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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1996-02-06) February 6, 1996 (age 28) Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 222 lb (101 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Hamilton (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) |
| College | UCLA (2014–2015) |
| NBA draft | 2015: 1st round, 30th overall pick |
| Selected by the Golden State Warriors | |
| Playing career | 2015–present |
| Position | Power forward |
| Career history | |
| 2015–present | Golden State Warriors |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Stats at NBA.com  | |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
Kevon Grant Looney (born February 6, 1996) is an American basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). As a freshman playing college basketball with the UCLA Bruins, he earned second-team all-conference honors in the Pacific-12, and was named to their all-freshman team in 2014–15. After the season, he decided to forego his college eligibility and enter the 2015 NBA draft.
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, he led all freshmen in the nation in double-doubles, recording double figures in both points and rebounds in 15 games.
Looney was drafted by the Golden State Warriors as the 30th pick in the 1st round of the 2015 NBA Draft.
Early life
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Looney was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Doug and Victoria Looney. As a youngster, he watched his older brother Kevin, who was six years older, play pickup games. Like his brother, Looney became a Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant fan, and would watch tapes of Bryant and copy the Lakers star's moves.
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. In his sophomore year in 2012, he 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, Looney averaged 26.1 points, 12.4 rebounds, 7.0 blocks and 3.1 assists per game, and led a team of mostly unproven players to a runner-up finish for the conference title.
In his final season, he 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. Though he was Hamilton's tallest player, he was also their best passer, and played mostly at point guard. 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; he was a Parade All-American as well. Looney 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. He 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.
College career
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 UCLA 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 Bruins in 2013–14.
Playing power forward for UCLA, Looney was one of the top freshman in the country in 2014–15. In the season opener, he debuted with 20 points, nine rebounds and three assists in a 113–78 win over Montana State. CBS Sports called his performance "one of the more impressive freshman debuts in UCLA's rich history." He followed up with double-doubles in his next four games, and became the first freshman in UCLA history with at least four double-doubles in his first five games. Soon, pundits began projecting Looney as a freshman lottery pick should he decide to enter the National Basketball Association (NBA). He had seven double-doubles in the Bruins' first 10 games, before scoring in double digits just once during a five-game losing streak for UCLA, which included an 0–2 start to their Pacific-12 Conference schedule. Looney helped the team end their streak with career highs of 27 points and 19 rebounds in a 86–81 double-overtime win over Stanford. He was one of 14 players named to the midseason watch list of the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) for the Wayman Tisdale Award, presented annually to the nation's top freshman. He was also one of 16 finalists for the inaugural Karl Malone Award, given to the top power forward in Division I men's basketball.
UCLA rarely called plays for Looney, and his scoring typically came off putbacks, fast breaks, and open shots. A natural at rebounding, his shooting improved as the season progressed. After making just nine of 28 of his three-point field goals in the first 24 games, Looney was 11 of 17 in the last seven games of the regular season. Still his scoring tapered off, with only one game over 15 points since his career-game at Stanford. In the 2015 Pac-12 Tournament, Looney exited mid-game after he took an arm to his left cheek during UCLA's quarterfinal win over USC. He was a game-time decision to play the following day against Arizona, when he was cleared and fitted with a protective mask just 90 minutes before the contest. Though impaired by the mask, he played 30 minutes but was limited, finishing below his season averages with only five points and four rebounds. The Bruins lost 70–64, but the close match helped them secure a bid into the 2015 NCAA tournament. Looney continued to play wearing the mask as UCLA advanced to the Sweet 16 for the second straight season.
For the season, Looney averaged 11.6 points and led the team with 9.2 rebounds per game; he finished with 15 double-doubles. Among all freshmen nationally, his double-doubles led the nation and his rebounding ranked second. His rebounds and double-doubles ranked second among all players in the Pac-12. Looney made 47.0 percent of his field goals, and 41.5 percent from three-point range. He was voted second-team All-Pac-12, and named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. He was also named second-team all-district by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). After the season, he decided to forego his remaining college eligibility to declare for the 2015 NBA draft.
Professional career
Golden State Warriors (2015–present)
Looney declared for, and opted to remain in, the 2015 NBA Draft after his freshman season. He was selected 30th overall by the 2015 NBA Champions, Golden State Warriors.
Notes
- Looney had earlier become the fourth UCLA freshman in the past 22 years with a double-double in either of his first two games. The first three were Charles O'Bannon, Kevin Love, and Kyle Anderson. Looney later became the first Bruins freshman with two double-doubles in his first three games.
