Aaron Wiggins

Aaron Daniel Wiggins (born January 2, 1999) is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Oklahoma City Blue of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Maryland Terrapins.

Aaron Wiggins
Wiggins in March 2020
No. 21 – Oklahoma City Thunder
PositionShooting guard / Small forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1999-01-02) January 2, 1999
Greensboro, North Carolina
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeMaryland (2018–2021)
NBA draft2021 / Round: 2 / Pick: 55th overall
Selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder
Playing career2021–present
Career history
2021–presentOklahoma City Thunder
2021–present→Oklahoma City Blue
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com

Early life and high school career

Wiggins grew up playing basketball and football and running track. Through his childhood, he played the piano and trombone, acted in plays and danced.[1] Wiggins played basketball for Grimsley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina before transferring to Wesleyan Christian Academy in High Point, North Carolina.[2] As a senior, he was an NCISAA Class 3A All-State selection.[3] Wiggins competed for Team Charlotte on the Amateur Athletic Union circuit.[4] A consensus four-star recruit, he committed to play college basketball for Maryland on June 3, 2017.[5] He had drawn the attention of Maryland's coaching staff while they were visiting Wesleyan to watch his teammate Jaylen Hoard.[1]

College career

Wiggins began his freshman season as a starter, but later told coach Mark Turgeon that he was more comfortable coming off the bench.[6] As a freshman at Maryland, he played the most minutes among his team's reserves.[7] He led Maryland with a season-high 15 points in losses to Michigan and Michigan State.[8] He finished the season averaging 8.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game, shooting a team-high 41.3 percent from three-point range.[9][6] On February 23, 2020, Wiggins scored a sophomore season-high 20 points, recording six three-pointers, in a 79–72 loss to Ohio State.[10] As a sophomore, he averaged 10.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game and was named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year.[11] In the final game of his junior season, Wiggins scored a career-high 27 points in a 96–77 loss to Alabama at the second round of the NCAA Tournament.[12] As a junior, he averaged 14.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, earning All-Big Ten honorable mention. On April 9, 2021, Wiggins declared for the 2021 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility.[13] He later decided to remain in the draft.[14]

Professional career

Wiggins was selected in the second round of the 2021 NBA draft with the 55th pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Wiggins had a very productive NBA Summer League with the Thunder averaging the second most points on the team with 11.2 PPG. [15] On August 15, 2021, he signed a two-way contract with the Thunder. Under the terms of the deal he will split time between the Thunder and their NBA G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue.[16]

Career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 Maryland 34423.5.385.413.8673.3.8.8.28.3
2019–20 Maryland 311628.6.377.317.7174.91.4.8.410.4
2020–21 Maryland 313033.0.446.356.7725.82.51.1.514.5
Career 965028.2.407.361.7694.61.6.9.411.0

References
  1. Giambalvo, Emily (February 26, 2019). "Maryland's Aaron Wiggins knows tap, jazz, ballet and hip-hop. Up next is the Big Dance". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  2. Bendel, Jeff; Shaw, Jamie (September 3, 2019). "Is Aaron Wiggins the Big Ten's Most Lethal Shooter in 2019-20?!". Phenom Hoop Report. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  3. Wertz Jr., Langston (February 26, 2018). "Area players honored on NCISAA all-state basketball teams". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  4. Kendziora, Thomas (November 27, 2019). "Aaron Wiggins Poised To Make Sophomore Leap For Maryland Men's Basketball". PressBox. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  5. Markus, Don (June 3, 2017). "Rising four-star small forward recruit Aaron Wiggins commits to Maryland". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  6. Markus, Don (October 31, 2019). "As sophomore year begins, Maryland wing Aaron Wiggins has seen his game and confidence grow". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  7. DuBose, Brooks (February 19, 2019). "Maryland Basketball's Aaron Wiggins A Bench Player In Name Only". PressBox. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  8. Markus, Don (February 19, 2019). "Staying aggressive has made freshman Aaron Wiggins a road warrior for Maryland". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  9. Giambalvo, Emily (November 15, 2019). "Aaron Wiggins has become stronger and more confident, but Maryland wants more". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  10. Gold, Jordan (February 25, 2020). "TT Court Vision: Aaron Wiggins shines but Terps falter at Ohio State". Testudo Times. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  11. Oyefusi, Daniel (March 9, 2020). "Maryland basketball's Anthony Cowan Jr., Jalen Smith earn All-Big Ten honors". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  12. Steinberg, Jacob (July 6, 2021). "What Does Aaron Wiggins' Decision To Leave Mean For Maryland Men's Basketball?". PressBox. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  13. Giambalvo, Emily (April 9, 2021). "Maryland's Aaron Wiggins, Eric Ayala declare for NBA draft while maintaining eligibility". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  14. Oyefusi, Daniel (July 5, 2021). "Maryland guard Aaron Wiggins keeping name in NBA draft, will forgo senior season". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  15. Ermann, Jeff (July 29, 2021). "Aaron Wiggins, former Maryland baskeball standout, taken in NBA Draft". 247 Sports.com. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  16. "Thunder Signs Aaron Wiggins to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. August 15, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
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