Dylan Windler
Dylan Windler is an American professional basketball player who plays as a small forward for the Perth Wildcats of the National Basketball League (NBL), Australia's premier professional basketball league.[1] Born on September 22, 1996, in Indianapolis, Indiana, he stands at 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m) tall and shoots left-handed.[2] Windler played college basketball for the Belmont Bruins from 2015 to 2019, where he averaged 13.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game over 128 appearances, earning first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors in his junior and senior seasons.[3] He was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 26th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft.[4] Windler's NBA career began with the Cavaliers, where injuries limited his early playing time; he appeared in 81 games across his first two seasons (2020–2022), averaging 3.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.[5] His NBA role remained limited in 2022–23, appearing in just 3 games. After being waived by Cleveland in July 2023, Windler signed a two-way contract with the New York Knicks, appearing in 3 games and averaging 1.0 point per game before being waived in December 2023.[6][5] In the 2023–24 season, he joined the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-way contract in January 2024, playing in 8 games, then moved to the Atlanta Hawks on another two-way deal in March 2024, where he appeared in 6 games, averaging 4.7 points and 2.0 rebounds per game.[5] Over his entire NBA career spanning 101 games with four teams, Windler has averaged 3.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game while shooting 42.5% from the field and 34.7% from three-point range.[5] Seeking a more prominent role, Windler signed with the Perth Wildcats in July 2024 ahead of the 2024–25 NBL season.[7] In his debut season (NBL25), he appeared in 28 games, averaging 12.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 40.0% from three-point range, helping the Wildcats reach the playoffs.[1] Impressed by his performance, the Wildcats extended his contract for two more years in April 2025, securing him through the 2026–27 season.[8] As of November 2025, in the ongoing 2025–26 NBL season (NBL26), Windler has been a key contributor for Perth, recently recording 18 points and 12 rebounds in a win over the Adelaide 36ers on November 8, 2025, despite dealing with minor ankle injuries earlier in the campaign.[9][10]Pre-professional career
High school career
Dylan Windler attended Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, from 2011 to 2015, where he emerged as a standout basketball player over his four-year varsity career as a letterwinner under head coach Brent Keck.[11] As a junior in the 2013–14 season, he averaged 13.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, showing steady improvement in his scoring and rebounding abilities.[11] Entering his senior year, Windler focused intensely on basketball after previously balancing it with competitive golf, honing his skills as a versatile forward with strong shooting and athleticism. In his senior season of 2014–15, Windler elevated his performance dramatically, averaging 27.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game while leading the state of Indiana in both categories within his classification.[11] His scoring prowess was highlighted by multiple 30-plus point games, including a 37-point outing recognized by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA), where he earned Player of the Week honors.[12] Windler's contributions helped Perry Meridian compete in the IHSAA sectional tournament, where he scored 27 points in a first-round matchup against Pike.[13] His senior campaign earned him several accolades, including selection to the 2015 IBCA/Subway Boys’ Basketball All-State team, the Indiana North-South All-Star Classic roster, the Hoosiers Reunion Classic Showcase, and Hoosier Basketball Magazine’s Indiana Top 100; he was also named Perry Meridian High School Male Athlete of the Year, All-County, and All-Conference.[11] During the summer of 2014, Windler gained national exposure playing for the Indiana Elite AAU team on the Adidas circuit, where he helped the squad win the nationally televised Adidas Super 64 championship in Las Vegas.[11] His performances, including standout showings in local tournaments like the IndyBall Shootout championship, drew attention from college scouts and resulted in 15 Division I scholarship offers, with Tennessee Tech providing the first.[14][15] On November 12, 2014, during the early signing period, Windler signed with Belmont University, opting for the program despite potential later offers from in-state powers like Indiana or Purdue.[16][15] This decision marked the culmination of his high school recruitment and paved the way for his transition to college basketball at Belmont.College career
