Cason Wallace

 

Cason David Wallace (born November 7, 2003) is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played one season of college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats before being selected 10th overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2023 NBA Draft and immediately traded to the Thunder. Standing 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) and weighing 195 pounds (88 kg), Wallace plays both point guard and shooting guard. He won an NBA championship with the Thunder in his second season (2025).

 

Early Life

High School Career

 

Wallace was born on November 7, 2003, in Dallas, Texas. He attended Richardson High School in Richardson, Texas, where he played alongside Rylan Griffen under coach Kevin Lawson. As a senior, Wallace averaged 19.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game, earning Texas Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year and The Dallas Morning News boys basketball Player of the Year honors. He was selected to play in both the 2022 McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic. Wallace was rated as a consensus five-star recruit and a top-five player in the 2022 class.

 

College Career

 

Wallace committed to the University of Kentucky, where he became an immediate starter as a freshman in 2022-23. He started 31 of 32 games and averaged 11.7 points, 4.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 44.6% from the field and 34.6% from three-point range. His standout performance came on December 21, 2022, when he posted 27 points, nine assists, and four steals against Florida A&M. Wallace earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors and was recognized for his elite two-way play, particularly his defensive prowess. Following his freshman season, he declared for the 2023 NBA Draft.

 

NBA Career

 

Rookie Season (2023-24)

 

Wallace was drafted 10th overall by the Dallas Mavericks on June 22, 2023, and was immediately traded to Oklahoma City along with Davis Bertans in exchange for the 12th pick, Dereck Lively II. In his rookie season, Wallace averaged 6.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 20.6 minutes per game, establishing himself as a reliable rotation player. He suffered a shoulder injury late in the season but recovered in time for the playoffs.

 

Championship Season (2024-25)

 

In his second season, Wallace took a significant leap, averaging 8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.8 steals across 68 regular-season games, including 43 starts. He appeared in every game of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, helping the Thunder defeat the Indiana Pacers in the Finals to win the franchise’s first championship since relocating from Seattle. The Thunder exercised its team options for both 2025-26 ($5.82 million) and 2026-27 ($7.42 million).

 

Sophomore Season (2025-26)

 

Wallace is going through an All-Defensive caliber season in his sophomore year. On February 2, 2026, he recorded a career-high 27 points with seven three-pointers in a 121-111 victory over Denver. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell sidelined by abdominal injuries, Wallace started at point guard on February 7, posting 23 points, four rebounds, four assists, and four steals in a loss to Houston.

 

Personal Life

 

Wallace is the cousin of 2012 NBA champion Terrell Harris and Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis, who won two Super Bowls and earned Super Bowl XXXII MVP honors.

 

References

 

External Links

* Cason Wallace on NBA.com

* Cason Wallace on Basketball-Reference.com