Mike Conley Jr.
Michael Alex Conley Jr. (born October 11, 1987) is an American professional basketball player who serves as a point guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA).[1] Drafted fourth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2007 NBA draft, Conley has had a distinguished 18-season career marked by consistent excellence in playmaking, defense, and leadership.[1] Born in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, Conley is the son of Mike Conley Sr., a two-time Olympic triple jump medalist, and Rene Conley.[1] He attended Ohio State University for one season in 2006–07, where he earned All-Big Ten First Team honors and led the Buckeyes to the NCAA Tournament.[1] Conley is married to Mary Conley, and the couple has three sons: Myles, Noah, and Eli.[1] Conley's NBA journey began with the Grizzlies, where he played for 12 seasons from 2007 to 2019, establishing himself as a franchise cornerstone with career averages of 14.9 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game across 788 regular-season appearances.[2] Traded to the Utah Jazz in 2019, he spent four seasons there, contributing to playoff runs and earning his first NBA All-Star selection in 2021.[1] In February 2023, Conley joined the Timberwolves via trade, where he has since provided veteran stability, appearing in 76 games (all starts) during the 2023–24 season and helping the team reach the Western Conference Finals.[3] Among his notable achievements, Conley has won the NBA Sportsmanship Award four times (2014, 2016, 2019, 2023) and the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award twice (2019, 2024), recognizing his exemplary character and contributions off the court.[4][3] Defensively, he earned All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2013 and led the league in steals that year with 174.[1] Career milestones include surpassing 15,000 points (ranking 149th in NBA history) and accumulating over 5,000 assists, 2,500 rebounds, and 1,000 steals.[4] In the playoffs, Conley peaked with a 24.7 points per game average during the 2017 postseason with Memphis.[1]Early life and education
Family background
Michael Alex Conley Jr. was born on October 11, 1987, in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana.[1] Conley hails from a family with a strong athletic heritage. His father, Mike Conley Sr., is a celebrated track and field athlete who earned a silver medal in the triple jump at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and a gold medal in the same event at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.[5] Conley Sr.'s rigorous training regimen and competitive success profoundly shaped his son's approach to sports, instilling a deep commitment to discipline and perseverance; as Conley Jr. later reflected, his father served as his coach until age 12, teaching fundamentals like footwork and ball-handling that emphasized hard work over innate talent.[6] This paternal influence extended beyond technique, fostering the quiet determination that has defined Conley Jr.'s professional career. The family's athletic legacy also includes Conley Jr.'s uncle, Steve Conley, who played as a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL after a standout college career at the University of Arkansas.[7] Immersed in this environment from infancy, Conley Jr. showed an early affinity for basketball, with his parents recalling his obsession with bouncy balls as a one-year-old and him joining organized AAU teams by age six.[8][9] Raised in basketball-obsessed Indiana, he gained foundational exposure to the sport through family encouragement and the local competitive scene, laying the groundwork for his future pursuits.High school career
Mike Conley Jr. attended Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he developed into one of the nation's top point guards.[1] As the starting point guard for four years, Conley helped lead Lawrence North to a remarkable 103-7 overall record and three consecutive Indiana Class 4A state championships from 2004 to 2006, showcasing his leadership on the court alongside future NBA teammate Greg Oden.[1] In his senior season of 2005-06, he averaged 16.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, demonstrating his playmaking ability and scoring prowess while guiding the team to the state title.[10] Conley's high school excellence earned him national recognition, including selection to the 2006 McDonald's All-American Game, where he was one of the top high school talents in the country.[1] He was also named a third-team Parade All-American and finished as runner-up for Indiana Mr. Basketball that year.[1] These accolades highlighted his recruitment status as a five-star prospect and the No. 21 overall player in the class of 2006, leading him to commit to Ohio State University.[11]College career