Windler began his collegiate career at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, after committing to the program following a standout high school tenure at Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis. As a freshman in the 2015–16 season, he appeared in 32 games primarily off the bench, averaging 4.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while contributing 0.9 assists. His role was limited as he adjusted to Division I basketball in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), but he showed promise in rebounding and perimeter shooting, helping the Bruins to a 20–13 record.[17] In his sophomore year of 2016–17, Windler emerged as a more consistent contributor, starting in 30 games and boosting his production to 9.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. He demonstrated improved efficiency, shooting 53.3% from the field and 39.8% from three-point range, which aided Belmont's 15–17 campaign.[17] By his junior season in 2017–18, Windler broke out as a star, averaging 17.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists over 33 games while leading the OVC in rebounding and earning first-team All-OVC honors. His versatility shone in key matchups, including a career-high 36 points and 20 rebounds against Morehead State on February 17, 2018.[17][11] As a senior in 2018–19, Windler elevated his game to All-American levels, averaging 21.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 33 starts, once again topping the OVC in rebounding and earning first-team All-OVC honors. He ranked among the national leaders in double-doubles with 15 and showcased elite scoring efficiency at 54.0% from the field and 42.9% from beyond the arc. Windler notched multiple 30-plus point performances, including a season-high 41 points and 12 rebounds against Morehead State on February 9, 2019. In the Bruins' first-round NCAA Tournament game, a 79–77 loss to Maryland on March 21, 2019, he scored 35 points with 11 rebounds, providing a memorable capstone to his college scoring legacy. Over his four seasons, Windler appeared in 128 games, accumulating career averages of 13.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.[17][11] Windler balanced his on-court success with academic excellence, maintaining a strong GPA in accounting and earning multiple academic honors. He graduated from Belmont University with a degree in accounting in May 2019.[18]Professional career
Cleveland Cavaliers (2019–2023)
Windler was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 26th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft.[19] He signed a four-year rookie scale contract with the team on July 2, 2019.[20] However, Windler missed his entire rookie season in 2019–20 after sustaining a stress fracture in his lower left leg during preseason training camp, which required surgery on January 21, 2020, and sidelined him for the remainder of the year.[21] This injury marked the beginning of a challenging period plagued by health issues that limited his development and playing time throughout his tenure with the Cavaliers. Windler made his NBA debut on December 23, 2020, against the Charlotte Hornets, appearing in 31 games during the 2020–21 season and averaging 5.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game in 16.5 minutes of action.[5] His progress was hampered by additional setbacks, including a broken left hand in his debut game and subsequent left knee surgery in April 2021 that ended his season early.[22] To build experience, Windler was assigned multiple times to the Cavaliers' NBA G League affiliate, the Cleveland Charge, where he showed promise as a versatile wing; in the 2021–22 G League season with the Cleveland Charge, he averaged 16.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists over 3 games.[23] In the 2021–22 NBA season, Windler appeared in a career-high 50 games for Cleveland, but his role remained limited, averaging 2.2 points and 1.8 rebounds in 9.2 minutes per game amid ongoing recovery from prior injuries.[5] The following year, 2022–23, brought further limitations due to a right ankle injury sustained in preseason, restricting him to just 3 games with averages of 1.7 points per game.[24] Over three seasons with the Cavaliers, Windler played in 84 total NBA games, often serving as a depth player while continuing to develop through G League stints.[5] The team declined to extend him a qualifying offer in June 2023, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent.New York Knicks and Westchester Knicks (2023–2024)
