Kevon Grant Looney ( kə-VON; born February 6, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers 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 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 the Golden State Warriors with the 30th overall pick. He won three NBA championships during his 10-year tenure with the Warriors.
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. Finally healthy in 2017–18, Looney became a regular in the Warriors' rotation as an undersized center, helping them win a second straight championship. Looney won a third championship with Golden State in 2022 as their starting center. After ten seasons with the Warriors, Looney signed with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2025.
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Early life
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.
Looney was the best player on his high school team at Alexander Hamilton High in Milwaukee. Looney was already being recruited by colleges as a freshman, receiving offers from in-state schools Marquette and Wisconsin. 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 Looney was Hamilton's tallest player, he was also their best passer, and played mostly at point guard. Capable of handling the ball, creating his own shot, and shooting, mixtapes on YouTube hailed Looney 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. Looney 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 also a Parade All-American. Looney was named Wisconsin Mr. Basketball by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association, and both 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.
Hamilton retired Looney's No. 5 in 2018. He considered changing his number when he was a sophomore, but Looney's 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."
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 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 Looney 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. Looney 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. Playing power forward for the Bruins, he was one of the top freshmen in the country in 2014–15. During the season opener, Looney 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." Looney 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). Looney 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 Pac-12 Conference schedule. Looney helped the team end their streak with career highs of 27 points and 19 rebounds in an 86–81 double-overtime win over Stanford. He was one of 14 players named to the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA)'s mid-season watchlist for the Wayman Tisdale Award, presented annually to the nation's top freshman. Looney 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 rebounder, Looney's 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 next day against Arizona, when Looney was cleared and fitted with a protective mask 90 minutes before the contest. Though impaired by the mask, Looney 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.
Professional career
Golden State Warriors (2015–2025)
After one season with UCLA, Looney decided to forgo his remaining college eligibility to declare for the 2015 NBA draft. However, his draft stock dropped over concerns with his hip. ESPN.com reported on the morning of the draft that Looney had undergone surgery on his hip before the 2014–15 season and that "he probably misses the [following] season" but Looney's camp denied he had any procedure done. Looney had also heard that some teams did not think his success at UCLA would translate to the NBA and some executives and scouts did not believe he played hard enough. One of 19 players to attend the draft, Looney fell to the final pick of the first round, where he was chosen 30th overall by the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors, who had recently won the 2015 NBA Finals, said they had no evidence Looney required any further treatment. Nonetheless, they were comfortable with any recovery time that he might need, given his age, potential and the team's established core lineup.
On July 8, 2015, Looney signed his rookie scale contract with the Warriors, and played on their Las Vegas Summer League team. On August 20, Looney underwent a successful right hip arthroscopy to repair a torn labrum.
On January 4, 2016, Looney was assigned to the Santa Cruz Warriors, Golden State's D-League affiliate, after being cleared to practice after rehab from his surgery. Looney made his professional debut on January 12 with Santa Cruz, logging a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds in 16 minutes against the Idaho Stampede. On January 24, Looney was recalled by Golden State after averaging 8.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in 18.2 minutes over five games. Three days later against the Dallas Mavericks, he was activated for the first time due to an injury to big man Festus Ezeli. Looney made his NBA debut that evening, becoming the 11th former UCLA player to play for the Warriors. Looney scored on his first attempt and finished with two points and two rebounds in a 127–107 victory and was given the game ball after the game. Golden State had Looney continue working on his conditioning, and Looney received multiple assignments to Santa Cruz.
Looney suffered a setback in March, when he was sidelined by inflammation in his surgically repaired hip. The Warriors finished the regular season with an NBA-record 73 wins, breaking the previous mark of 72 set by the Chicago Bulls in 1995–96. On April 22, Looney underwent a successful arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn labrum on his left hip, which was expected to sideline him from four to six months. A similar procedure had been performed on his right hip eight months earlier. Looney finished his rookie year with five games played with Golden State and 12 in the D-League. The Warriors made the NBA Finals in 2016, but lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games despite a 3–1 lead.
New Orleans Pelicans (2025–2026)
On July 7, 2025, Looney signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, reuniting with former teammate Jordan Poole. According to Looney, he felt like his playing time, especially during the 2025 NBA playoffs, was limited and that the Warriors were not utilizing him in ways that suited his strengths, even against favorable matchups. Looney made 21 appearances (including eight starts) for New Orleans during the 2025–26 season, recording averages of 2.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists.
Los Angeles Lakers (2026–present)
On July 13, 2026, Looney signed a one-year $3.9 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Player profile
Standing at 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 m), Looney is most suited to playing power forward. Possessing a 7-foot-4-inch (2.24 m) wingspan, he is also a capable, small-ball center who is able to guard all five positions. Looney's length allows him to switch assignments and defend guards. He moves fairly well on the perimeter, and is not easily lured by pump fakes. Looney can also defend the rim.
Looney had limited mobility after his hip surgeries. Lacking explosion, he worked on faking opponents and getting his defender off balance. After becoming healthier and losing weight, Looney became more athletic and proficient at catching lob passes. During the summer 2018 off-season, he worked on finishing the lobs without having to land first. Looney practiced in a Shoot 360 facility in Oakland, which gives players feedback in real time on their technique. He said: "I like to get the feedback. How did I shoot today? Was my shot flat on my misses? What was causing my misses?"
Career statistics
Personal life
In addition to his brother Kevin, Looney has an older sister named Summer. His cousin Nick Young also played in the NBA, and they were teammates on the Warriors in 2017–18.