Andrew Christian Wiggins, born on February 23, 1995, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the NBA. A 6’7″, 197-pound small forward, Wiggins was the first overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers and has built a successful career as a scorer and versatile wing player.
Quick Facts About Andrew Wiggins
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Andrew Christian Wiggins |
| Date of Birth | February 23, 1995 |
| Age | 30 |
| Place of Birth | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Height | 6’7″ (2.01 m) |
| Weight | 197 lb (89 kg) |
| Position | Small forward |
| High School | Vaughan Secondary School, Huntington Prep |
| College | Kansas Jayhawks (2013–2014) |
| NBA Draft | 2014, 1st overall pick (Cleveland Cavaliers) |
| Current Team | Miami Heat (2025–present) |
| Previous Teams | Minnesota Timberwolves (2014–2020), Golden State Warriors (2020–2025) |
| Major Achievements | NBA champion (2022), NBA All-Star (2022), NBA Rookie of the Year (2015) |
Early Life and Family Background
Andrew Wiggins was born to Mitchell Wiggins, a former NBA player from the U.S., and Marita Payne-Wiggins, a Canadian Olympic sprinter originally from Barbados. Wiggins began playing organized basketball at age nine in Toronto. By age 14, he had grown to 6’6″ and famously shattered a glass backboard during a dunk.
He attended Vaughan Secondary School for his first two high school years, leading the team to a 44–1 record and Ontario provincial championship. Wiggins later transferred to Huntington Prep School in West Virginia, where he cemented his status as a top high school prospect.
College Career
Wiggins played one season at Kansas (2013–2014). During his freshman year, he averaged 17.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Notable performances included a 41-point game against West Virginia, the most by a Big 12 freshman since 2008. He was named a Consensus Second-Team All-American and a semifinalist for the Naismith College Player of the Year.
NBA Career
Minnesota Timberwolves (2014–2020)
- Drafted 1st overall by the Cavaliers, then traded to the Timberwolves before playing a game.
- Rookie of the Year (2015) after a strong debut season.
- Career-high 47 points in 2016, becoming the first Canadian-born player to score 40+ points in an NBA game.
- Achieved first triple-double in 2020 (18 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists).
Golden State Warriors (2020–2025)
- Traded to the Warriors in February 2020.
- 2021–2022: First All-Star selection, won NBA championship, and became a key defensive contributor, especially guarding Jayson Tatum in the Finals.
- Signed a four-year, $109 million contract extension in 2022.
- Reached a milestone as the first Canadian NBA player to make 1,000 career three-pointers in 2024.
Miami Heat (2025–present)
- Traded to the Heat in February 2025.
- Scored 42 points on March 23, 2025, marking the second-highest scoring game of his career.
National Team Career
- Represented Canada in youth tournaments, winning bronze medals at the 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship and 2012 FIBA Americas U18 Championship.
- Senior team appearances include the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship (bronze medal, All-Tournament Team) and the 2020 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Personal Life and Legacy
Andrew Wiggins is widely regarded as one of Canada’s premier basketball talents. He has shown scoring ability, defensive versatility, and leadership throughout his career. His journey from Toronto to NBA champion has inspired young Canadian athletes and solidified his place in NBA history.
