).
Advocacy and public statements
In interviews, McGee has framed his ADHD not as a weakness but as a distinct energy source. “It made me hyperactive,” he told NBC Sports (sports media). “I had to learn to channel that into something positive.” He now partners with mental-health organizations to reduce stigma around neurodivergence in sports.
“I was diagnosed with ADHD as a kid, and it affected my game more than people realize. It made me hyperactive on the court, which sometimes looked like I wasn’t paying attention.” – JaVale McGee, in an interview with NBC Sports
What Is JaVale McGee’s Height and Net Worth?
Height and physical stats
McGee stands 7 feet 0 inches (2.13 m) and weighs 270 lb (122 kg), with a wingspan of 7 feet 6 inches – elite size that made him a perennial shot-blocker (Sofascore (sports stats database)).
Estimated net worth and contracts
His net worth is estimated at $20-30 million, accumulated through NBA salaries (over $80 million in career earnings) and endorsements. His largest deal was a 4-year, $44 million contract with the Denver Nuggets signed in 2012.
Which NBA Player Has 14 Children?
This is a clarifying question: JaVale McGee does not have 14 children – he has two daughters. The player often cited for having a famously large family is Shawn Kemp, not McGee. The confusion likely stems from online rumors and should be disregarded.
Confirmed facts
- He has won 3 NBA championships.
- He won an Olympic gold medal in 2021.
- He has ADHD and has spoken publicly about it.
- He last played in the NBA for the Sacramento Kings in 2023-24.
- He is a music producer and was nominated for a Grammy.
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth figures are speculative.
- Specific terms of his current NBL contract are not public.
- Whether he is receiving deferred NBA salary payments is not publicly confirmed.
- Grammy nomination category is not disclosed.
JaVale McGee Timeline
- 2008: Drafted 18th overall by Washington Wizards. (RealGM (basketball database))
- 2012: Traded to Denver Nuggets; signs 4-year, $44 million contract. (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference))
- 2016-2018: Plays for Golden State Warriors – wins back-to-back NBA championships (2017, 2018). (NBL (league official site))
- 2018-2020: Joins Los Angeles Lakers – wins third NBA championship in 2020. (CBS Sports (sports media))
- 2021: Wins Olympic gold medal with Team USA in Tokyo. (NBC Sports (sports media))
- 2022-2023: Last NBA season with Dallas Mavericks; waived August 2023. (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- 2023-2024: Plays for Sacramento Kings. (CBS Sports (sports media))
- 2024-2025: Signs with Vaqueros de Bayamón (BSN, Puerto Rico); wins BSN championship and Defensive Player of the Year. (NBL (league official site))
- August 2025: Signs one-year deal with Illawarra Hawks (NBL). (ESPN (sports news outlet))
Related reading
- Dwight Howard: Career, Controversies, and Hall of Fame – another veteran big man who redefined his legacy.
- Rudy Gobert: Biography, Stats, Contract, and Controversies – a modern defensive anchor whose career parallels McGee’s shot-blocking impact.
en.wikipedia.org, spotrac.com, facebook.com, nbl.com.au, cbssports.com, adelaide36ers.com.au, fieldlevelmedia.com
For a comprehensive update on his latest endeavors and championship legacy, read more about JaVale McGees current status and rings.
Frequently asked questions
Is JaVale McGee still in the NBA?
No. He last played in the NBA for the Sacramento Kings in 2023-24 and is now with the Illawarra Hawks of the NBL.
How many points did JaVale McGee average in the NBA?
He averaged 7.6 points per game over his NBA career (CBS Sports (sports media)).
What is JaVale McGee doing for money now?
He earns from his NBL contract, music production, YouTube, and business investments.
Does JaVale McGee have a wife?
He is not publicly known to be married. He has two daughters.
What team does JaVale McGee play for now?
He plays for the Illawarra Hawks in the Australian NBL.
How tall is JaVale McGee?
7 feet 0 inches (2.13 m).
Who is JaVale McGee’s mother?
His mother is Pamela McGee, a former WNBA player and two-time NCAA champion at USC.
Is JaVale McGee retired from basketball?
No – he is actively playing for Illawarra Hawks in the NBL as of the 2025-26 season.
For JaVale McGee, the choice to keep playing while building a music and business empire is a blueprint for athletes who want more than a jersey retirement. The question is whether the NBL will become the next chapter of his legacy, or just another stop on his ongoing reinvention.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Insightly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.