Andrew Wiggins is a Canadian professional basketball player who currently plays for the Golden State Warriors in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was chosen as the first overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers following his freshman year of college basketball with the Kansas Jayhawks.
Wiggins’ talent and potential were highly regarded, leading to his selection as the top pick in the draft. His athleticism, scoring ability, and defensive skills made him an exciting prospect in the league. After being drafted by the Cavaliers, Wiggins’ rights were later traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he began his NBA career.
Throughout his career, Wiggins has showcased his skills as a versatile player, contributing to his teams on both ends of the court. In 2020, he was traded to the Golden State Warriors, where he continues to make an impact with his scoring and defensive abilities. Wiggins’ journey from college basketball to becoming a prominent player in the NBA highlights his dedication and talent in the sport.
Early Life
Andrew Wiggins was born in Toronto, Ontario, and grew up in the Vaughan neighborhood near Thornhill, Ontario. His father, Mitchell Wiggins, is a former NBA player from the United States, while his mother, Marita Payne Wiggins, is a former Olympic sprinter from Barbados who represented Canada. Andrew’s parents met while they were student-athletes at Florida State University.
During his early years, Wiggins attended Glenn Shields Public School for elementary education and later enrolled at Vaughan Secondary School for high school. It was during this time that he began playing organized basketball at the age of 9, joining an under-10 team in Toronto. Despite his relatively short stature at the time, standing at 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m), Wiggins displayed early signs of his athletic prowess.
Wiggins achieved a significant milestone at the age of 13 when he dunked a basketball for the first time. The following year, he experienced a growth spurt and reached a height of 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m).
His extraordinary athleticism was on full display when he shattered a glass backboard after dunking on a rim at the Dufferin Clark Community Centre in Vaughan. These moments served as early indicators of Wiggins’ exceptional basketball talent and foreshadowed his future success in the sport.
Career
Andrew Wiggins began his high school career at Vaughan Secondary School in Vaughan. In his sophomore year, he played a key role in leading his school’s AAAA basketball team to an impressive 44-1 record and helped them secure the Ontario Championship.
During the championship game, despite facing some negative reactions from the crowd, Wiggins contributed 25 points and 13 rebounds to his team’s victory.
His outstanding performances on the court garnered recognition and accolades. In 2013, Wiggins was named the Naismith Prep Player of the Year and the Gatorade National Player of the Year, becoming the first Canadian player to receive these prestigious awards.
He was also honored as Mr. Basketball USA and was ranked as the number one high school basketball player by SLAM magazine.
Wiggins showcased his skills in the Jordan Brand Classic All-American game in 2013, where he scored 19 points and tied for the leading scorer on the East team alongside Julius Randle. Following this success, he committed to the University of Kansas in May 2013 and officially joined the team in June.
During his freshman year at Kansas, Wiggins made an impact on the court, averaging 17.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and shooting 34.1% from beyond the arc.
His performances earned him recognition as a top contender for the John R. Wooden Men’s Player of the Year Award and he was selected as one of the 10 semifinalists for the Naismith College Player of the Year.
In the 2014 NBA Draft, Wiggins declared his eligibility and was chosen as the first overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He became the second Canadian player to receive this honor in the NBA Draft, following Anthony Bennett, who was also selected first overall by Cleveland in the 2013 NBA Draft.
Wiggins made his NBA debut on October 29, 2014, scoring six points in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Throughout his rookie season, he showcased his talent and earned Rookie of the Month honors for the first two months of the season in the Western Conference. He went on to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award for the 2014-2015 season.
Throughout his career, Wiggins has also made notable contributions to Canadian basketball. He participated in international competitions such as the FIBA World Under-17 Championship in 2010 and the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship in 2012, helping Canada’s junior national team secure bronze medals in both events.
Wiggins has represented Canada at various tournaments, including the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship, where he helped the team win a bronze medal and was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Wiggins has continued to be an important figure in Canadian basketball, participating in the 2020 FIBA Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament and demonstrating his skills by averaging 21.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game over the course of three tournaments.
Andrew Wiggins Net Worth
Andrew Wiggins is a popular American basketball player who has amassed an estimated net worth of $28.6 Million. He makes money through his career as a superb basketball player.
Who is Andrew Wiggins’ Best Friend?
Jordan Poole is Andrew Wiggins’ best friend. Both players joined the Warriors in the same season and have progressed together within the team’s system.
Jordan Poole is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Golden State Warriors in the NBA. He attended Rufus King High School in Milwaukee and later transferred to La Lumiere School in La Porte, Indiana.
Poole has been a part of the Warriors for four seasons. During this time, he has averaged 15.8 points, 3.4 assists, and 2.6 rebounds across 266 regular-season games.
Persona Life
Mychal Johnson, a former player for the Notre Dame basketball team, has been in a relationship with Wiggins since 2013. The couple is blessed with two daughters named Amyah Wiggins and Alayah Milan. While Mychal showcased her basketball skills during her college years at Notre Dame, her current profession remains unknown.
