Dereck Lively II

ABOUT

Dereck Jeremiah Lively II (born February 12, 2004) is a young American professional basketball player with a promising career in the NBA. He currently plays for the Dallas Mavericks, having been selected as the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder, who then traded his rights to the Mavericks. Lively played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils and has garnered attention for his exceptional skill set and impressive performances on the court.

BEFORE FAME

Dereck Lively II had a notable high school basketball career, playing for Westtown School in West Chester, Pennsylvania. During his senior season with the team, he demonstrated his prowess by averaging 14 points, 14 rebounds, and 4.5 blocks per game, earning recognition as the Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year. His amateur success put him on the radar as a highly-touted prospect, leading to his recruitment by several top college programs. Ultimately, Lively committed to Duke, making an immediate impact as part of their basketball team.

TRIVIA

• Lively's mother, Kathy Drysdale, is a former Penn State basketball player, contributing to his deep basketball roots.
• He was considered a five-star recruit and the top-ranked player in ESPN's class of 2022.
• During his time at Duke, he started in 27 of 34 games and averaged 5.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game, underlining his defensive abilities and potential as a professional player.
• Lively has been active in Summer League games with the Dallas Mavericks, showcasing his skills and potential to become a key player in the team’s setup.

FAMILY LIFE

Dereck Lively II comes from a family with a strong basketball background. His mother, Kathy Drysdale, played basketball at Penn State. This rich basketball lineage has undoubtedly influenced Lively’s path and development in the sport. His family's support has been a significant factor in his growing career, from high school through to his steps into professional basketball.

ASSOCIATED WITH

Dereck Lively II’s basketball journey has seen him connected with several prominent figures and institutions in the sport. At Duke, he played under head coach Jon Scheyer, a significant developmental phase before his professional career. He has since joined the Dallas Mavericks, where he is teammates with renowned players such as Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. Through his summer league appearances and upcoming NBA seasons, Lively is expected to further solidify his association with top-tier talents in basketball.