Justin Minaya, born on March 26, 1999, is a Dominican-American professional basketball player currently signed to the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA.
He plays under a two-way contract with their G League affiliate, Rip City Remix.
Minaya grew up in Harrington Park, New Jersey, and was an unranked recruit coming out of high school.
He joined South Carolina in 2017 but faced significant adversity due to a severe knee injury that limited him to just five games during the 2018-19 season.
After transferring to Providence, he averaged 6.5 points per game in the 2021-22 season and played a role in helping the team win the Big East regular season championship.
After going undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft, Minaya participated in the Summer League with the Charlotte Hornets and later signed with the Mexico City Capitanes in the G League.
In addition to his professional career, Minaya has represented the Dominican Republic at various international competitions, including the FIBA Under-17 World Championship in 2016.
Siblings
Justin has one sibling, a brother named Teddy Minaya. They are the sons of Omar Minaya, a notable baseball executive, and his late wife, Rachel.
The Minaya family has faced challenges, including the recent loss of Rachel in July 2024.
Justin has spoken positively about his family’s influence on his life and career, particularly highlighting the support from his father throughout his basketball journey.
Career
Minaya began his college basketball career at the University of South Carolina, where he played from 2017 to 2021.
Despite being an unranked recruit out of high school, he received multiple offers before committing to South Carolina.
His time there was marked by significant challenges, including a severe knee injury that limited him to just five games during the 2018-19 season and a thumb surgery in 2020.
Over his four years with the Gamecocks, he averaged 7.3 points per game across 111 appearances, contributing to the team under head coach Frank Martin.
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After graduating from South Carolina, Minaya transferred to Providence College for his final season.
In the 2021-22 season, he averaged 6.5 points per game and started in 25 of the 32 games he played.
His performance helped Providence win the Big East regular season championship and reach the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament.
Following his college career, Minaya went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft but joined the Charlotte Hornets for the Summer League.
He then signed with the Mexico City Capitanes in the G League before making his NBA debut with the Portland Trail Blazers on April 4, 2023.
Since then, he has continued to develop as a player, signing a two-way contract with the Trail Blazers and their G League affiliate, Rip City Remix, as of October 2023.
Accolades
Minaya has achieved several notable accolades throughout his college and early professional basketball career.
During his time at the University of South Carolina, he played a key role for the Gamecocks, particularly in his freshman year (2017-18), where he started in 30 games and averaged 7.9 points per game.
His contributions were crucial to the team’s success, and he quickly established himself as a dependable player.
Despite facing setbacks due to injuries during his time at South Carolina, Minaya remained a vital part of the program.
In his senior year at Providence College (2021-22), Minaya showcased his defensive prowess and overall versatility.
He was instrumental in helping the Friars secure the Big East regular season championship, a significant milestone for the program.
He averaged 6.5 points per game and was praised for his ability to guard multiple positions, which became a hallmark of his game.
His efforts also helped Providence reach the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament, further cementing his reputation as a valuable team player.
On the professional stage, Minaya’s career is still developing, but he has already made strides.
After going undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft, he worked his way into the NBA through the G League and eventually made his debut with the Portland Trail Blazers on April 4, 2023.
Signing two-way contracts with the Trail Blazers reflects the organization’s belief in his potential as a versatile forward.
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