Kevon Looney

Kevon Grant LoOney (born February 6, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

In his sophomore year in 2012, LoOney was named Player of the Year of the Milwaukee City Conference after averaging 20.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.

As a junior, he averaged 26.1 points, 12.4 rebounds, 7.0 blocks, and 3.1 assists per game, leading a team of mostly unproven players to a runner-up finish for the conference title.

In his final season, LoOney averaged 27.9 points, 12.7 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 8.0 blocks per game; both CBS Sports and The Post-Crescent called his averages "nearly" a quadruple-double.

Although he was Hamilton's tallest player, he was also its best passer, and played mostly at point guard.

Capable of handling the ball, creating his own shot, and shooting, mixtapes on YouTube hailed him as "the next KD", in reference to future Golden State teammate Kevin Durant.

Hamilton went undefeated in conference play to win its first league title in four years, and LoOney earned his second City Conference player of the year award.

He gained national recognition, becoming just the second player in Milwaukee Public Schools history, and the sixth ever in Wisconsin, to be named a McDonald's All-American; LoOney was also a Parade All-American.

He was named Wisconsin Mr. Basketball by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association, and Gatorade and the Associated Press named him their state player of the year.

LoOney was listed as a five-star prospect by Rivals.com, ESPN.com and Scout.com, who ranked him nationally as the No. 10, No. 12, and No. 15 player, respectively.

LoOney announced on Halloween in 2013 his decision to attend the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

No recruiting analysts at 247Sports.com had predicted his decision, which was a secret to everyone, including his parents.

LoOney liked California and called UCLA the "most beautiful campus I had ever seen."

He was impressed with Bruins coach Steve Alford's vision for the team.

The Bruins did not guarantee LoOney a feature role as a freshman, but sold to him that he would be allowed to play both inside and outside and show his versatility, much like Kyle Anderson did for the school in 2013–14.

Upon his arrival at UCLA over the summer before his freshman season, LoOney suffered a hip injury while playing in the gym.

Bruins guard Isaac Hamilton shot the ball and fell into the right leg of LoOney, who was positioning to rebound the ball.

He rested for two to three weeks before the season.

He did not miss a practice or game all year, but the injury hampered his lateral movement and speed.

LoOney avoided changing directions, and played more like a lumbering big man.

Growing up in Wisconsin, LoOney was named the top high school player in the state as a senior in 2014.

He also received national recognition as a five-star prospect and earned All-American honors.

In his only season at UCLA, LoOney led all freshmen in the nation in double-doubles, recording double figures in both points and rebounds in 15 games.

One of the top players in the Pac-12, he was also named to their all-freshman team.

As a rookie with Golden State, LoOney's playing time was limited after undergoing surgery on both his hips.

The next season, a strained left hip sidelined him for most of the playoffs during their championship run.

As a freshman playing college basketball with the UCLA Bruins, he earned second-team all-conference honors in the Pac-12 in 2015.

After the season, LoOney decided to forgo his college eligibility and enter the 2015 NBA draft, and was selected in the first round by Golden State with the 30th overall pick.

He has won three NBA championships with the Warriors.

Finally healthy in 2017–18, LoOney became a regular in the Warriors' rotation as an undersized center, helping them win a second straight championship.

He won a third championship with Golden State in 2022 as their starting center.

LoOney was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Doug and Victoria LoOney.

Growing up, he was coached by his father, who played as a forward at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, and became the school's career rebounding leader.

LoOney also watched his brother Kevin, who was six years older, play pickup games.

Like his brother, LoOney became a Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant fan, and watched tapes of Bryant, copying his moves.

His brother would let him play basketball with him, but only if Kevon rebounded more and shot less.

Kevon LoOney was the best player on his high school team at Alexander Hamilton High in Milwaukee.

He was already being recruited by colleges as a freshman, receiving offers from in-state schools Marquette and Wisconsin.

Hamilton retired LoOney's No. 5 in 2018.

He considered changing his number when he was a sophomore, but his close friend Wati Majeed talked him out of it: "You're No. 5, that's who you are. You can play all five positions and guard all five positions."