Darius Kinnard Garland, born January 26, 2000, is a professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA. Often referred to as “DG the PG,” he played college basketball for the Vanderbilt Commodores. Garland hails from Gary, Indiana, and is the son of former professional basketball player Winston Garland. He attended Brentwood Academy in high school, where he joined the varsity basketball team in eighth grade and went on to become a four-time state champion and a three-time winner of Tennessee Mr. Basketball. Garland was a five-star recruit, ranked among the top point guards in the 2018 class, and earned a spot in the prestigious McDonald’s All-American Game.
Darius Garland Biography 2025
Garland committed to Vanderbilt as the top recruit in the program’s history. Unfortunately, after only five games in college, his season was cut short by a meniscus injury, leading him to leave the team early to prepare for the NBA draft. Although his first NBA season faced some criticism due to underwhelming performances, Garland bounced back by earning his first NBA All-Star selection in 2022 and finishing third in the voting for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award that same year.
Darius Garland Biography Details
| Born |
January 26, 2000 (age 24)
Gary, Indiana, U.S. |
| Listed height |
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Listed weight |
192 lb (87 kg) |
| High school |
Brentwood Academy
(Brentwood, Tennessee) |
| College |
Vanderbilt (2018–2019) |
| NBA draft |
2019 1st round, 5th overall pick |
| Playing career |
2019–present |
Darius Garland Early Life
Garland was born in Gary, Indiana, to Felicia Garland and Winston Garland, a former NBA player. He initially played baseball but focused exclusively on basketball starting at age five. Garland began playing basketball competitively in elementary school, scoring his first basket in second grade. By third grade, he attended basketball camps in Valparaiso, Indiana, where he was coached by Bryce Drew, who would later become his college coach at Vanderbilt. Garland competed on a travel team against older players and joined an AAU squad in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of nine because local teams did not meet his competitive standards. Following his sixth-grade year, Garland’s family moved to Tennessee so he could attend Brentwood Academy with his AAU teammates, Gavin Schoenwald and Camron Johnson. His father explained that the move was a significant decision, supported by the family, for both personal and professional reasons.
Darius Garland Bio
| Category |
Details |
| Full Name |
Darius Kinnard Garland |
| Date of Birth |
January 26, 2000 |
| Place of Birth |
Gary, Indiana, U.S. |
| Position |
Point Guard |
| Height |
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Weight |
192 lb (87 kg) |
| NBA Team |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
| College |
Vanderbilt |
Darius Garland High School Career
| Category |
High School Stats |
| High School |
Brentwood Academy |
| State Championships |
4-time winner |
| Tennessee Mr. Basketball |
3-time winner |
| Senior Year Stats |
27.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.3 APG |
| Awards |
MaxPreps High School All-American, Gatorade Player of the Year |
| Recruiting Rank |
5-Star Recruit |
College Career Overview
| Category |
Details |
| College |
Vanderbilt |
| Season |
2018–2019 |
| Games Played |
5 |
| Games Started |
5 |
| Points per Game |
16.2 |
| Assists per Game |
2.6 |
| Rebounds per Game |
3.8 |
| 3-Point Percentage |
47.8% |
Darius Garland NBA Career
| Category |
Career Stats |
| NBA Team |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Draft Year |
2019 |
| Draft Position |
5th Overall |
| NBA All-Star |
2022 |
| Career High Points |
51 points |
| Career High Assists |
18 assists |
| Playoff Appearances |
Multiple appearances |
Career Progression
| Category |
2019-2020 |
2020-2021 |
2021-2022 |
| Games Played |
59 |
54 |
68 |
| Points per Game |
12.3 |
17.4 |
21.7 |
| Assists per Game |
3.9 |
6.1 |
8.6 |
| Rebounds per Game |
1.9 |
3.4 |
3.3 |
| Field Goal % |
40.1% |
45.1% |