Mike Conley Jr. played one season of college basketball at Ohio State University during the 2006–07 campaign under head coach Thad Matta.[12] As a highly touted freshman guard, he quickly established himself as the starting point guard for the Buckeyes, appearing in all 39 games and starting every one while averaging 31.6 minutes per contest.[13] Conley contributed significantly to the team's offensive and defensive efforts, leading the Big Ten Conference in both assists (6.1 per game) and steals (2.2 per game).[14] In his lone collegiate season, Conley averaged 11.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, shooting 51.8% from the field and helping Ohio State achieve a 35–4 overall record, including a 15–1 mark in Big Ten play that secured the conference regular-season title.[13][12] His playmaking and defensive tenacity were pivotal in the Buckeyes' postseason success, as they earned a No. 1 seed in the South Region of the 2007 NCAA Tournament and advanced to the national championship game, where they fell to Florida 84–75.[15] During the tournament, Conley elevated his performance, averaging 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, earning Most Outstanding Player honors in the South Regional and a spot on the NCAA All-Tournament South Regional team alongside teammate Greg Oden.[1][15][16] Conley's outstanding freshman year garnered him significant recognition, including selection to the All-Big Ten First Team by the media and Second Team by the coaches, as well as Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors and a spot on the 2007 All-Big Ten Tournament Team after the Buckeyes won the conference tournament.[1][17] Following the national runner-up finish, Conley, along with fellow freshmen Oden and Daequan Cook, declared for the 2007 NBA Draft on April 20, 2007, forgoing further college eligibility.[18]Professional career
Rookie and early years with Memphis Grizzlies (2007–2010)
Mike Conley Jr. was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the fourth overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, following a standout freshman season at Ohio State where he helped lead the Buckeyes to the national championship game. His college experience as a national runner-up provided a solid foundation for his professional transition, emphasizing poise under pressure that translated to the NBA level. In his rookie season of 2007–08, Conley appeared in 53 games, starting 46, and averaged 9.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 42.8% from the field.[19] His performance earned him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team, recognizing his quick adaptation as a floor general despite the challenges of entering a rebuilding franchise.[20] By the 2008–09 season, Conley solidified his role as the starting point guard for the Grizzlies, playing all 82 games and increasing his production to 10.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, with improved efficiency at 44.2% field goal shooting and 40.6% from three-point range.[19] He demonstrated growing leadership on the court, distributing the ball effectively to teammates amid a young roster still finding its identity. In the 2009–10 season, Conley continued his development, averaging 11.7 points and 5.3 assists over 80 games, further establishing himself as the team's primary playmaker with enhanced decision-making and defensive contributions.[19] Despite Conley's steady emergence, the Grizzlies endured difficult years, posting sub-.500 records of 22–60 in 2007–08, 24–58 in 2008–09, and 40–42 in 2009–10, which kept them out of playoff contention in the competitive Western Conference. Nevertheless, Conley's consistent growth and reliability positioned him as a foundational piece and eventual franchise cornerstone for Memphis, anchoring the backcourt during the rebuild and setting the stage for future success.[21]Defensive recognition and playoff success with Memphis (2010–2014)
During the 2010–11 season, Conley averaged 13.7 points and 6.5 assists per game in 81 appearances for the Grizzlies, helping the team secure their first playoff berth since 2006 as the eighth seed in the Western Conference.[19] In the postseason, he elevated his production to 15.2 points and 6.4 assists across 13 games, contributing to a stunning first-round upset over the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs in six games before the Grizzlies fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the conference semifinals.[22] This run marked the beginning of Memphis's "Grit and Grind" era, where Conley's steady ball-handling—evidenced by just 2.2 turnovers per game in the regular season—proved crucial in orchestrating the team's defensive-minded offense.[19] Conley's defensive prowess reached its peak in the 2012–13 season, when he earned his first and only NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection after averaging 14.6 points, 6.1 assists, and 2.1 steals per game while limiting opponents to below-average shooting efficiency on drives.