Ish Wainright

Ishmail Carzell Wainright, an American-Ugandan, was born on September 12, 1994. He is of notable provenance in the field of basketball, having evolved into a professional player for the Phoenix Suns, a prominent team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He operates on a two-way contract and continues to be a stalwart for the senior Ugandan national team. His early sports career was not just restricted to basketball, as Wainright also displayed his athletic talents on the football field as a tight end. With roots deeply embedded in sports, he is the descendant of Maurice King, a former NBA player.

During 2012–13, while studying at the Montrose Christian School in Rockville, Maryland, Wainright played under head coach Stu Vetter for two seasons, propelling the team to an impressive 19–5 record in his senior year. High school was also where he demonstrated his versatility by averaging not only 8.8 points but also contributing 9.1 rebounds and 8.2 assists for the Mustangs. Displaying such talents earned Wainright the 2013 All-MET honors.

His high school stint at Raytown South High School in suburban Kansas City saw him average an incredible 13.6 points and 9.8 rebounds while in 10th grade during 2010–11. His exploits on the court culminated into him being named as a consensus top-75 recruit, ranked as high as No. 28 in the class of 2013 by ESPN.com.

Enrolling at Baylor University, Wainright commanded a prominent presence on the basketball court for the Baylor Bears for four seasons. During his junior year, he averaged 5.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. His senior year was no less phenomenal as he averaged 5.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. His performance was enough to earn him a place on the Big 12 All-Defensive Team. Not one to limit his talents, Wainright also had a stint as a tight end in football where he had four catches for 34 yards and two touchdowns.

After Baylor, Wainright made an audacious move by joining the Buffalo Bills of the NFL as an undrafted free agent. Even though he didn’t make the final roster, his athletic journey was far from over. He returned to basketball and signed with Nürnberg Falcons BC on September 3, 2018. Over the course of the following clubs and seasons like the SIG Strasbourg, and Rasta Vechta, Wainright continued to impress with his increasing skills and consistency in performance.

On August 7, 2021, Wainright signed a two-year, non-guaranteed deal with the Toronto Raptors. However, the Raptors waived him on October 17. Just five days later, Wainright signed a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns, marking the beginning of his NBA career, debuting against the Dallas Mavericks and recording his first official points, rebounds, and assist in a game against the Denver Nuggets. His career highs of 20 points and 8 rebounds in a close loss to Los Angeles Clippers are remarkable considering his rookie status. On April 10, the Suns converted his deal into a standard contract.

Apart from his domestic basketball career, Wainright also devoted his efforts to the Ugandan men’s national basketball team. As an American born in Kansas City, Missouri, he decided to become a naturalized Ugandan, a move that would not only contribute to the Ugandan team but also open up employment opportunities. He rose to the occasion in his national team’s debut, scoring 36 points and obtaining 13 rebounds in a win over Cape Verde.

Off the court, Wainright faced personal trials, including the death of his father, pastor Calvin Wainright. Despite grappling with lower back pain and loss, Wainright made a triumphant return to action with the Suns, marking a significant three-pointer in a win against Golden State Warriors. His commendable performance led to him signing a two-year, $2.5 million deal with the Suns on February 24, 2023.

Moving forward in his career, a notable moment occurred when coach Monty Williams decided to put Wainright into the game during a match against the Dallas Mavericks. Despite not having played any part of that game thus far, Wainright made four of his five three-point attempts, aiding the Suns in a tight win.

The Wainright family’s involvement in sports extends beyond Ishmail; his younger brother Amaad also had a successful college basketball journey, and his cousin Tyon Grant-Foster has charted his own path in the basketball field. These connections have seen Wainright foster relationships across the sporting globe, from Kansas State University to Grand Canyon University, cementing his position as a generational talent in the world of sports. With passion and talent running in the family, the journey of Ishmail Carzell Wainright is a testament to familial bonds, perseverance, and the love of the game.