Denzel Valentine, an American basketball player, is a member of the Maine Celtics of the NBA G League.
Additionally, he still has the mindset of preparing to win, has good quick hands, and can set up offensive movements.
Robert Valentine was the first player in Michigan State history to receive the National Player of the Year honor, according to the Associated Press.
About Denzel Valentine | Family and Education
Denzel Valentine, a self-assured and creative person, was born on November 16, 1993.
Denzel His full birth name is Robert Valentine often spelled Denzel Valentine. He also holds American citizenship and is of African American origin.
Valentine is the younger of the two boys that Carlton and Kathy Valentine have. Former Michigan State basketball player Carlton tutored basketball players at J.W. Sexton High School in Lansing, Michigan, including his children.
There was where Valentine’s amazing basketball career began.
Also helping her son through his triumphs is Kathy Valentine, a former tutor at Lansing Public School.
Because of the determination of his father and his wife, Denzel was able to realize his dream of being a professional basketball player.
Additionally, Drew, his older brother, currently oversees Loyola University Chicago’s American collegiate basketball program.
He also took part in the Michigan-based collegiate basketball team at Oakland University.
Valentine, on the other hand, has a close bond with another NBA star Draymond Green because they are big brothers. In his opinion, he is one of his mains.
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Professional Life and Career
J.W. Sexton High School was where Valentine attended school in Lansing, Michigan. He played basketball games with future Michigan State teammate Bryn Forbes while being mentored by his father. His father, Carlton Valentine, once participated in Michigan State football.
In his second season, Valentine averaged 10.9 points, 5.8 assists, and 6.3 rebounds as he guided Sexton High School to the state championship game. In 2010, he got all-state Class B honorable mention recognition.
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He also helped to Sexton’s 27-1 record as a senior by averaging 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists each game.
He was chosen by the Associated Press as the Class B Player of the Year and the Lansing State Journal Player of the Year as a result.
Academic Career
Valentine enrolled at Michigan State University after completing his senior year of high school successfully.
As a result, he was selected for the NCAA East Regional All-Tournament Team, USBWA All-District V, and Third Team All-Big Ten teams during his junior year.
Valentine became just the fourth player in school history to record a triple-double in November 2015 while a senior at Michigan State.
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In addition, he averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game in 2015–16. He was chosen as USA Today’s National Player of the Year the following year.
Additionally, the Big Ten named Valentine their Player of the Year. Later, Valentine was a member of the Sporting News All-American team.
Because of this, he won numerous honors and awards during his senior year at Michigan State University. He received both the NABC Player of the Year Award and the College Basketball Player of the Year Award for the first time in 2012.
Professional Background
Denzel Valentine was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 14th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
In July 2016, the Chicago Bulls made him an offer on the rookie scale.
Later, he hit the pivotal jump shot to help the team overcome the Minnesota Timberwolves in overtime, 84-82, in the Las Vegas Summer League championship game.
Valentine’s performance against the Washington Wizards in January 2017 included a career-high 19 points and five three-pointers.
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Similar to this, he had a career-high 34 points and eight 3-pointers made against the Cleveland Cavaliers in March.
He suffered a bad ankle injury as a result, which made him have to sit out the entire season.
Cavaliers in Cleveland
After playing well for the Chicago Bulls for four seasons, Valentine signed a contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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He consequently signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers on September 22, 2021.
Mormon Jazz
After a brief stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Valentine was later transferred to the New York Knicks on January 3, 2022, as part of a three-team transaction that also involved the Los Angeles Lakers.
Later, he was also cut loose by the Knicks. On January 10, 2022, the Utah Jazz then presented Valentine with a 10-day contract.
Portland Celtics
The NBA G League’s Maine Celtics acquired Valentine on January 21, 2022.
Career on a national team
Valentine was a standout performer for the senior men’s national team of USA Basketball at the 2015 Pan American Games.
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In addition, the tournament took place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the Ryerson Athletic Center. The result was that the group finished the event with a 3-2 record, taking home the bronze medal.
