Zach LaVine is one of the most exciting and talented players in the NBA today. He is a two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion, a two-time All-Star, and a gold medalist with the U.S. Olympic team. But who are the people behind his success? Who are Zach LaVine’s parents?
Paul LaVine: The Football Player
Zach LaVine’s father is Paul LaVine, a former professional football player who played in the USFL and the NFL. Paul LaVine was born in Seattle, Washington, and attended the University of Utah, where he played as a linebacker. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1983 NFL Draft, but he never played for them. He instead joined the USFL, a rival league that lasted from 1983 to 1985. He played for the Portland Breakers for two seasons, recording 125 tackles and four sacks.
Paul LaVine later returned to the NFL, signing with the Seattle Seahawks in 1987. He played in three games for his hometown team, but he suffered a career-ending knee injury. He retired from football and became a personal trainer and a motivational speaker. He also coached his son Zach in basketball, teaching him the fundamentals and the work ethic that would help him reach the NBA.
CJ LaVine: The Softball Player
Zach LaVine’s mother is CJ LaVine, a former softball player who also has a passion for basketball. CJ LaVine was born in Martinique, a French island in the Caribbean, and moved to the U.S. when she was young. She grew up in an athletic family, with two brothers who played basketball and football. She played softball in high school and college, and she also loved watching basketball, especially Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
CJ LaVine met Paul LaVine in the 1980s, and they got married soon after. They have four children: Linda, Chandi, Zach, and Camryn. CJ LaVine supported her children’s interests and talents, and she was especially proud of Zach’s basketball skills. She often attended his games and cheered him on, and she also helped him with his academics and his personal life. She is a devoted mother and a loyal fan of her son.
Zach LaVine: The Basketball Player
Zach LaVine was born on March 10, 1995, in Renton, Washington. He inherited his parents’ athletic genes and their love for sports. He started playing basketball at a young age, inspired by Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. He also played football and baseball, but he focused on basketball as he grew older. He attended Bothell High School, where he played as a point guard and a shooting guard. He averaged 28.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game as a senior, and he was named the Washington Mr. Basketball and the state player of the year.
Zach LaVine then went to UCLA, where he played for one season. He averaged 9.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, and he was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. He decided to enter the 2014 NBA Draft, where he was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 13th overall pick. He made an immediate impact in the league, winning the Slam Dunk Contest twice and earning a spot on the All-Rookie Second Team. He also improved his scoring, passing, and shooting skills, becoming one of the best guards in the NBA.
In 2017, Zach LaVine was traded to the Chicago Bulls, the team he grew up watching. He continued to showcase his talent and potential, becoming the leader and the star of the Bulls. He averaged a career-high 27.4 points, 5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game in the 2020–21 season, and he was named an All-Star for the first time. He also represented the U.S. in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he won a gold medal with his teammates.
Zach LaVine’s parents are the source of his inspiration and motivation. They are the athletes who raised an NBA star. They are Paul LaVine and CJ LaVine, and they are very proud of their son.
