Jaden Springer

Jaden Springer's Biography

Jaden Tyree Springer was born on the 25th of September, 2002, and is best known as a professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics, a team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before making his mark in the professional arena, Springer played college basketball for the Tennessee Volunteers. Even more impressively, he made his mark while not even being on the starting lineup; Springer won an NBA championship as a reserve player with the Boston Celtics during the 2023-2024 season.

This future NBA star discovered his basketball potential at a young age. Springer played at the varsity level even in eighth grade at Lighthouse Christian School in Antioch, Tennessee. Averaging 19 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, Springer was a team favorite. His high school career began at Rocky River High School in Mint Hill, North Carolina. His impressive performance on the court, averaging 21.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and five assists per game in his freshman season, led his team to its first-ever state tournament appearance. His performance didn’t waiver in his sophomore year, as Springer averaged 24.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.4 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game, taking his team to the Class 4A state semifinals. Finally, his exceptional performance earned him the title of Southwestern 4A Player of the Year.

In pursuing his love for the sport, Springer transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where he played in his junior and senior years. Here, Springer became a part of one of the nation’s top teams and played alongside other high-ranking recruits such as Armando Bacot, Josh Green, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. Despite suffering an ankle injury that kept him out of some games, Springer stood out, achieving an average of 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game in his senior season. Unfortunately, the opportunity to showcase his talent in the McDonald’s All-American Game was denied due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Springer’s impressive high school basketball career attracted scholarship offers from several NCAA Division I basketball programs. In October 2019, he committed to playing college basketball for Tennessee, rejecting offers from colleges such as Memphis and Michigan. As a freshman at Tennessee, Springer scored 21 points, recorded six rebounds and six assists in a 103–49 win against Tennessee Tech. His impressive performance continued with a career-high 30 points in an 89–81 win over Georgia. In his freshman year, Springer averaged 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. His impressive performance earned him a spot on the Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman Team. At the end of his first collegiate season, Springer declared for the 2021 NBA draft.

The Philadelphia 76ers selected Springer as the 28th pick in the NBA draft. He was assigned to the Sixers’ G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, where he spent most of his rookie year. However, his stint with the Blue Coats was not short of achievements. He won the NBA G League title with the team and was named the championship game’s most valuable player. After proving his worth in the G League, Springer got traded to the Boston Celtics in 2024. It was during his stint with the Boston Celtics that Springer earned his first NBA championship.

Basketball runs in Springer’s blood, with his father, Gary, being a McDonald’s All-American basketball player who played for Iona and was a sixth-round selection in the 1984 NBA draft. Though he didn’t play professionally due to a knee injury, Gary paved the basketball path for his sons, with Springer’s older brothers both playing college basketball. Springer’s cousin, DeAndre’ Bembry, also had a successful NBA career.

Even after his initial successes, Springer didn’t rest on his laurels and showcased impressive performance in the 2024 NBA Summer League for the Boston Celtics. The star athlete’s journey is a testament to the fact that talent, coupled with determination and perseverance, paves the way for flourishing careers in professional sports.