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Patrick Connaughton, of Arlington, Massachusetts, has become a multifaceted athlete since attending St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers, where his athletic prowess was first on display. At this school, he excelled in three sports – football, baseball and basketball – demonstrating his versatility and competitive spirit. Boston College, UVA and UNC at Chapel Hill all offered extended scholarships that showcased Connaughton’s baseball abilities.
But Connaughton’s trajectory changed dramatically during his senior year. While he initially only received an offer from Bentley University – an NCAA Division II school – his fortunes changed dramatically after an extraordinary week at the Amateur Athletic Union National Tournament in Orlando, Florida. Connaughton made headlines after scoring 33 points and grabbing 20 rebounds in one game at this tournament; leading major basketball programs only to give him multiple offers for both basketball and baseball – ultimately choosing Notre Dame over other prestigious institutions.
Collegiate excellence at Notre-Dame
At Notre Dame, Connaughton excelled at basketball and baseball as a freshman. From the moment he arrived on campus, he made an immediate impact on the game of basketball; playing all 34 games averaging 7.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game; even after falling in the second round of the 2012 NCAA Division I men’s tournament to Xavier University, his performance demonstrated his potential. After moving to baseball as a relief pitcher, he further demonstrated his dual-sport abilities.
Connaughton excelled as both an athlete and student during his sophomore year, averaging 8.9 points per game in basketball while recording a 1.71 ERA in baseball (the stint of summer with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League demonstrated it again). However, during his junior year, Connaughton saw his basketball average increase to 13.8 points per game while baseball allowed him to produce a 3.92 ERA over 10 starts – even after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles for his baseball performance; instead, he returned home for the senior basketball season at Notre Dame to complete his educational and athletic commitments before signing with the Baltimore Orioles to fulfill his academic and athletic commitments!
Connaughton was instrumental in leading the Notre Dame basketball team to its inaugural Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship during his senior year, while simultaneously maintaining his academics and sports. His efforts paid off as he graduated with honors from the Mendoza College of Business.
Professional baseball and NBA career
Connaughton began his professional baseball journey with the Aberdeen IronBirds of the Class A-Short Season New York-Penn League. Here his impressive 96 mph fastball was on display, but as his pursuit of an NBA career intensified, he eventually left to focus on basketball rather than baseball. The Baltimore Orioles retained his baseball contract rights through 2020, allowing Connaughton the flexibility to potentially return to baseball later.
Connaughton was selected with the 41st overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Brooklyn Nets before subsequently being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers and making his debut against the Phoenix Suns on October 30, 2015 with five points scored in his first rookie game on that date. While with the Trail Blazers, he had some notable performances, such as scoring 24 points against the Phoenix Suns in the 2017-18 season opener – a feat that is difficult to replicate in any league.
Championship success with the Milwaukee Bucks
Connaughton signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in August 2018 to begin a new chapter in his NBA career, where he would feature prominently. Connaughton excelled athletically in the 2020 NBA All-Star Game Slam Dunk Contest (where he finished third). Connaughton proved vital to their success in the 2021 NBA Finals averaging 9.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while shooting 44.1% from three-point range; their victory against the Phoenix Suns gave Connaughton its first NBA championship victory!
Connaughton continued their strong performance in subsequent seasons. On November 10, 2021 – while playing against the New York Knicks – he scored 23 points with seven three-pointers, setting a season high. After surgery on his right hand in February 2022, Connaughton still managed 20 points in an important playoff victory over the Chicago Bulls before electing his $5.7 million player option and signing a three-year contract extension worth $28.5 million in June.
Connaughton’s journey from high school star to key member of the Milwaukee Bucks exemplifies dedication, versatility and resilience. His success in various sports as well as his academic accolades show how far his athletic career has progressed. As Connaughton continues his efforts in the NBA, his story serves as an inspiring tale that shows the value of perseverance and hard work for aspiring athletes everywhere.
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