Introduction
Jake LaRavia is one of the promising young forwards in the NBA who brings a versatile skill-set and athletic frame to the wing/forward position. From his college breakthrough to his early professional career, his journey reflects both steady development and flashes of high potential. In this article, we explore his career high, trade / draft pick history, age, contract details, and ethnicity / background—all with an SEO-optimised, unique narrative.
Early Life & Background
Born on November 3, 2001 in Pasadena, California, Jake Glen LaRavia later moved to Indianapolis, Indiana when he was about five years old.
He attended Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis, where he first began to make his mark as a basketball player. In his senior year, he averaged 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.3 steals per game, earning Indiana All-Star honors and helping his team to a sectional title.
Regarding nationality and ethnic background, he holds American nationality. As for his ethnicity, while precise details are not publicly confirmed, most sources identify him as White / Caucasian with American roots.
At 6-7 (≈201 cm) and 235 lbs (≈107 kg), he has the size and frame suited for a modern NBA forward.
College Career & Development
LaRavia began his collegiate career at Indiana State University (2019-21). As a freshman he averaged roughly 9.4 points and 5.9 rebounds and earned MVC All-Freshman and All-Newcomer honours.
In his sophomore season at Indiana State, he improved to about 12.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, earning Second-Team All-MVC honours.
In 2021 he transferred to Wake Forest University for his junior year (2021-22), where he started all 33 games and averaged 14.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 55.9% from the field and 38.4% from three-point range.
He also had a standout college game: on January 22, 2022 he recorded a career high 31 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists in a 98-76 win vs. North Carolina.
This mix of scoring ability, rebounding, ball-handling, and defensive versatility made him an appealing NBA prospect.
Draft Pick & Trade History
In the 2022 NBA Draft, LaRavia was selected in the first round, 19th overall, by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
However, on draft night his rights were traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in a deal that sent the 19 th pick (LaRavia) and a future second-rounder to Memphis in exchange for the 22nd and 29th picks (which became other players).
He began his NBA career in Memphis (2022–25). Then, on February 6, 2025, he was traded to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team deal involving the Washington Wizards and Memphis.
Finally, in July 2025 he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.
This sequence—drafted by Minnesota, traded to Memphis, then to Sacramento, then signing with the Lakers—shows both his perceived value and the shifting strategic fit in the NBA.
Career High / On-Court Performances
One of LaRavia’s individual high-points came in the NBA during his time with Memphis. According to his NBA bio, on April 10 at Cleveland he scored a career-high 32 points (10-18 FG, 8-11 3PT, 4-5 FT).
He also had a game where he logged 28 points (7-13 FG, 3-6 3PT, 11-11 FT) and 6 assists on April 12 vs. the Lakers, setting career highs for free throws made, assists and minutes.
In college his career-high of 31 points is also noteworthy.
While these “career highs” mark his top statistical games, his role has often been as a versatile role player. Over his NBA career so far he has averaged around 6.9 points per game, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists.
His scouting profile emphasized his ability to shoot from outside, pass, defend multiple positions, and operate off the ball—though he was not viewed as a dominant athlete or elite off-the-dribble creator.
Age & Physical Profile
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Date of Birth: November 3, 2001.
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Height: 6 ft 7 in (201 cm), Weight: 235 lbs (≈106 kg).
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As of October 2025 (his current age): 23 years old.
Because of his relatively young age and limiting years of NBA experience, he still carries potential upside for development.
Contract Details
In June/July 2025, the Los Angeles Lakers signed Jake LaRavia to a two-year, $12 million fully guaranteed contract.
Sources indicate this deal used a portion of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
Contract breakdown:
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Duration: 2 years
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Total value: ~$12 million
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Team: Los Angeles Lakers
This signing signals that L.A. views him as a young wing/forward with upside who can contribute in a stretch-forward role, particularly with shooting and defensive versatility.
Ethnicity, Nationality & Personal Life
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Nationality: American. He was born in Pasadena, California, and later moved to Indianapolis.
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Ethnicity: Not definitively confirmed. Public sources indicate he is White/Caucasian with American background; there are no detailed publicly-available declarations about specific ancestral roots.
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Personal life: Raised in a Christian household; faith plays a role in his narrative according to interviews.
What This Means for His Career & Future
LaRavia’s path thus far shows a few key themes:
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Versatility – He can shoot from outside (38%+ in college), pass, rebound and defend multiple positions. His skill-set fits modern forwards who must do more than score in the paint.
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Development arc – He didn’t arrive as a star but gradually improved in college then made his way into the NBA. His jump in production in his second season (10.8 ppg) hints at upward trajectory.
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Role-player ceiling – While he has talent, his scouting reports include caution about his ability to create off the dribble and his lack of elite athleticism.
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Fit with the Lakers – The Lakers’ investment indicates they view him as a contributor in their system: a stretch-forward who can defend, make open shots, and improve.
For the future: if he continues to improve his 3-point shooting consistency, defensive impact, and off-ball movement, he could carve out a valuable role. The next two years under his new contract are crucial for that development.
Conclusion
Jake LaRavia’s journey—from high school standout in Indianapolis to first-round draft pick and now a two-year, $12 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers—illustrates his growth and potential. At just 23 years old, with multi-positional ability, a proven college track record, and flashes of NBA scoring highs, he is poised for the next step in his career. While he still has areas to refine, especially in creation and athleticism, his profile as a modern forward makes him a compelling young asset. For fans and analysts alike, the key question is: will he convert his upside into consistent production? If he does, his contract could look like a smart bet. If not, the league will move on to the next young talent.
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