Kobe Sanders
| No. 4 – Los Angeles Clippers | |
|---|---|
| Position | Shooting guard / small forward |
| League | NBA |
| Personal information | |
| Born | May 30, 2002 Spring Valley, California, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 207 lb (94 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Christian (El Cajon, California) |
| College | |
| NBA draft | 2025: 2nd round, 50th overall pick |
| Drafted by | New York Knicks |
| Playing career | 2025–present |
| Career history | |
| 2025–present | Los Angeles Clippers |
| Career highlights | |
| |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
Kobe Michael Sanders (born May 30, 2002) an American basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Cal Poly Mustangs and Nevada Wolf Pack.
Early life and high school
Sanders attended Christian High School located in San Diego, California. During his senior season, he averaged 16.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Ultimately, Sanders committed to play college basketball for the Cal Poly Mustangs.[1]
College career
Cal Poly
During his four-year career with the Mustangs of San Luis Obispo from 2020 through 2024, Sanders appeared in 100 games with 71 starts, with a career-high of 35 points, while earning All-Big West Honorable Mention honors after averaging 19.6 points per game in his final season with the team.[2][3] In December 2023, Sanders set an all-time school record for most free throws made in a game without a miss, making all 17 of his free-throw attempts against CSUN.[4] As a senior, Sanders set Cal Poly's Division I-era single-season record for free throws made, with 174.[5] After the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, he decided to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[3]
Nevada
Sanders transferred to play for the Nevada Wolf Pack.[6] On November 22, 2024, he scored 10 points including the game-winning three in a 64-61 victory over VCU.[7] On February 22, 2025, Sanders scored 30 points; however, the Wolf Pack would fall to Boise State 70-69.[8] On February 25, 2025, he tallied 27 points in a win over Wyoming.[9] Sanders finished the 2024-25 season averaging 15.8 points, 4.5 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. He was named third-team All-Mountain West.[10] After the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, he declared for the 2025 NBA draft while also accepting an invite to participate in the 2025 NBA scouting combine.[11]
Professional career
Sanders was selected with the 50th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks, who traded his rights to the Los Angeles Clippers in a draft-night deal.[12]
References
- ^ Ho, Matthew (January 20, 2023). "Sanders' unique skills on and off floor can help Cal Poly". The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA). pp. 3B.
- ^ Murray, Chris. "Nevada basketball lands commitment from Cal Poly guard transfer Kobe Sanders". Nevada Sports Net. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ a b Krajewski, Jim. "Nevada men's basketball team adds Kobe Sanders from transfer portal". Reno Gazette Journal. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ Hildebrand, Jack (December 29, 2023). "Kobe Sanders scores 33 but Cal Poly Men's Basketball falls short to CSUN". Mustang News.
- ^ Sports Reference College Basketball: Cal Poly Mustangs MBB Leaders & Records
- ^ Stefanson, Mike. "Nevada basketball's Kobe Sanders talks joining the Wolf Pack, upbringing, hobbies and more". Nevada Sports Net. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ Murray, Chris. "Nevada's Kobe Sanders hits game-winning 3-pointer in final seconds to down VCU". Nevada Sports Net. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ Raridon, Derek. "Nevada loses last second thriller 70-69 to Boise State despite Sanders' 30-point night". Nevada Sports Net. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ Raridon, Derek. "Kobe Sanders' 27-point night helps Nevada basketball blow out Wyoming, 84-61". Nevada Sports Net. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ Murray, Chris. "Here's how Nevada basketball product Kobe Sanders fared at the Portsmouth Invitational". Nevada Sports Net. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ Murray, Chris. "Here's how Nevada basketball alum Kobe Sanders did at the NBA draft combine". Nevada Sports Net. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
- ^ Foreman, Dylan (June 27, 2025). "Former Cal Poly hooper Kobe Sanders drafted 50th overall in NBA Draft". KSBY TV.