Alfonzo McKinnie (born September 17, 1992) is an American professional basketball player who last played for Busan KCC Egis of the Basketball Champions League Asia. He played college basketball for Eastern Illinois University and University of Wisconsin–Green Bay.
McKinnie grew up on Chicago's West Side.[1] Growing up just in East Garfield Park only about 15 minutes from the United Center, he describes himself as an enthusiastic supporter of the Chicago Bulls in youth.[1] McKinnie played his first two years of high school basketball at Chicago's Curie Metropolitan High School.[2] He played his final high school season as a starter at Marshall Metropolitan High School, during which he earned All-Red West Conference honors averaging 11.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.[2]
McKinnie was not a big scorer and lightly recruited during his one year at Marshall HS. He got a chance to play at Eastern Illinois. As a sophomore he averaged 10.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.[3] After his second year, he transferred to Wisconsin-Green Bay, where he tore his meniscus at the end of his redshirt season. Later, he tore his meniscus again and had it removed.[4] He finished his college career averaging 7.1 points and 5.1 rebounds in 96 games.[3]
After going undrafted in the 2015 NBA draft, McKinnie started his career with the East Side Pirates[5] in Luxembourg's semi-professional second division, where he became the go-to scorer, averaging 26 points per game.[6]
On May 21, 2016, he signed with the Mexican team Rayos de Hermosillo.[7] An old friend, former North Dakota forward Emmanuel Little, suggested he join the CIBACOPA. McKinnie became a strong player on the squad. He helped lead the Rayos to the regular-season title and the final series before falling four games to two against the Náuticos de Mazatlán.[8]
In September 2016, McKinnie paid 175 dollars for a tryout with the Windy City Bulls of the NBA G League.[6] On October 30, 2016, he made Bulls’ G-League roster.[9] He played well for the Bulls in 2016.[10]
On July 9, 2017, McKinnie signed with the Toronto Raptors.[11] He made his NBA debut on October 19, 2017, playing in a single minute in their 117–100 win over the Chicago Bulls. During his rookie season, he received multiple assignments to Raptors 905, Toronto's NBA G League affiliate.[12] On July 17, 2018, the Raptors waived McKinnie.[13]
McKinnie signed with the Golden State Warriors for the 2018–19 season. He ultimately earned a spot on the team’s opening night roster.[14] He recorded his career first double-double (19 points, 10 rebounds, both career highs) in 27 minutes off the bench on October 29 against the Chicago Bulls.[15] McKinnie averaged 4.7 points a game for the season while playing 72 games. The Warriors advanced to the 2019 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Toronto Raptors in six games. On October 18, 2019, the Warriors waived McKinnie.[16]
On October 21, 2019, the Cleveland Cavaliers claimed McKinnie off waivers.[17] On January 6, 2020, he was waived by the Cavaliers.[18] On January 9, the Cavaliers signed him to a 10-day contract.[19] On January 23, McKinnie was re-signed to a second 10-day contract.[20] On February 8, 2020, the Cleveland Cavaliers announced that they had signed McKinnie to a multi-year contract.[21]
On November 22, 2020, McKinnie, along with Jordan Bell, was traded to the Lakers in exchange for JaVale McGee.[22] On August 4, 2021, he was waived by the Lakers.[23]
On October 25, 2021, McKinnie signed with the Mexico City Capitanes of the NBA G League.[24] In 10 games, he averaged 24.1 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists.[25]
On December 10, 2021, McKinnie signed a 10-day contract with his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls, due to numerous players on the team testing positive for COVID-19.[25] On December 20, he signed a second 10-day contract.[26] McKinnie described the move to the Chicago Bulls as "the biggest dream coming true".[27] On December 26, McKinnie was signed for the rest of the season.[28] On February 19, 2022, he was waived.[29]
On November 4, 2022, McKinnie was named to the opening night roster for the Mexico City Capitanes.[30]
On September 21, 2023, McKinnie signed with Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari of the Lega Basket Serie A.[31]
In June 2024, McKinnie joined to Busan KCC Egis for 2024 Basketball Champions League Asia.[32][33]
On July 29, 2024, McKinnie signed with the Kobe Storks of the B.League.[34] On August 23, 2024, his contract was terminated due to medical examination.[35]
Source:[36]
He is the son of Elisa Bryant and Alfonzo McKinnie, Sr.[2] In 2018, during his first stop in Chicago with the Warriors, he signed papers to buy his mother a house, and introduced his parents at the Warriors team dinner after he helped Golden State blow out the Bulls.
He was previously engaged to Johanna Leia.
