From five-star recruit to NBA standout: the rising trajectory of Gary Trent Jr.
In short: A highly touted prospect from the 2017 high school class, Gary Trent Jr. has transitioned from a standout Duke Blue Devil to a prolific NBA scorer. His journey through the professional ranks has been defined by rapid statistical growth and high-scoring performances across multiple franchises.
Gary Trent Jr. entered the national spotlight as a premier talent in the 2017 high school class, where he was ranked as the No. 8 overall recruit and the top shooting guard by several major scouting services. After a dominant high school career—which included averaging 31.8 points per game during his senior year at Prolific Prep—he signed with Duke University in November 2016 as part of a consensus top-rated incoming class.
His collegiate tenure at Duke was marked by immediate impact. During the 2017–2018 season, Trent Jr. achieved several milestones, including a career-high 30 points against Miami and tying the Duke freshman record for six three-point shots in a single game against Boston College. Following the season, he was one of five Duke starters to declare for the professional ranks.
Trent's NBA career began in 2018 when he was drafted 37th overall by the Sacramento Kings and subsequently traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. While his rookie season saw him averaging 2.7 points per game, his production escalated significantly in subsequent years. By his third season, he was averaging 15 points per game in 31 minutes of play.
A pivotal shift occurred in March 2021 when the Toronto Raptors acquired him in a trade. During his time in Toronto, he demonstrated elite scoring capabilities, including a 44-point performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers and a streak of five consecutive 30-point games. He has since moved to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he continues to contribute high-scoring performances in both the regular season and the playoffs.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Gary Trent Jr.
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