46.2% |
Darius Garland Playoff Career
| Category |
2023 Playoffs |
2025 Playoffs |
| Games Played |
5 |
12 |
| Points per Game |
20.6 |
15.7 |
| Assists per Game |
5.0 |
5.8 |
| Rebounds per Game |
1.8 |
3.6 |
| Steals per Game |
1.6 |
1.1 |
Career Achievements
| Category |
Achievement |
| NBA All-Star |
2022 |
| NBA Most Improved Player Voting |
3rd place in 2022 |
| McDonald’s All-American |
2018 |
| Tennessee Mr. Basketball |
3-time winner |
| Gatorade Player of the Year |
2018 |
Darius Garland Injury History
| Category |
Details |
| 2018 Meniscus Injury |
Missed remainder of college season |
| 2019 NBA Rookie Season |
Injured during early games |
Darius Garland NBA Playoff Stats
| Category |
2023 Playoffs Stats |
2025 Playoffs Stats |
| Games Played |
5 |
12 |
| Points per Game |
20.6 |
15.7 |
| Assists per Game |
5.0 |
5.8 |
Darius Garland Contract and Earnings
| Category |
Details |
| Contract Signed |
5-year, $231M extension (2022) |
| Annual Salary |
$46.2M (2025) |
| Incentives |
Performance-based bonuses |
Career-High Performances
| Category |
Performance Details |
| Points Scored |
51 points (2022 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves) |
| Assists |
18 assists (2022 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder) |
| Rebounds |
15 rebounds (2022 vs. Utah Jazz) |
Impact on the Cavaliers
| Category |
Impact Highlights |
| Team Leadership |
Leading the Cavaliers to the playoffs |
| All-Star Selection |
First selection in 2022 |
| Scoring Role |
Key offensive contributor |
Darius Garland Family Background
| Category |
Facts |
| Father’s Career |
Former NBA player, Winston Garland |
| Mother |
Felicia Garland |
| Grandfather’s Service |
Both served in the U.S. Army |
Playing Style and Skills
| Category |
Details |
| Strengths |
Scoring, passing, leadership |
| Weaknesses |
Defensive consistency |
| Key Skills |
Playmaking, three-point shooting |
Darius Garland NBA Milestones
| Category |
Milestone |
| First All-Star Selection |
2022 |
Darius Garland Net Worth
Darius Garland’s net worth is estimated between $30 million – $35 million.
Darius Garland Summary
Darius Garland is a talented NBA player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, known for his exceptional point guard skills. He was drafted 5th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft after a standout high school career at Brentwood Academy and a brief but impressive stint at Vanderbilt. Garland earned his first NBA All-Star selection in 2022 and has been recognized for his improvement each year. His career highlights include scoring 51 points in a game and becoming a key player for the Cavaliers. Garland’s strong work ethic and leadership continue to make him a rising star in the NBA.
FAQs
How did Darius Garland get the nickname “DG the PG”?
Darius Garland earned the nickname “DG the PG” as a nod to his initials and his position as a point guard, known for his dynamic playmaking and scoring abilities on the court.
What was Darius Garland’s journey from AAU basketball to the NBA?
Garland started playing competitive AAU basketball at age nine in Nashville, later moving to Tennessee to attend Brentwood Academy, and eventually became a five-star recruit and top NBA prospect.
Who coached Darius Garland in his early basketball development?
One of Garland’s early coaches was Bryce Drew, who first worked with him at youth camps and later coached him at Vanderbilt University.
What major injury did Darius Garland suffer in college?
Garland suffered a meniscus injury just five games into his college season at Vanderbilt, which ended his collegiate career early and led him to focus on preparing for the NBA Draft.
What are some of Darius Garland’s career-high NBA performances?
Garland scored a career-high 51 points in a game against the Timberwolves in 2022 and recorded a career-high 18 assists in another standout performance the same year.
How has Darius Garland’s performance evolved in the NBA playoffs?
Garland has shown steady growth in the NBA playoffs, improving his assist and rebound numbers while taking on a key leadership role for the Cavaliers in postseason play.