References
- ^ "Kevon Looney Bio". UCLA Bruins. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
- ^ Kartje, Ryan (July 25, 2014). "Versatile Looney could be a game-changer for UCLA basketball". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on November 21, 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Langemo, Laura (February 4, 2014). "MPS' Kevon Looney named McDonald's All-American". Fox 6 News. Archived from the original on November 21, 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - Bates, Greg (June 8, 2012). "Kevon Looney draws comparisons as next Kevin Durant". Max Preps. Archived from the original on November 22, 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - Stewart, Mark (April 4, 2012). "All-area capsules". The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on November 22, 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Stewart, Mark (October 31, 2014). "Milwaukee Hamilton basketball star Kevon Looney chooses UCLA". The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on November 21, 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Vecenie, Sam (November 15, 2014). "UCLA freshman Kevon Looney ready to make instant impact". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on November 21, 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - Arguello, Ricardo (March 26, 2014). "Seymour Thunder's Sandy Cohen leads all-state team". The Post-Crescent. Archived from the original on January 3, 2015.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Stewart, Mark (March 26, 2014). "Milwaukee Hamilton's Looney, Brown Deer's Appleby win state honors". The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on November 22, 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Stewart, Mark (April 10, 2014). "Hamilton's Kevon Looney not resting on laurels". The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on November 22, 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - Hernandez, Rob (November 1, 2013). "College basketball: Milwaukee Hamilton's Kevon Looney chooses UCLA over Badgers". Madison.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Helfand, Zach (March 11, 2015). "UCLA's Kevon Looney is on the bubble too". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 13, 2015.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - "UCLA routs Nicholls 107-74 for 3rd straight win". ESPN. Associated Press. November 20, 2014. Archived from the original on November 22, 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - Bonsignore, Vincent (December 12, 2014). "UCLA freshman Kevon Looney is gobbling up the double-doubles". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on December 12, 2014.
{{cite news}}:|archive-date=/|archive-url=timestamp mismatch; December 13, 2014 suggested (help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - "Long Beach State (2-2) at UCLA (3-0)". UCLA Sports Information. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 23, 2014.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - Tucker, Kyle (December 20, 2014). "Kentucky rolls to rout of UCLA". USA Today. Archived from the original on March 13, 2015.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - Medcalf, Myron (December 12, 2014). "Weekend Predictions: Kansas falls in K.C." ESPN.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2015.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - Kartje, Ryan (January 6, 2015). "Alford searching for right buttons to turn around Bruins". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on January 10, 2015.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - Helfand, Zach (January 8, 2015). "UCLA ends losing streak with 86-81, double-overtime win over Stanford". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 10, 2015.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - Vecenie, Sam (January 9, 2015). "Kevon Looney's night leaves NBA scouts drooling, gives UCLA hope". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on January 10, 2015.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - "UCLA's Kevon Looney Named to Wayman Tisdale Award Midseason List". UCLA Bruins. January 23, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
- "Wyoming's Nance finalist for Karl Malone Award". USA Today. Associated Press. February 17, 2015. Archived from the original on March 13, 2015.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Wang, Jack (March 18, 2015). "Kevon Looney's UCLA career could end with unfulfilled promise". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on March 19, 2015.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - Wang, Jack (January 10, 2015). "Can UCLA's Kevon Looney be more than a 'garbage guy'?". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on March 19, 2015.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - Helfand, Zach (March 16, 2015). "UCLA Bruins' Kevon Looney knows he faces a tough challenge". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 18, 2015.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - Kartje, Ryan (March 17, 2015). "New mask is a clear winner for UCLA's Looney". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on March 18, 2015.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - Kartje, Ryan (March 12, 2015). "Looney's status uncertain after facial injury". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on March 18, 2015.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - "Larry Eustachy: Players devastated". ESPN.com. March 15, 2015. Archived from the original on March 16, 2015.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Wang, Jack (April 6, 2015). "Kevon Looney leaving UCLA for NBA draft". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on April 7, 2015.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - "UCLA freshman Kevon Looney to leave early for NBA draft". The Washington Post. Associated Press. April 6, 2015. Archived from the original on March 6, 2015.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - "2014-15 Pac-12 Conference Men's Basketball Honors" (Press release). Pac-12. March 9, 2015. Archived from the original on March 9, 2015.
{{cite press release}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - "National Association of Basketball Coaches Announces 2014-15 Division I All-District Teams and UPS All-District Coaches" (Press release). National Association of Basketball Coaches. March 27, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 1, 2015.
{{cite press release}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)
External links
Categories:- 1996 births
- Living people
- African-American basketball players
- Basketball players from Wisconsin
- Golden State Warriors draft picks
- McDonald's High School All-Americans
- Parade High School All-Americans (boys' basketball)
- Power forwards (basketball)
- Sportspeople from Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- UCLA Bruins men's basketball players