Kendrick Nunn

Kendrick Nunn in 2026

Kendrick Nunn Introduction

Kendrick Nunn is a 30-year-old American professional basketball guard currently playing for Panathinaikos in the EuroLeague as he heads through 2026. After a promising start in the NBA with the Miami Heat where he finished second in Rookie of the Year voting, Nunn has found tremendous success in European basketball. He earned the EuroLeague Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy in 2025 and was named to the All-EuroLeague First Team twice in 2024 and 2025. His NBA out clause expired in early 2026, solidifying his commitment to Panathinaikos through the summer of 2026 after signing a contract extension. In the 2025-26 season, he was voted to the All-EuroLeague Second Team and continues to fill a prominent role for his Greek club with two years remaining on his contract.

Kendrick Nunn Biography

Kendrick Nunn was born on August 3, 1995, in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Simeon Career Academy in Chicago, the same high school that produced Derrick Rose and Jabari Parker. Nunn initially played college basketball at the University of Illinois, where he made the All-Big Ten Freshman Team in 2014 averaging 6.2 points per game. After a brief departure from the team in 2016, he transferred to Oakland University in Michigan. Following a year-long NCAA waiver period, Nunn dominated his final collegiate season averaging 25.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He led Division I in triples per game at 4.47 and was named Horizon League Player of the Year in 2018.

Despite his college success, Nunn went undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft. He signed with the Golden State Warriors but played for their G-League affiliate Santa Cruz Warriors, where he averaged 19.3 points per game. The Miami Heat signed him to an NBA deal in April 2019, and he immediately impressed during his rookie season. Nunn broke the NBA record for most points scored by an undrafted player in their first five career games with 112 points. He averaged 15.3 points per game in his first full NBA season and 14.6 points in his second, finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting to Ja Morant in 2020. He was named to the All-Rookie First Team alongside Morant and Zion Williamson.

NBA Career Challenges and Transition

Nunn became a free agent after the 2020-21 season and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, just before the season began, he suffered a bone bruise in his right knee that forced him to miss the entire 2021-22 season. After setbacks in his rehabilitation, he never fully regained his previous form with the Lakers. In January 2023, the Washington Wizards traded for Nunn, acquiring him along with three second-round draft picks in exchange for Rui Hachimura. During his time with the Wizards, he averaged 6.7 points and 1.4 assists per game shooting 41 percent from the field and 33 percent from deep. His last NBA appearance concluded with the 2022-23 season before he joined Panathinaikos.

EuroLeague Dominance and European Success

Nunn's career transformed dramatically after moving to European basketball. Playing for Panathinaikos in Greece, he became one of the EuroLeague's top scorers and most impactful players. In 2024, he earned EuroLeague MVP for April-May and was named Playoffs Game 5 MVP. His 2025 season was exceptional, earning him the EuroLeague Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy, EuroLeague MVP for February, and multiple weekly MVP honors including Week 26, Week 31, and Week 33. He was named to the All-EuroLeague First Team in both 2024 and 2025. Nunn set his career efficiency record at 43 on April 3, 2025, and scored 39 points on December 17, 2024. During the 2025-26 season, he averaged 17.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in the Greek Basket League with 23 minutes per game.

Current Status and Future Outlook

As of 2026, Nunn remains an unrestricted free agent in the NBA while being contracted to Panathinaikos. His NBA out clause expired in early February 2026, ending his option to return to the NBA that season and permanently removing the possibility of an NBA transfer. Panathinaikos secured his stay with an extension keeping him in Greece through at least 2026, and he has two years remaining on his contract. At 6 feet 3 inches tall and 190 pounds, Nunn plays as a shooting guard wearing number 25. He represents the United States internationally and continues to be one of the most dominant American players in European basketball. In May 2026, he returned from a neck issue to tally 17 points in a domestic contest, demonstrating his continued prominence for the club.

Kendrick Nunn Summary

Kendrick Nunn has evolved from an undrafted NBA rookie who finished second in Rookie of the Year voting to a EuroLeague champion and top scorer dominating European basketball. Born in Chicago and developed through Illinois and Oakland universities, Nunn overcame significant challenges including missing an entire NBA season due to injury before finding his true potential in Greece with Panathinaikos. His 2024 and 2025 EuroLeague performances earned him multiple MVP honors, All-EuroLeague First Team selections, and the prestigious Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy. As he navigates 2026, Nunn has committed to continuing his European success rather than returning to the NBA, cementing his legacy as one of the most successful undrafted players to excel at the highest level of international basketball. With 2000 points captured for Panathinaikos and continued All-EuroLeague recognition, his European legacy continues growingstrong.