[23][19] His selection highlighted his role as a disruptive perimeter defender, often tasked with guarding the opponent's top point guard, and complemented the Grizzlies' league-leading defensive rating that year. In the playoffs, Conley averaged 17.0 points and 7.1 assists over 15 games, guiding Memphis to the Western Conference Finals with victories over the Los Angeles Clippers (4–2) and Oklahoma City Thunder (4–1) before a sweep by the Spurs.[22] His efficient playmaking, with turnovers held to 2.4 per game in the regular season, solidified his reputation as an elite floor general capable of thriving in high-stakes postseason environments.[19] The 2011–12 and 2013–14 seasons further showcased Conley's consistency, as he posted 6.5 assists per game in 2011–12 and 6.0 in 2013–14, with turnover rates of 2.0 and 2.1 per game, respectively, enabling the Grizzlies to make three consecutive playoff appearances.[19] In 2011–12, he averaged 14.1 points and 7.1 assists in the playoffs en route to a first-round loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, while in 2013–14, his career-high 17.2 points and 6.0 assists per game in the regular season led to a first-round loss to the Thunder (3–4) despite another strong showing of 15.9 points and 7.9 assists over seven games.[22][19] These efforts underscored Conley's growth into a reliable leader during Memphis's most successful playoff stretch to date.Sustained performance and playoff challenges with Memphis (2014–2019)
Following his established role as a defensive anchor, Conley continued to demonstrate reliability as the Grizzlies' starting point guard during the 2014–15 season, averaging 15.8 points and 5.4 assists per game across 70 appearances despite the team's injury challenges.[19] This consistency carried into subsequent years, where injuries occasionally limited his play but did not diminish his impact; in 2015–16, he posted 15.3 points and 6.1 assists in 56 games.[19] His production elevated significantly in 2016–17, averaging a then-career-high 20.5 points and 6.3 assists over 69 games, underscoring his evolution into a primary offensive option.[19] In recognition of his sustained contributions, Conley signed a five-year, $153 million contract extension with the Grizzlies on July 14, 2016, the richest deal in NBA history at the time.[24] He maintained high-level output post-extension, though a heel injury restricted him to just 12 games in 2017–18 with averages of 17.1 points and 4.1 assists.[19] Conley rebounded strongly in 2018–19, achieving career bests of 21.1 points and 6.4 assists per game in 70 outings, highlighting his enduring scoring and playmaking prowess amid roster transitions.[19] Over this period, he logged multiple seasons exceeding 19 points and 5 assists per game, solidifying his status as a franchise cornerstone.[19] Despite Conley's individual steadiness, the Grizzlies faced persistent playoff hurdles from 2014 to 2019, often exiting early due to tough matchups and internal inconsistencies. In 2014, as the seventh seed, they fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder 3–4 in the first round.[25] The 2016 postseason brought a sweep by the Golden State Warriors in the first round (0–4) as the eighth seed, while 2017 saw another first-round defeat to the San Antonio Spurs (2–4).[25] These repeated early eliminations, including a second-round loss to the Warriors in 2015 after advancing past Portland, marked a stretch of frustration for the team despite Conley's leadership.[25] Conley's longevity with Memphis culminated in a historic milestone during the 2018–19 season, when he surpassed Marc Gasol to become the Grizzlies' all-time leading scorer on March 27, 2019, with his 11,687th point in a game against the Warriors.[26] By the end of his tenure, Conley had amassed 11,733 points for the franchise, a testament to his 12-year commitment despite the playoff setbacks.[19]Transition and All-Star breakthrough with Utah Jazz (2019–2023)
On July 6, 2019, the Utah Jazz acquired Mike Conley from the Memphis Grizzlies in a multi-player trade that sent Grayson Allen, Jae Crowder, Kyle Korver, the draft rights to Darius Bazley (the No. 23 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft), and a 2020 first-round pick (top-6 protected) to Memphis.[27] This move paired Conley with Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, aiming to bolster the Jazz's backcourt leadership and push toward deeper playoff runs after consistent regular-season success. In his debut season with Utah (2019–20), Conley appeared in 47 games, averaging 14.4 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 37.5% from three-point range, though hamstring injuries limited him to 41 starts.[1] During the NBA's COVID-19 hiatus, Conley showcased his shooting prowess by winning the inaugural NBA H-O-R-S-E Challenge on April 16, 2020, defeating Zach LaVine in the final round after outlasting competitors like Tamika Catchings and Chris Paul.