Daniel Gafford: stats, last game & news

Who would have thought that playing in a high school marching band could shape one of the NBA's most efficient centers? Daniel Gafford, a native of El Dorado, Arkansas, followed an unconventional path that took him from the music stands to the most prestigious courts in American basketball.

A versatile athlete from his teenage years, Gafford juggled basketball, football as a wide receiver, and playing music in his school's marching band. That last experience, which he considers pivotal, instilled in him discipline and developed his natural coordination — qualities that would prove invaluable once he focused exclusively on basketball.

At the University of Arkansas, the young big man quickly confirmed his potential. His stats improved dramatically between his freshman year (11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds) and his sophomore season (16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, nearly 2 blocks per game) — enough to convince the Chicago Bulls to select him in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft.

Since entering the NBA, Gafford has built a reputation as a lethal finisher and effective rim protector. His time with the Washington Wizards saw him set a franchise record for field goal percentage in the playoffs. But it was with the Dallas Mavericks that he reached historic heights: 33 consecutive made field goals, a feat only Wilt Chamberlain had surpassed, and a field goal percentage of 72.5% during the 2023-2024 season, the best in the league.

A key contributor to the Mavericks' run to the 2024 NBA Finals, Gafford now embodies the quintessential modern center: athletic, efficient, and clutch when it matters most.