On July 27, 2023, Windler signed a two-way contract with the New York Knicks.[25] The deal allowed him to split time between the NBA roster and the Knicks' G League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks, providing an opportunity to revive his career after years limited by injuries during his tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers.[26] Windler appeared in three games for the Knicks during the 2023–24 season, averaging 1.0 point, 0.3 rebounds, and 0.3 assists in 2.3 minutes per game.[5] His limited NBA role reflected ongoing challenges in securing consistent playing time at the highest level. On December 13, 2023, the Knicks waived him to make room on the roster.[27] Following his waiver, Windler was acquired by the Westchester Knicks on December 15, 2023, as a standard G League player.[28] In 25 games with Westchester, he averaged 13.9 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, establishing himself as one of the league's top rebounders despite his 6-foot-6 frame.[29] His rebounding prowess was particularly evident in January 2024, where he recorded back-to-back games with 20 or more rebounds, showcasing his tenacity and positioning on the glass. Windler's pinnacle moment came on January 5, 2024, in a 128–121 loss to the Delaware Blue Coats, where he tallied 23 points and a single-game G League-record 33 rebounds—including 11 offensive boards—breaking the previous mark of 29 set by Keith Closs in 1998.[30] This performance not only highlighted his dominance in the G League but also drew NBA attention, underscoring his potential as a specialist rebounder.Los Angeles Lakers and South Bay Lakers (2024)
On January 6, 2024, Dylan Windler signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, allowing him to split time between the NBA team and its G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.[31] This opportunity arose shortly after Windler's standout performance with the Westchester Knicks, where he set a G League single-game record with 33 rebounds to go along with 23 points against the Delaware Blue Coats on January 5. During his brief tenure with the Lakers, Windler appeared in eight NBA games, averaging 1.5 points and 0.4 rebounds per game while playing limited minutes off the bench.[32] His most productive outing came on January 30 against the Atlanta Hawks, where he scored six points on 2-of-3 three-point shooting in seven minutes.[33] In the G League, Windler suited up for three games with the South Bay Lakers, contributing 11.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in 24.7 minutes of action.[33] His role emphasized rebounding and perimeter shooting, building on his prior G League prowess with the Knicks' affiliate. Windler's time with the Lakers organization ended on March 2, 2024, when the team waived him to accommodate a two-way contract for forward/center Harry Giles III.[34]Atlanta Hawks (2024)
On March 4, 2024, Dylan Windler signed a two-way contract with the Atlanta Hawks, providing the team with additional wing depth amid injuries to key players including Trae Young.[35][36] This move came shortly after Windler was waived by the Los Angeles Lakers on March 2, following a stint with their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.[37] During the remainder of the 2023–24 NBA regular season, Windler appeared in six games for the Hawks, averaging 12.2 minutes, 4.7 points, and 2.0 rebounds per game in a limited bench role.[5] He did not receive any assignments to the Hawks' G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks, due to the late timing of his signing near the end of the regular season. Windler also did not feature in the Hawks' first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, as two-way contract players like him had already exhausted their regular-season eligibility limits.[38] Windler's two-way contract expired at the conclusion of the 2023–24 season, making him an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2024, after using up his three years of two-way eligibility.[39][38]Perth Wildcats (2024–present)