[28] Conley's tenure reached a milestone in the 2020–21 season, where he started all 51 games he played, posting career highs of 16.2 points and 6.0 assists per game alongside 3.5 rebounds and a 41.2% three-point shooting rate, helping the Jazz secure the Western Conference's No. 1 seed with a franchise-record 52 wins.[1] His efficient play and veteran poise earned him his first NBA All-Star selection on March 5, 2021, as a replacement for injured Devin Booker, marking a breakthrough after 13 seasons without the honor.[29] In the playoffs, Utah swept the Grizzlies 4–0 in the first round, with Conley averaging 21.0 points and 7.0 assists, including a 20-point, 15-assist performance in Game 2—his first playoff double-double.[1] However, the Jazz fell to the Clippers in the Western Conference Semifinals 2–4, where Conley contributed 15.3 points and 7.7 assists across six games despite the series loss.[30] The following year (2021–22), Conley maintained steady production in 72 starts, averaging 13.7 points and 5.3 assists while ranking 20th league-wide in three-point percentage at 40.8%, supporting Utah's 49-win campaign and No. 5 seed.[1] In the playoffs, the Jazz pushed the Mavericks to six games in the first round before a 2–4 defeat, with Conley averaging 15.5 points and 6.0 assists in the series.[31] Through these seasons, Conley's integration elevated the Jazz's competitiveness, blending his defensive instincts and playmaking with the team's young core to reach the playoffs three straight years and secure his status as a key facilitator in a contending roster.Veteran leadership with Minnesota Timberwolves (2023–present)
On February 9, 2023, the Minnesota Timberwolves acquired Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker from the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade also involving the Los Angeles Lakers. The Jazz received Jordan McLaughlin, Jarred Vanderbilt, and a top-14 protected 2025 first-round pick from Minnesota, while the Lakers received D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarrett Culver from Minnesota. The Lakers also sent Russell Westbrook to Minnesota, who was subsequently waived.[32] This move brought Conley to Minnesota as a steadying veteran presence at point guard, leveraging his experience to mentor younger players like Anthony Edwards.[33] In the 2023–24 season, Conley appeared in 76 games for the Timberwolves, averaging 11.4 points and 5.9 assists per game while shooting 44.2 percent from three-point range.[19] His leadership extended beyond the court, earning him the NBA's Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award for the second time in his career, recognizing his unselfish play and positive influence on teammates.[34] Bolstered by Conley's poise, the Timberwolves advanced to the Western Conference Finals in the 2024 playoffs, defeating the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets before falling 4–1 to the Dallas Mavericks.[35] On February 19, 2024, Conley agreed to a two-year, $21 million contract extension with Minnesota, securing his role through the 2025–26 season.[33] Transitioning to a more reserve capacity in the 2024–25 season, he played in 71 games, averaging 8.2 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.6 rebounds in 24.7 minutes per game.[19] Conley's veteran guidance continued to stabilize the backcourt, drawing on his prior All-Star tenure to foster team chemistry amid roster changes. In the 2024–25 playoffs, the Timberwolves [did not advance past the first round, losing to the Lakers 2–4].[36]Career statistics and records
NBA regular season
Mike Conley Jr. has enjoyed a distinguished NBA regular-season career spanning 19 seasons as of November 2025, establishing himself as one of the league's most consistent point guards with exceptional longevity and efficiency. Over 1,186 games played, he has averaged 14.0 points, 5.6 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game, while logging 31.0 minutes per contest. These figures reflect his role as a steady floor general, prioritizing ball security and team facilitation over individual scoring dominance.[19][37] Conley's statistical progression showcases steady growth from his rookie year through his prime, followed by a veteran phase emphasizing efficiency amid reduced minutes. In his debut 2007–08 season with the Memphis Grizzlies, he averaged 9.4 points and 4.2 assists in 53 games, building a foundation as a reliable distributor. By 2009–10, his scoring rose to 12.0 points and assists to 5.3 per game across 80 appearances, marking his emergence as a full-time starter. His early career highlights included a breakout 2013–14 campaign with 17.2 points and 6.0 assists in 73 games, followed by 15.8 points and 5.4 assists in 2014–15. Injuries limited him to 56 games in 2015–16 (15.3 points, 6.1 assists), but he rebounded strongly in 2016–17 with career-high 20.5 points and 6.3 assists over 69 games.