Jaden Springer
Jaden Springer | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 25, 2002 United States |
| Occupation | Professional basketball player |
| Years active | 2021–present |
| Known for | Playing for the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA; NBA champion with Boston Celtics (2024) |
Jaden Tyree Springer (born September 25, 2002) is a professional basketball athlete from the United States currently playing for the New Orleans Pelicans in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He competed at the collegiate level with the Tennessee Volunteers before being selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2021 NBA Draft. During his time as a bench player with the 2023–24 Boston Celtics, Springer secured an NBA championship. His career also includes a stint with the Utah Jazz.
Early life
While in eighth grade, Springer led Lighthouse Christian School in Antioch, Tennessee by averaging 19 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. He began his high school career at Rocky River High School in Mint Hill, North Carolina, where, despite some academic challenges, he thrived under coach Jermaine Walker. As a freshman, he averaged 21.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and five assists per contest, guiding the team to its inaugural state tournament appearance. In his sophomore season, Springer posted averages of 24.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.4 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game, leading Rocky River to the Class 4A state semifinals and earning Southwestern 4A Player of the Year accolades.
For his junior and senior years, Springer transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, joining an elite roster that included recruits such as Armando Bacot, Josh Green, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. As a junior, he contributed averages of 15.6 points, four rebounds, and four assists per game, helping secure a GEICO High School Nationals title while scoring 26 points in a crucial semifinal victory over Montverde Academy. During his senior year, although limited by an ankle injury in some games, Springer averaged 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per outing. He earned selection for the 2020 McDonald's All-American Boys Game, which was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recruiting
Springer began receiving NCAA Division I scholarship offers as early as his freshman year of high school. By his sophomore year, he was regarded among the top prospects in the 2020 recruiting class. On October 23, 2019, he committed to play collegiate basketball for the Tennessee Volunteers, opting for Tennessee over other offers from programs like Memphis and Michigan.
College career
On December 18, 2020, Springer recorded 21 points along with six rebounds and six assists in a commanding win against Tennessee Tech. On February 10, 2021, he achieved a career-high of 30 points during an 89–81 triumph over the Georgia Bulldogs. Throughout his freshman season, Springer averaged 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game and was named to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman Team. Following that season, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft and signed with an agent.
Philadelphia 76ers (2021–2024)
Selected with the 28th pick in the 2021 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, Springer officially signed with Philadelphia on August 4, 2021. During his rookie campaign, he spent most of his time playing for the Sixers' G League affiliate team, the Delaware Blue Coats, appearing in only two regular-season games at the NBA level.
In his sophomore season, Springer played an instrumental role in leading the Blue Coats to capture the NBA G League championship and was honored as the Finals MVP for his outstanding performance.
Boston Celtics (2024–2025)
On February 8, 2024, Springer was traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for a second-round draft selection. He earned an NBA championship title after Boston triumphed over the Dallas Mavericks in five games during the 2024 NBA Finals.
In the opening game of the 2024 NBA Summer League, Springer led the Celtics by scoring 23 points before being sidelined. On January 22, 2025, he contributed 8 points and matched his career-best with 4 steals in a crucial overtime victory against the Los Angeles Clippers, playing important minutes off the bench and sinking a critical three-pointer late in the contest.
Utah Jazz (2025)
On February 6, 2025, Springer was traded to the Houston Rockets along with future second-round picks for 2027 and 2030, in return for a protected second-round pick in 2031. The Rockets waived him on the same day. Subsequently, on February 20, 2025, Springer signed a 10-day contract with the Utah Jazz, who then secured him on a three-year agreement by March 2. Nevertheless, he was released by Utah on July 24, 2025.
New Orleans Pelicans (2025–present)
Springer inked a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans on July 31, 2025.
Regular season
|- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia | 2 || 0 || 2.8 || 1.000 || || || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || 1.0 || 1.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia | 16 || 2 || 5.6 || .486 || .400 || .750 || .9 || .5 || .4 || .2 || 2.6 |- | style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;" rowspan=2| | style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia | 32 || 1 || 11.8 || .390 || .216 || .824 || 1.8 || 1.1 || .8 || .3 || 4.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"| Boston | 17 || 1 || 7.6 || .433 || .182 || .875 || 1.2 || .5 || .6 || .2 || 2.1 |- | style="text-align:left" rowspan=2| | style="text-align:left;"| Boston | 26 || 0 || 5.4 || .353 || .316 || .714 || .9 || .4 || .5 || .0 || 1.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"| Utah | 17 || 2 || 13.2 || .411 || .207 || .706 || 2.0 || 1.4 || .7 || .2 || 3.8 |- class="sortbottom" | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career | 110 || 6 || 8.8 || .409 || .238 || .773 || 1.4 || .8 || .6 || .2 || 2.9
Playoffs
|- | style="text-align:left;"| 2022 | style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia | 5 || 0|| 2.6|| .500|| .000|||| .8|| .4|| .0|| .0||1.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2023 | style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia |4||0||4.2||1.000|||.500||0||0|||.3||0|||.3 |- |- | style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;" | 2024 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Boston |- |4 |0 |5.5 |.667 | | |.8 |'.3' |'.0' |.3 |1 | |- class="sortbottom" |- |style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career |- |13 |0 |4.0 |.692 |.000 |.500 |.5 |.2 |.1 |.1 |1.5
College
|- | style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21 | style="text-align:left;"| Tennessee | 25 || 15 || 25.9 || .467 || .435 || .810 || 3.5 || 2.9 || 1.2 || .4 || 12.5
Personal life
Gary Springer, the father of Springer, was recognized as a McDonald's All-American and competed at the collegiate level for Iona. Although selected in the sixth round of the 1984 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, a knee injury prevented him from pursuing a professional career. Springer's two older siblings also played college basketball: Gary Jr. represented Iona, while Jordan competed at Army. Additionally, his cousin is former NBA athlete DeAndre' Bembry.