Doug McDermott, the celebrated basketball player from Ames, Iowa, officially retired Friday, ending a twelve‑year tenure in the National Basketball Association. The 34‑year‑old forward, who was selected 11th overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 2014 draft, spent his career with seven different franchises, appearing in 726 regular‑season games and posting averages of 8.5 points and 2.1 rebounds per contest.
Local roots and high‑school glory
McDermott’s basketball journey began at Ames High School, where he teamed with future NBA player Harrison Barnes to capture back‑to‑back state championships in 2009 and 2010. The Little Cyclones compiled an unbeaten 53‑0 record over those two seasons, with McDermott averaging 16.8 points and 7.3 rebounds as a junior and 20.1 points and 7.8 rebounds as a senior.
College dominance at Creighton
Following high school, McDermott followed his father, Coach Greg McDermott, to Creighton University in Omaha. As a Bluejay, he led the nation in scoring during the 2015‑16 season, posting a remarkable 26.7 points per game. He earned AP All‑American honors three times and set an NCAA record by scoring in double figures for 135 consecutive games.
NBA career highlights
After being drafted by Denver, McDermott was traded on draft night to the Chicago Bulls, where he began his professional career. Over the next twelve years he also suited up for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets, San Antonio Spurs, and Indiana Pacers. His most productive season came in 2020‑21 with Indiana, when he posted a career‑high 13.6 points per game. Throughout his NBA tenure, McDermott reached double‑figure scoring in four separate seasons.
Family pride and future plans
Greg McDermott shared his pride on the social platform X, describing his son’s career as “first‑class” and expressing gratitude for the way Doug represented himself and his hometown. While McDermott has not detailed his post‑basketball plans, his deep ties to Ames and Creighton suggest he may remain involved in the local basketball community, potentially mentoring young athletes or contributing to youth programs.
Impact on the community
Doug McDermott’s retirement marks the end of a chapter for a player who consistently highlighted the values of hard work, faith, and family—principles that resonate strongly in the heartland. His achievements on the court have brought pride to Ames, Creighton, and the broader Iowa basketball family, inspiring the next generation of players to pursue excellence both on and off the hardwood.
Information from KETV was used in this article.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
