Braxton Key is an American professional basketball player who currently plays as a forward for the San Diego Clippers in the NBA G League. Born on February 14, 1997, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Key has had a diverse basketball journey.
Early Life and Education:
- Key is the nephew of NBA legend Ralph Sampson and the son of Eric Key, who played basketball at Radford University. He began his high school career at Christ Presbyterian Academy in Nashville, Tennessee, leading the team to a state title in 2013 and earning TSSAA’s Mr. Basketball award in 2014 and 2015. He transferred to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia for his senior year, guiding the team to a national championship with a 45–1 record.
College Career:
- Key played two seasons with the Alabama Crimson Tide (2016–2018), averaging 9.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. He was named to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team in 2017. He then transferred to the University of Virginia, where he contributed to the Cavaliers’ national championship win in 2019. Over his two seasons at Virginia, he averaged 7.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
Professional Career:
- After going undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft, Key joined the Delaware Blue Coats in January 2021, the G League affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers. He signed a 10-day contract with the 76ers in January 2022 and later joined the Detroit Pistons, where he signed a two-way contract in April 2022. After a stint with the Pistons, he returned to the Delaware Blue Coats, helping them secure the NBA G League championship in 2023. Key also had brief tenures with the Vaqueros de Bayamón in Puerto Rico and the Denver Nuggets. In March 2025, he signed a two-way contract with the Golden State Warriors.
Recent Developments:
- As of March 2025, Key plays for the San Diego Clippers in the NBA G League, continuing his professional basketball career and contributing his experience and skills to the team.
Throughout his career, Braxton Key has demonstrated versatility and resilience, adapting to various teams and roles across different basketball leagues.