On August 23, 2024, Windler signed a one-year contract with the Perth Wildcats of Australia's National Basketball League (NBL), marking his transition to international professional basketball after a journeyman career in the NBA.[40][41] During the 2024–25 NBL season, Windler quickly adapted to his new environment, appearing in 28 regular-season games as a starter and contributing significantly to the team's playoff push. He averaged 12.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, while shooting an efficient 40% from three-point range, showcasing his skills as a versatile wing player.[1][42] His standout performance came in the semifinals on March 1, 2025, when he erupted for 27 points and 11 rebounds in a crucial 96–89 comeback victory over Melbourne United, helping square the series at 1–1 and forcing a decisive third game.[43][44] This outing highlighted his ability to deliver in high-stakes moments, with four blocks underscoring his defensive impact.[45] However, the Wildcats lost the deciding third game of the series to Melbourne United. Windler's successful debut season led to a contract extension, as he re-signed with the Wildcats on April 17, 2025, for a two-year deal that runs through the 2026–27 campaign.[46][8] In the early stages of the 2025–26 season, he continued to build on his momentum, posting 20 points and 15 rebounds in an 89–78 win against the New Zealand Breakers on September 27, 2025.[47][48] As of November 2025, Windler is averaging 14.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, solidifying his role as a primary shooter and rebounder while maintaining improved health that has allowed for consistent availability.[49][50]Awards and achievements
College honors
During his tenure at Belmont University, Dylan Windler earned numerous accolades for his on-court performance and academic excellence in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). These honors recognized his versatility as a forward, his statistical dominance, and his dedication to scholarship.[11] Windler was selected to the First-Team All-OVC in both the 2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons, highlighting his consistent impact as one of the conference's top players. In 2017–18, he averaged 17.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, earning the honor alongside teammates Amanze Egekeze and Austin Luke.[51] His selection to the 2018–19 First-Team All-OVC came after a senior campaign where he led the conference in rebounding with 10.9 per game while scoring 21.3 points and 2.5 assists, underscoring his all-around contributions.[52][53] As a senior in 2019, Windler finished as the runner-up for OVC Player of the Year, with Ja Morant of Murray State claiming the award; his senior-year stats of 21.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, along with a 42.9% three-point shooting rate, positioned him as a strong contender.[54] He also earned a spot on the 2019 OVC All-Tournament Team after averaging 24.5 points and 16.5 rebounds over two games, including a 32-point, 21-rebound performance in the semifinals against Austin Peay.[55] Windler received USBWA All-District honors in 2019, acknowledging his regional excellence as one of the top performers in the Southeast.[11] He was also a finalist for the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award and the Lou Henson Award in 2019, and earned Mid-Major All-American honors in both 2018 and 2019. Over his four-year career, he played in 128 games and accumulated 3,759 minutes, ranking third all-time at Belmont in career minutes played.[56][17] Academically, Windler was named to the Academic All-OVC team in both 2018 and 2019, reflecting his 3.74 GPA as an accounting major and his status as a three-time OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll recipient. He was also honored as the 2018–19 OVC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American (2018, 2019).[11][57]Professional accomplishments
Windler entered his professional career as the 26th overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. One of his most notable professional achievements came in the NBA G League, where he set the single-game rebounding record with 33 rebounds on January 5, 2024, while playing for the Westchester Knicks against the Delaware Blue Coats.[30] During the 2023–24 NBA season, Windler appeared in 17 games across three teams (New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Atlanta Hawks), contributing to his career total of 101 NBA games.Career statistics
NBA
Dylan Windler played in 101 regular-season games across four NBA seasons from 2020 to 2024, primarily as a wing player off the bench for the Cleveland Cavaliers and brief stints with the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Atlanta Hawks.[58] His career averages were 3.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game, while shooting 42.5% from the field and 34.7% from three-point range.[58] Windler's scoring peaked in his rookie season, but his role diminished in subsequent years due to limited minutes and injury history, resulting in modest overall contributions.[5] The following table summarizes his regular-season per-game statistics by season:| Season | Team(s) | GP | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | CLE | 31 | 16.5 | 5.2 | 3.5 | 1.1 | .438 | .338 | .778 |