[19] Conley's peak scoring years came in 2017–18 and 2018–19, despite health setbacks; he posted 17.1 points in just 12 games in 2017–18 before an injury, then exploded for 21.1 points and 6.4 assists in 70 games during 2018–19, his highest scoring average to date. After joining the Utah Jazz in 2019, his production stabilized at efficient levels: 14.4 points and 4.4 assists in 47 games (2019–20), 16.2 points and 6.0 assists in 51 games (2020–21), and 13.7 points with 5.3 assists in 72 games (2021–22). In 2022–23, split between Utah and Minnesota, he averaged 11.9 points and a career-best 6.7 assists across 67 games. His 2023–24 season with the Timberwolves saw 11.4 points, 5.9 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 76 games, while in 2024–25, he contributed 8.2 points and 4.5 assists in 71 games. As of November 18, 2025, in the ongoing 2025–26 season with Minnesota, Conley has appeared in 12 games, averaging 6.1 points and 3.5 assists in 20.1 minutes.[19] Advanced metrics underscore Conley's value beyond box-score basics, with a career player efficiency rating (PER) of 17.1 and an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.07, highlighting his elite decision-making and low-error playstyle. His PER peaked at 22.5 in 2016–17 and 20.9 in 2018–19, reflecting scoring efficiency during high-output years, while it hovered between 15.9 and 17.8 in recent seasons like 2022–23 and 2023–24, demonstrating sustained impact in a reduced role. The assist-to-turnover ratio reached highs of 4.40 in 2023–24 and 4.37 in 2022–23, exemplifying his veteran poise.[19] A notable milestone in Conley's career occurred on April 7, 2017, when he surpassed 10,000 career points during a Grizzlies win over the New York Knicks, becoming the seventh former Ohio State Buckeye to achieve the feat. By November 2025, his career point total stands at 16,556, further cementing his status as a durable, high-impact guard.[38][37]NBA playoffs
Conley has participated in the NBA playoffs across 12 seasons, appearing in 108 games and establishing himself as a reliable postseason performer with career averages of 13.8 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game.[39] His playoff tenure reflects a mix of challenges and breakthroughs, marked by consistent facilitation and scoring in high-stakes environments, often elevating his efficiency under pressure compared to the regular season.[19] With the Memphis Grizzlies, Conley endured several first-round exits, including losses to the San Antonio Spurs in 2008, the Phoenix Suns in 2010, the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2014, the Golden State Warriors in 2015 and 2017, and the Spurs again in 2016, highlighting the competitive depth of the Western Conference during that era.[22] A notable exception was the 2013 postseason, where he delivered a standout performance, averaging 17.0 points and 7.1 assists over 15 games, including a strong showing in the Western Conference Semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder that propelled Memphis to the Conference Finals.[40] In that series against the Spurs, Conley averaged 15.3 points and 5.8 assists across four games, contributing to the Grizzlies' gritty defensive identity despite the eventual defeat.[41] After joining the Utah Jazz, Conley's playoff appearances were limited by injuries and team seeding, resulting in first-round losses to the Denver Nuggets in 2020 and the [Los Angeles Clippers](/page/Los Angeles_Clippers) in 2021, though he posted efficient outings like 19.8 points per game in the 2020 bubble series. His transition to the Minnesota Timberwolves brought renewed postseason success, culminating in a deep 2024 run to the Western Conference Finals, where he averaged 11.6 points and 5.7 assists in 15 games, providing veteran stability alongside Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns amid the team's upset victories over the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets.[22] This marked one of Conley's deepest playoff advances, underscoring his enduring impact in elevating team play during extended series. Over his playoff career, Conley has amassed 657 assists, crossing the 500-assist threshold and ranking him among active point guards for longevity in postseason distribution.[22] His contributions have been particularly vital in transition and pick-and-roll scenarios, where his low-turnover style—averaging just 2.1 turnovers per game—has helped sustain offensive flow in grueling playoff matchups.[39]College statistics
As a freshman at Ohio State University during the 2006–07 season, Mike Conley Jr. played in all 39 games, starting each one, and averaged 31.6 minutes per game.[13] His per-game averages included 11.3 points, 6.1 assists (leading the Big Ten Conference), 3.4 rebounds, and 2.2 steals, while shooting 51.8% from the field and 30.4% from three-point range.[13][1]| Season | School | Conf | G | GS | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-07 | Ohio State | Big Ten | 39 | 39 | 31.6 | 4.1 | 7.9 | .518 | 0.5 | 1.8 | .304 | 2.6 | 3.7 | .694 | 0.7 | 2.7 | 3.4 | 6.1 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 11.3 |