Darius Garland has quickly developed into one of the most promising young point guards in the NBA. In just his third season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the 24-year-old Garland earned his first All-Star selection while helping lead the Cavs back to playoff contention.
Player Profile:
Name: Cleveland Cavaliers
Role: Point Guard
Jersey Number: 10
Height: 6’1″ (1.85m)
Weight: 192lb (87kg)
Date of Birth (Age): January 26, 2000 (24 years)
Darius Garland’s Salary and Contract Details
In December 2021, Garland agreed to a five-year, $193 million maximum rookie scale contract extension with the Cavaliers. This contract will keep him in Cleveland through the 2026-27 season.
Here are the details of Garland’s current contract:
- 2022-23: $7,863,200
- 2023-24: $33,750,400
- 2024-25: $36,750,400
- 2025-26: $39,750,400
- 2026-27: $43,750,400 (Player Option)
Garland will earn over $30 million per year over the final four years of his deal as he enters his prime NBA years. This makes him one of the highest paid point guards in the league.
Darius Garland Stats
In the 2022-2023 season so far, Garland has taken his game to new levels:
- Points per game: 22.2 (Career high)
- Assists per game: 8.2
- Field goal percentage: 47.6%
- Three point percentage: 41.4% (Career high)
Garland has embraced being the Cavaliers’ primary offensive creator, increasing his scoring output significantly while remaining an elite outside shooter with over 40% accuracy from three. He earned the first All-Star selection of his career in 2023.
Darius Garland’s Impressive Sophomore Season Stats
In his second NBA season in 2021-2022, Garland put up outstanding numbers on his way to winning the NBA’s Most Improved Player award:
- 21.7 points per game
- 8.6 assists per game
- 46.2% FG, 38.3% 3PT
Garland’s Physical Attributes
Darius Garland has all the tools needed to be an elite NBA point guard:
- Height: 6 feet, 1 inch
- Weight: 87 Kg
- Wingspan: 6 feet, 43⁄4 inches
- Vertical leap: 341⁄2 inches
While he lacks size, Garland makes up for it with blinding quickness and rare ballhandling ability. His wingspan also allows him to play bigger than his height.
Garland’s Amateur Career Before the NBA
Darius Garland played in college for the Vanderbilt Commodores during the 2018-2019 season. Some key notes:
- Was the #1 ranked high school point guard recruit entering college
- Averaged 16.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game at Vandy
- Played only 5 games before suffering a torn meniscus injury
- Withdrew from Vandy following freshman season to enter NBA draft
How Darius Garland Fell to 5th Overall Pick in 2019 NBA Draft?
Heading into his lone college season, Garland was projected as a potential #1 overall pick. However, after just five games, he suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Concerns over the injury caused Garland’s draft stock to take a hit. He fell to the Cavaliers at pick #5. In hindsight, selecting Garland looks like an excellent choice for Cleveland.
Here is how the top 5 picks in the 2019 Draft now stack up:
- Zion Williamson
- Ja Morant
- RJ Barrett
- De’Andre Hunter
- Darius Garland: Outplaying his original draft slot
Interesting Background Information on Darius Garland
Beyond his on-court excellence, here are some intriguing facts about Darius Garland’s background:
- Born in Gary, Indiana – same hometown as NBA legend Fred Brown
- His father, Winston, played basketball at Indiana State
- Darius started playing basketball at age 5 in the backyard with his family
- A devout Christian, Garland is very open about his religious faith
- Enjoys playing chess and video games in his spare time
- Close friends with fellow NBA stars Trae Young and Ja Morant – part of same draft class
Cleveland Cavaliers Roster Outlook with Garland as Floor General
The Cavaliers have rapidly rebuilt into a contender in the Eastern Conference. Their starting lineup and key players alongside All-Star Garland include:
- Center Jarrett Allen – 2022 All Star
- Forward Evan Mobley – 2022 Rookie of the Year runner-up
- Guard Donovan Mitchell – Perennial 20+ ppg scorer
- Forward Caris LeVert – Dynamic secondary scoring option
This blend of youth and experience has Cleveland poised for long-term success. And having the talented Garland at point guard to lead the offense makes them all the more dangerous.
How Darius Garland Compares to Other Star Point Guards?
While still early in his career, Garland already compares favorably to some of the NBA’s top point guards:
- Stephen Curry: Similar three point shooting accuracy and range
- Ja Morant: Comparable athleticism and finishing ability inside
- Trae Young: Elite playmakers and pick-and-roll ballhandlers
- Kyrie Irving: Crafty one-on-one scorers and dribblers
If he maintains his current track, Garland looks destined join those stars among the elite NBA playmakers for years to come. And in the ultra-competitive Eastern Conference, he’ll have many intense battles against those same stars facing off in the playoffs soon.
At just 24 years old, Darius Garland has quickly elevated from intriguing prospect to All-Star leader of an emerging contender in Cleveland. His development into an unflappable clutch scorer combined with his natural playmaking gifts provide an ideal profile for today’s NBA point guard. And paired with Cleveland’s stockpile of young talent, Garland has the Cavaliers firmly back on the NBA map and poised to make noise for the long run.
Don’t Forget to read about: The Tallest NBA Players of Today and All-Time Legends
Other Cleveland Cavaliers Players
Presented below are additional Cleveland Cavaliers players:
- Donovan Mitchell, Shooting Guard
- Isaac Okoro, Small Forward
- Evan Mobley, Power Forward
- Jarrett Allen, Center
- Lamar Stevens, Forward
- Dean Wade, Forward
- Robin Lopez, Center
- Ricky Rubio, Point Guard
- Brodric Thomas, Forward
- Luke Kornet, Center
- Isaiah Mobley, Forward
- David Nwaba, Forward
- Damion Lee, Guard
Other NBA PGs
Here is a list of active NBA players at the Point Guard position:
- Chris Paul (Phoenix Suns)
- Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
- Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies)
- Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks)
- Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks)
- Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)
- Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn Nets)
- Dejounte Murray (San Antonio Spurs)
- LaMelo Ball (Charlotte Hornets)
- Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies)
- Fred VanVleet (Toronto Raptors)
- Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers)
- De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings)
- Cole Anthony (Orlando Magic)
- Lonzo Ball (Chicago Bulls)
- D’Angelo Russell (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Mike Conley (Utah Jazz)
- Goran Dragic (Chicago Bulls)
- Kyle Lowry (Miami Heat)
- Ricky Rubio (Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Malcolm Brogdon (Boston Celtics)
- Aaron Holiday (Atlanta Hawks)
- Tyus Jones (Memphis Grizzlies)
- Immanuel Quickley (New York Knicks)
- Monte Morris (Washington Wizards)
- Derrick White (Boston Celtics)
- Facundo Campazzo (Denver Nuggets)
- Tyrese Martin (New York Knicks)
- Theo Maledon (Charlotte Hornets)
- Sharife Cooper (Atlanta Hawks)
- Miles McBride (New York Knicks)
- Killian Hayes (Detroit Pistons)
- Tre Jones (San Antonio Spurs)
- David Stockton (Utah Jazz)
Learn More: Top 20 Biggest Floppers in the NBA 2024
FAQ’s
How many 3s does Darius Garland average?
Darius Garland averages 2.3 made 3-pointers per game this season for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
How many points does Darius Garland average in the first quarter?
Darius Garland averages 5.2 points per game in the first quarter this season.
Did Darius Garland play in college?
No, Darius Garland played in college for only 5 games at Vanderbilt University before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
