Topic: JaVale McGee

JaVale McGee (born January 19, 1988) is an American professional basketball player who was selected 18th overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2008 NBA Draft. He is a center who is listed at 7'0" and 252 lb. On July 9, 2008, he signed a two-year, $2.4 million deal with the Wizards.

McGee was born in Flint, Michigan, and attended two high schools in Michigan: Detroit Country Day and Providence Christian, before transferring to Hales Franciscan in Chicago. McGee was the starting center for the University of Nevada, Reno. 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. 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.

On January 9, 2010, McGee was fined $10,000 by the Washington Wizards for participating in Gilbert Arenas' antics before a game on January 5, 2010 against the Philadelphia 76ers. Arenas was being investigated for a prior incident involving guns in the Wizards' locker room, but made light of the accusations by pointing his finger at his teammates, as if he were shooting them. His teammates were photographed smiling and laughing with him.