| 2021–22 | CLE | 50 | 9.2 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 0.7 | .378 | .300 | .833 |
| 2022–23 | CLE | 3 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 0.3 | .667 | .500 | .000 |
| 2023–24 | NYK/LAL/ATL | 17 | 6.4 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 0.6 | .500 | .481 | .000 |
| Career | 101 | 10.8 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 0.8 | .425 | .347 | .800 |
| Season | Team(s) | PER | TS% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | CLE | 10.8 | .567 |
| 2021–22 | CLE | 8.8 | .519 |
| 2022–23 | CLE | 19.0 | .833 |
| 2023–24 | NYK/LAL/ATL | 14.2 | .717 |
| Career | 10.5 | .589 |
NBA G League
Windler began his professional career with brief appearances in the NBA G League during the 2019–20 season, playing two games for the Canton Charge, where he averaged 6.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.[59] He returned to the G League in the 2021–22 season with the Cleveland Charge, appearing in 10 games and averaging 15.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 47.7% from the field and 39.0% from three-point range.[59] In the 2022–23 season, Windler played 11 regular-season games for the Charge, averaging 12.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game on 52.3% field goal shooting and 40.7% from beyond the arc; he also appeared in one playoff game, scoring 19 points.[59] During the 2023–24 season, he played for multiple affiliates, appearing in 6 total games and averaging 13.0 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.[59]| Season | Team(s) | GP | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | Canton Charge | 2 | 18.5 | 6.5 | 4.0 | 0.5 | .444 | .286 | 1.000 |
| 2021–22 | Cleveland Charge | 10 | 35.6 | 15.3 | 9.9 | 2.8 | .477 | .390 | .619 |
| 2022–23 | Cleveland Charge | 11 | 22.2 | 12.2 | 5.9 | 1.1 | .523 | .407 | .632 |
| 2023–24 | Multiple | 6 | 27.8 | 13.0 | 10.2 | 1.7 | .370 | .311 | .714 |
NBL
Dylan Windler joined the Perth Wildcats for the 2024–25 NBL season, appearing in all 28 regular-season games and averaging 12.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 40.0% from three-point range on 5.2 attempts per game.[1][60][61] His efficiency from beyond the arc, combined with high volume, highlighted his role as a perimeter threat for the team.[61] In the 2025 playoffs, Windler contributed significantly during the semifinals against Melbourne United, including a pivotal second-half performance in Game 2 on March 1, 2025, where he scored 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to help fuel a comeback victory that forced a decisive Game 3.[45][43] As of November 17, 2025, in the early stages of the 2025–26 season, Windler has appeared in 9 games, averaging 12.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game with 1.9 assists, projecting toward higher outputs based on standout performances like 20 points and 15 rebounds in the season opener on September 27, 2025, and 26 points with 11 rebounds on October 11, 2025.[60][62] His rebounding prowess, built on a reputation from the NBA G League, has carried over effectively to the NBL.[60][63]| Season | GP | PPG | RPG | APG | 3PA/G | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 28 | 12.2 | 6.6 | 2.1 | 5.2 | 40.0 |
| 2025–26* | 9 | 12.9 | 7.3 | 1.9 | 4.3 | 30.0 |
| Career | 37 | 12.4 | 6.8 | 2.1 | 5.0 | 38.0 |
College
Windler played college basketball for the Belmont Bruins in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) from 2015 to 2019.[17] As a freshman in the 2015–16 season, he appeared in all 32 games but started only one, averaging 18.4 minutes per game in a limited role off the bench.[17] His production increased steadily each year, with significant growth in scoring and rebounding during his junior and senior seasons.[17] In his senior year of 2018–19, Windler led the OVC in total rebounds (357) and defensive rebounds (293), while ranking third in the conference in scoring (702 points).[65] He also demonstrated strong rebounding efficiency, posting a total rebound percentage of 17.7 that season, the highest in the OVC.[17]Regular Season Per-Game Statistics
| Season | GP | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–16 | 32 | 18.4 | .495 | .239 | .667 | 4.5 | 0.9 | 4.3 |
| 2016–17 | 30 | 30.1 | .533 | .398 | .733 | 6.3 | 1.6 | 9.2 |
| 2017–18 | 33 | 35.4 | .559 | .426 | .718 | 9.3 | 2.7 | 17.3 |
| 2018–19 | 33 | 33.2 | .540 | .429 | .847 | 10.8 | 2.5 | 21.3 |
OVC Conference Per-Game Statistics
| Season | GP | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–16 | 16 | 19.3 | .519 | .250 | .565 | 4.6 | 0.9 | 4.6 |
| 2016–17 | 16 | 30.9 | .558 | .432 | .767 | 5.9 | 1.9 | 9.9 |
| 2017–18 | 18 | 34.7 | .550 | .457 | .710 | 9.0 | 2.7 | 18.9 |
| 2018–19 | 18 | 32.8 | .584 | .481 | .888 | 10.9 | 2.4 | 23.0 |