He also participated in training with a select team of the USA Basketball Select Team in preparation for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Recognition & Achievements
- Player of the Year, AP (2016)
- First-team All-American by consensus (2016)
- Player of the Year for the NABC (2016)
- CLASS Senior Award (2016)
- Lute Olson Trophy (2016)
- Award for Julius Erving (2016)
- all-first team Big Ten (2015)
- Player of the Year for the Big Ten (2016)
- All-Big Team, third team (2015)
- Big Ten Conference MOP (2016)
- all-first team Big Ten (2016)
Medals
- 2015 Pan American Games bronze medalist
Rapper Denzel Valentine is a Dope
The shooting guard Valentine is a talented basketball player as well as a kind lyricist. In February 2021, he also released his debut album.
The CD he had written and recorded, consisting of eleven songs, was then lavishly launched on Valentine’s Day. His album, “517: Made Me,” is available to stream on YouTube.
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As a result, his voice is improved, and the songs are masterfully written with catchy lyrics.
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Relationship Status
The renowned football player had achieved history and had a long list of achievements under his belt since his high school years. His professional career has thus far been very successful.
There have been rumors that Valentine has a lovely real-life girlfriend named Alexis Akers in addition to his career.
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According to some sources, Valentine and Alexis Akers began dating around 2013. In terms of women, he has only ever been involved with Akers.
Alexis Akers also went to high school and is a Holt, Michigan native. Later on, she graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication.
But it’s been more than a year since they last shared a picture. They may have kept every detail of their private lives a secret to avoid conflict, therefore their current relationship status is unknown.
Net Worth and Salary | Denzel Valentine
The renowned basketball star is worth $24 million.
Additionally, he signed a four-year, $9,936,796 deal with the Chicago Bulls, which included a $9,936,769 guaranteed sum as well as an anticipated $2,484,192 average annual salary.
He was expecting to make $4,642,800 from the Chicago Bulls in 2020–21. He also received $3,377,568 in 2019–20.
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In addition, he received $102, 831 in salary from the Utah Jazz in 2021–2022 and $880, 509 from the New York Knicks.
In 2021–2022, he was also the 92nd highest paid forward.
Body Measurement | Tattoo, Height, Weight
The excellent shooting guard was born on November 16, 1993. Valentine was born on February 14th, making him 28 years old.
He is a player of average height as well. He is a regular man, standing around 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) tall and weighing around 220 lb (100 kg).
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Denzel also has an athletic physical build and a well-kept sense of style. His consistent height and weight hence contribute to his exceptional on-court performance.
He also has a tattoo on his left arm that hasn’t changed over the years. The tattoo, therefore, had a strong emotional connection to his family’s pride and passion, which together served as a motivation for him.
Social Media
Instagram: @denzelvalentine
Twitter: @denzelvalentine
Facebook: Denzel Valentine
Frequently Asked Question:
What were some of the main factors that motivated Valentine to take music more seriously?
Valentine’s father is her main inspiration for listening to hip-hop music. Since he was a little child, he has listened to hip-hop with his father.
They also used to listen to performers from the past, like Jay Z, 50 Cent, Biggie, and Tupac. When Valentine first began to listen on his own, Lil Wayne was the first musician he admired.
Denzel Valentine and his mum are they close?
Yes, he is close to his mother. Denzel also gave her a car and posted an Instagram picture with the caption “Dreams do come true.”
Quick Facts | Denzel Valentine
Full Name | Denzel Robert Valentine |
Birth Date | November 16, 1993 |
Birth Place | Lansing, Michigan |
Nick Name | Denzel Valentine |
Religion | Christianity |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | Afro-American |
High School | J.W. Sexton, Lansing, Michigan |
College | Michigan State |
Horoscope | Scorpio |
Father’s Name | Carlton Valentine |
Mother’s Name | Kathy Valentine |
Siblings | Drew Valentine |
Age | 28 years old |
Height | 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) |
Weight | 100 Kilogram (220 lb) |
League | NBA |
Hair Color | Black |
Eye Color | Brown |
Body Type | Athletic |
Profession | NBA Player |
Professional Career Teams |
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Draft In | 2016 / Round:1 / Pick: 14th |
Jersey No. | 7 (for Maine Celtics) |
Active Years in Basketball | 2016 – Present |
Sexual Orientation | Straight |
Marital Status | Not available |
Girlfriend | Alexis Akers |
Kids | Unknown |
Net Worth | $24 million |
Position | Shooting guard |
Social Media | Twitter, Instagram, Facebook |
Merch | Jersey |
Last Update | August, 2022 |
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