JaVale Lindy McGee (born January 19, 1988) is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected 18th overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2008 NBA draft. He won an NBA championship with the Warriors in 2017.
McGee was born in Flint, Michigan, and attended two high schools in Michigan: Detroit Country Day School and Providence Christian, before transferring to Hales Franciscan High School in Chicago. According to Hales Franciscan coach Gary London, McGee's natural position in college was ideally small forward, and that he could play both forward spots. McGee was the starting center for the University of Nevada. After his sophomore campaign, in which he averaged 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds, shooting 53 percent from the field and 33 percent from three-point range, McGee decided to hire an agent and declare for the 2008 NBA draft.