Patrick McCaw

Patrick McCaw
Name	Patrick McCaw
Position	Shooting guard / Small forward
Weight lb	185
League	NBA / G League
Team	Free agent
Birth date	25 October 1995
Birth place	Mount Vernon, New York, U.S.
College	UNLV (2014–2016)
Draft year	2016
Draft pick	38
Draft team	Milwaukee Bucks
Career start	2016
Highlights	* 3× NBA champion (2016, 2017, 2018)

Patrick McCaw

Patrick McCaw is an American professional basketball player known for his NBA championships, wing defense, and stint with multiple National Basketball Association teams and developmental affiliates. He gained attention as a two-time NCAA tournament participant at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas before being selected in the 2016 NBA Draft and joining championship rosters in consecutive seasons. McCaw's career includes roles with franchise organizations, G League affiliates, and international interest, framed by injuries, contract disputes, and playoff contributions.

Early life and high school

born in Mount Vernon, New York, McCaw grew up in a region with strong ties to urban basketball culture and high school programs. He attended Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx and later transferred to Saint Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, where he competed against prospects from programs such as Oak Hill Academy, Montverde Academy, and Findlay Prep. During his high school years McCaw played in circuits and events that included matchups with players who later attended Duke University, University of Kentucky, and UCLA, and he participated in showcases that attracted attention from recruiters representing University of Michigan, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and University of Kansas. His performances led to offers and interest from mid-major and major programs across NCAA Division I men's basketball.

College career

McCaw committed to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, joining the UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball program under head coach Dave Rice and later Chris Beard-era assistants and staff transitions. As a freshman he helped UNLV reach postseason contention and featured alongside teammates who later pursued professional careers in NBA G League and overseas leagues like the EuroLeague and Liga ACB. In his sophomore season McCaw increased his role as a perimeter defender and secondary ball-handler, contributing in conferences that included matchups with San Diego State, Arizona Wildcats, and Gonzaga Bulldogs. After two seasons and NCAA tournament exposure, McCaw declared for the 2016 NBA Draft, foregoing remaining college eligibility and joining a draft class that included players from UCLA, University of Kentucky, and North Carolina.

Professional career

Selected 38th overall in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, McCaw's draft rights were traded to the Golden State Warriors. With Golden State he became one of the few players to win multiple NBA championships early in a career, earning titles in 2016–17 and 2017–18 while sharing rosters with stars such as Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant. McCaw was named to championship rosters that faced teams including the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, and Toronto Raptors in high-profile playoff series.

After opting out of his rookie extension with Golden State, McCaw signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018, a move that followed negotiations and roster maneuvering involving teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets. Persistent injuries and limited availability curtailed his tenure in Cleveland; he later appeared in G League assignments with affiliates such as the Canton Charge and had workouts with franchises including the Sacramento Kings and the Denver Nuggets. McCaw returned to the Lakers organization briefly, contributing depth during regular seasons that included matchups with Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and Milwaukee Bucks and playoff pushes featuring opponents such as the Portland Trail Blazers.

Throughout his career McCaw also engaged with international teams and summer league squads from organizations like Fenerbahçe Beko, Maccabi Tel Aviv, and Real Madrid (basketball), reflecting the transnational market for wings who combine defense and length. His professional timeline encompasses stints on two-way contracts, veteran minimum deals, G League assignments, and free agency periods, intersecting with collective bargaining considerations overseen by the National Basketball Players Association and the National Basketball Association.

Playing style and strengths

McCaw's profile is defined by perimeter defense, lateral quickness, and length; he defends multiple positions and has been tasked with guarding wings and guards from programs like Villanova, Gonzaga Bulldogs, and Duke. Offensively he projects as a tertiary playmaker and catch-and-shoot option, with three-point shooting attempts that align with spacing schemes used by teams such as Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs. Analysts compare his role to "3-and-D" wings who complement primary scorers including LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry by providing defensive rotation and perimeter spacing. Scouts have noted his basketball IQ, transition play, and willingness to cut, while also citing areas for improvement like shot creation, free throw volume, and consistency against elite defenders from Eastern Conference and Western Conference opponents.

Personal life

Off the court McCaw has ties to the Mount Vernon community and has participated in youth outreach and basketball camps that mirror efforts by players from New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, and alumni networks tied to Iona College and Siena College. He has familial connections to the Northeast corridor and maintains relationships with agents and advisors who have represented clients across endorsements with companies like Nike, Inc., Adidas, and Under Armour. McCaw's career has intersected with legal and contract matters addressed by sports law practitioners and agents operating within frameworks shaped by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (NBA). He has remained active in preseason showcases, charity events, and community initiatives alongside former teammates and contemporaries from UNLV, Golden State Warriors, and NBA summer league rosters.

Category:1995 births Category:Living people Category:American men's basketball players Category:UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball players Category:Basketball players from New York (state)