
via Imago
Oct 28, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (13) shown on the court before the game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

via Imago
Oct 28, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (13) shown on the court before the game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
If you had to sum up Jordan Poole’s journey to the league in one word, it would be—resilience. The Washington Wizards star has spent countless hours honing his skills. Poole was a skinny kid during his teenage years and didn’t have the best build for a hooper, to say the least. But he had something much more special than his physical attributes. It was his sheer commitment to the sport. The skinny kid never flinched from going out and taking shots, even when the temperature went below the freezing point.
Poole was so devoted to making it into the NBA that he would take a shovel and clear the snow to create enough room on the court for him to practice. His crazy work ethic is what helped pave his way to the spotlight. However, he wouldn’t have been able to do this alone. There has been a lot of help from his parents, who have supported the Wizards superstar throughout his journey. So much so that he even gets his unbelievable work ethic from them as well. So, we’re going to see where it all started for Jordan Poole.
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Where is Jordan Poole from? What is the Wizards star’s nationality?
Jordan Poole’s journey started in his hometown of Milwaukee. A place he credits hugely for making him the player he is today. “It’s also a local culture. It’s where we’re from. Milwaukee. Loon (teammate and fellow Milwaukee native Kevon Looney) does the same thing. It might be 12 degrees outside on a Wednesday morning, but you still have to get up and go to work. It’s snowing outside. You’re feeling the cold. Life doesn’t stop for none of that. You got to get up and go about your day. That was my entire life.” Poole said in an interview with NBC.
Well, this hard-working attitude is paying off big time now for the Milwaukee native. Apart from this, growing up in a supportive and encouraging environment has also helped Poole along the way. Jordan Poole is the son of Monet Poole and Anthony Poole. Both of whom are American citizens just like their son. The couple has had a major impact on Jordan’s hooping success and also raised him and his two sisters well. Since his childhood days, Jordan was great at basketball, so much so that his mother Monet had zero doubts about her son making it into the league.

USA Today via Reuters
Mar 21, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (13) dribbles at the top of the key during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports.
“I always knew he was going to be here. I always knew, someway, somehow, that he was going to be here.” She stated in an interview. Sure enough. Why shouldn’t she think so? Jordan Poole started showing his true ceiling when he suited up for Rufus High School in Wisconsin. Through his stellar three-point shooting ability, Poole attracted several basketball powerhouses. He received offers from the likes of Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and a few more. However, it was Michigan’s head coach John Beilein, and assistant coach LaVall Jordan, who managed to convince him to join their program.
In 2016, Poole joined La Lumiere School for his senior year to hone his skills even further before heading to college. He did just that! While he inked a letter of intent with the Wolverines. He made a huge impact on the college’s basketball program including a game-winning buzzer-beater three against Houston.
These performances put him on notice and helped him prepare for the next step of his career. He declared for the 2019 NBA draft where, as we know, he was picked up by none other than the Golden State Warriors as the 28th overall pick. Poole hasn’t stopped since then. The boy from Milwaukee is now making waves in the league.
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Does Jordan Poole's relentless work ethic make him the most inspiring player in the NBA today?
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What is Jordan Poole’s ethnicity?
Jordan Poole didn’t just inherit a smooth jumper—he inherited an athletic pedigree and a mindset built for the grind. His parents, Anthony and Monet Poole, were athletes themselves, and they’ve played a huge role in shaping Jordan’s journey. Now an AAU coach and a UPS driver, Anthony Poole never sugarcoated things. In fact, his version of encouragement came laced with brutal honesty. In an interview with Bleacher Report, he once told his son:
“You played terrible. If you want to just be like every other kid and just have fun, that’s fine. But if you want to play in the NBA, you won’t make it playing like you did this weekend. You’d be lucky to play overseas.”
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That kind of tough love may sound harsh, but it worked. It steeled Jordan for the setbacks, the criticism, and the mental warfare that comes with life in the NBA. The bright lights, missed shots, trade rumors—none of it rattles him the way it might have without those lessons early on.
On the flip side, his mother Monet is a case manager and a social worker. She believes in working for a cause. Monet supports and provides vocational training for people with disabilities in Wisconsin City. Both Anthony and Monet have African-American roots. Hence, Jordan is also of African-American ethnicity and is proud of his rich heritage. Although there are rumors of the Wizards guard having Mexican or Latin roots, there is no proof for the same. So, it’s safe to say that he’s African-American unless Poole confirms otherwise.
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Is Jordan Poole Religious?
The Milwaukee native grew up spending his weekend mornings in church with his family. Jordan Poole’s mother and father are Christians and worship the lord. So, Jordan has had his fair share of religious experiences in his childhood. Religion is a private affair for many athletes and they like to keep that under wraps. That could be something Jordan Poole also believes in as he doesn’t talk much about his faith or posts about the same on his social media. Having said that, we can only make assumptions about the Wizards guard’s religious beliefs until he confirms or denies anything.
Overall, Poole’s story has been of hard work and resilience. The 25-year-old has seen a lot over the years but refuses to give up! He’s won a championship and now sees himself being a focal point in a rebuilding Wizards squad. So, it’s safe to say it has been a rollercoaster ride for the young guard. He now aims to make a mark in Washington and rise as a leader for them in the coming years, as everyone watches him develop closely.
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Does Jordan Poole's relentless work ethic make him the most inspiring player in the NBA today?