Jake LaRavia: Biography, Stats, Salary, and College Career

When you’re a forward who can log minutes at both forward spots and occasionally slide into a small-ball center role, you tend to find a home somewhere in the NBA. Jake LaRavia, now 24, has already packed a college transfer, a draft-night trade, and a free-agent move to the Lakers into his career.

Height: 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) ·
Weight: 235 lbs (107 kg) ·
Position: Forward ·
Age: 24 (born November 3, 2001) ·
College: Wake Forest ·
Draft: 2022, round 1, pick 19 overall

The player’s official bio reveals several key identifiers that paint the full picture of who he is on and off the court.

What is Jake LaRavia known for?

Jake LaRavia is a professional basketball forward currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers (ESPN (sports broadcaster)). He entered the NBA as the 19th overall pick in the 2022 draft, selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves but immediately traded to the Memphis Grizzlies (NBA.com Lakers (league official)). Known for his versatility as a forward who can handle the ball, space the floor, and defend multiple positions, LaRavia made his name at Wake Forest by earning All-ACC second team honors in his debut season there (Wake Forest Athletics (NCAA Division I program)).

What are his career highlights?

In college, LaRavia averaged 14.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game in his debut season at Wake Forest (Wake Forest Athletics (NCAA Division I program)). At the NBA level, he has averaged 6.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 17.4 minutes per game, with shooting splits of 38.9% FG, 33.9% 3PT, and 82.2% FT (NBA.com (league official)). A June 2025 ESPN report confirmed he agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

What is his playing style?

• LaRavia is listed as a small forward on some rosters (CBS Sports (sports media)), but he has the strength (235 lbs) and length (6-7) to guard power forwards in smaller lineups.
• He shot nearly 34% from three-point range in the NBA, making him a credible floor spacer.
• His assist rate (3.7 per game in college) suggests he can make plays off the dribble, a trait that fits the Lakers’ need for secondary creation.

LaRavia is the kind of “3-and-D-plus” forward that modern offenses value — able to switch on defense and punish rotations with a pass or a shot. For the Lakers, he adds a cheap, adaptable option behind their core stars.

What is Jake LaRavia’s salary?

LaRavia’s current salary with the Los Angeles Lakers is approximately $6 million per year, as part of a two-year, $12 million contract reported by both ESPN (sports broadcaster) and Bleacher Report (sports media) in June 2025. This deal came after he completed his rookie scale contract, which was a standard four-year rookie deal worth roughly $8.5 million total, signed after being drafted 19th overall.

What is the length of his contract?

• The Lakers contract runs through the 2026-27 season, with a reported 2026-27 salary of $6,000,000 (SalarySwish (contract tracker)).
• He previously signed a four-year rookie scale contract after being drafted in 2022 (ESPN (sports broadcaster)).

What is his net worth?

Exact net worth figures for LaRavia are not publicly disclosed. Based on known contract earnings (approximately $11-12 million from his rookie deal and the Lakers extension) and standard NBA deductions, his estimated net worth likely falls in the $5-10 million range, but no official figure exists.

Was Jake LaRavia drafted?

Yes, he was selected in the first round (19th overall) of the 2022 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. His draft rights were immediately traded to the Memphis Grizzlies (NBA.com Lakers (league official)). The Grizzlies saw him as a versatile forward who could contribute right away.

What team drafted him?

The Timberwolves made the pick, but the Grizzlies acquired him on draft night. LaRavia spent two and a half seasons with Memphis before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2025 (ESPN (sports broadcaster)).

What pick was he?

• He was the 19th pick overall in the 2022 NBA draft (NBA.com Lakers (league official)).
• He was the third forward selected in that range, behind players like Keegan Murray (4th) and Tari Eason (17th).

Being a first-round pick gave LaRavia a guaranteed rookie contract and a development runway. The Grizzlies’ decision to trade him after a few seasons suggests they needed roster flexibility, not that his talent was in question.

Where did Jake LaRavia go to college?

LaRavia began his college career at Indiana State University (2018–2020), then transferred to Wake Forest University (2020–2022) (ESPN (sports broadcaster)). He played two seasons for the Sycamores and two for the Demon Deacons.

Why did he transfer?

After two seasons at Indiana State where he developed into a solid contributor, LaRavia moved to Wake Forest to play in the ACC, a higher-profile conference with better competition and exposure. That decision paid off when he earned All-ACC second team honors in his first season with the Demon Deacons (Wake Forest Athletics (NCAA Division I program)).

What were his college stats?

• At Indiana State: He averaged roughly 11.2 points and 5.8 rebounds over two seasons.
• At Wake Forest (2021-22): 14.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.7 spg, 1.0 bpg (Wake Forest Athletics (NCAA Division I program)).

LaRavia’s numbers jumped significantly when he stepped into the ACC, showing he could compete at a high level. That performance made him a first-round lock.

How tall is Jake LaRavia?

Jake LaRavia stands 6 feet 7 inches tall (2.01 meters) and weighs 235 pounds (107 kilograms) (ESPN (sports broadcaster)).

What is his weight?

He weighed 235 lbs at the combine and maintains that playing weight. For a forward of his height, that gives him a strong base to hold ground against bigger players while still having quickness as a perimeter defender.

What is his wingspan?

• Measured at the 2022 NBA Draft Combine: 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 m).
• This length, combined with his strength, makes him effective as a defender on the perimeter and in help scenarios.

At 6-7 with a near 7-foot wingspan and 235 pounds, LaRavia has the physique of a modern NBA wing who can defend three positions. The Lakers can use him as a switching defender who doesn’t get bullied in the post and can recover to shooters.

Timeline

What we know and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

• Height is 6 ft 7 in (ESPN (sports broadcaster))
• Weight is 235 lbs (ESPN (sports broadcaster))
• Born November 3, 2001 (ESPN (sports broadcaster))
• Drafted 19th overall in 2022 (NBA.com Lakers (league official))
• Currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers (ESPN (sports broadcaster))
• College: Wake Forest (transferred from Indiana State) (ESPN (sports broadcaster))

What’s unclear

• Exact net worth (not publicly disclosed)
• Future contract extensions beyond rookie deal
• Specific details of any injury history (limited public reports)

Quotes

“Audience of One” (Proverbs 14:23)

– Jake LaRavia, Instagram bio

LaRavia’s personal motto reflects a focus on intrinsic motivation over external validation — a mindset that likely helps him navigate the ups and downs of an NBA career.

Summary

Jake LaRavia is a versatile 24-year-old forward who has already moved from Indiana State to Wake Forest, been a first-round draft pick, and landed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. For the Lakers front office, the decision to invest in him is clear: they get a young, affordable wing with proven college production and NBA physical tools who can grow into a rotational role. If LaRavia continues to develop his three-point consistency and playmaking, he could become a key contributor. If not, the short contract minimizes risk. The next two seasons will tell whether this bet pays off.

For more on his move to Los Angeles, check out Jake LaRavias Lakers trade.

Frequently asked questions