Kevon Looney is a professional basketball player who currently plays for the Golden State Warriors in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was born on February 6, 1996, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) before being drafted by the Warriors in the first round of the 2015 NBA draft.
College Career
Looney played one year of college basketball at UCLA, where he averaged 11.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. He was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman team and was also a honorable mention for the All-Pac-12 team.
NBA Career
Looney was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the 30th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft. He played sparingly during his rookie season, appearing in only five games due to injury. In his second season, Looney played in 53 games and averaged 4.0 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.
In the 2017-18 season, Looney played in 66 games and averaged 4.0 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. He also made his first career start that season and played a key role in the Warriors’ championship run, providing solid defense and rebounding off the bench.
2018-19 Season
Looney had a breakout season in 2018-19, setting career highs in points (6.3), rebounds (5.2), assists (1.5), and blocks (0.8) per game. He also started 24 games and played a key role in the Warriors’ playoff run, providing energy and hustle off the bench.
Despite suffering a chest injury in the Western Conference Finals, Looney played through the pain and was a key contributor in the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors. He averaged 7.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game in the Finals, including a 14-point, 10-rebound performance in Game 5.
2019-20 Season
Looney’s 2019-20 season was plagued by injuries, as he appeared in only 20 games due to various ailments. He averaged 3.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game and struggled to find his rhythm on both ends of the floor.
Despite his injury struggles, Looney remained a valuable member of the Warriors’ roster and was praised by coach Steve Kerr for his toughness and professionalism.
2020-21 Season
Looney’s 2020-21 season was a bounce-back year for the young big man. He played in 41 games, starting in 20 of them, and averaged 4.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
Looney’s defensive prowess was on full display throughout the season, as he provided solid rim protection and rebounding for the Warriors. He also showed flashes of offensive potential, scoring a career-high 13 points in a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 25, 2021.
Career Statistics
Looney’s career statistics through the end of the 2020-21 NBA season are as follows:
- Points per game: 4.8
- Rebounds per game: 4.9
- Assists per game: 1.2
- Blocks per game: 0.4
- Field goal percentage: 56.6%
- Three-point percentage: 22.5%
- Free throw percentage: 59.5%
Conclusion
Kevon Looney is a talented young player who has already made a name for himself in the NBA. Despite his injury struggles, Looney has shown that he is a valuable member of the Warriors’ roster and has played a key role in their recent championship runs. With his defensive prowess, rebounding ability, and improving offensive game, Looney is poised for a bright future in the NBA.
