Following the 2022 NBA Draft, Patrick Baldwin Jr. found himself in a position that many college hoopers can only dream of. As Baldwin Jr.’s name was called by Commissioner Adam Silver after being picked as the 28th overall pick, Baldwin knew he was something special! Why? He began his playing career with none other than the defending champions, the Golden State Warriors.

However, that happiness of playing alongside Steph Curry didn’t last very long for the towering forward. Just after a single season, Baldwin Jr. had to switch cities and move to the capital where he suited up for his current team the Washington Wizards. At Washington, he brings a unique level of skill set. The 6-foot-9 forward can score from all three levels and has tremendous upside to his game. With that being said, where does he get his basketball genes from? Let’s find out.

Who is Patrick Baldwin Jr.’s father Pat Baldwin?

The Wizards star, Patrick Baldwin Jr.’s journey started in Evanston, Illinois where he was born to parents Patrick and Shawn Baldwin. Baldwin Jr. was quick to pick up basketball as a sport, given he was born into a sporting family. How? You might ask. Well, his father Patrick Baldwin is a talented hooper in his own right. Baldwin Jr. gets his hooping genes from his old man who suited up for Northwestern University.

He was so skilled that The Daily Northwestern dubbed him “Man of Steal” after he made nine steals in a game against Oakland. If that wasn’t enough! Baldwin holds the school record for 90 steals in a season and also the career record at 272. He was a leader and was even named the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1994.

After being a standout college player Patrick traveled overseas to play professionally in Bosnia and Croatia before calling it quits. Furthermore, Baldwin Jr.’s dad then turned to coach and was head coach at Milwaukee and currently coaches the Valparasio’s.

While Baldwin was in Milwaukee, a school that isn’t particularly known for its basketball prowess, his son decided to join him in the program rejecting offers from Duke, Arizona State, Iowa, and others. His motivation? While his dad coaching the program was a factor, it was something big that inspired Baldwin Jr. Giannis to lead the Bucks to glory!

Yes, that is what inspired him, “Just seeing him in a small market and seeing how he changed a city like this,” Baldwin Jr. said, “is something that really influenced me to come to [Milwaukee].” Furthermore, this made him the highest-rated recruit to ever commit to a Horizon League program, making history!

Who is Patrick Baldwin Jr.’s mother Shawn Baldwin?

Well if you thought that Baldwin Jr.’s father was the only other athlete in the Baldwin family, you’d be wrong. Baldwin Jr.’s mother Shawn Baldwin is also an established athlete. It was the hardwood that became the reason for Patrick and Shawn meeting each other in the first place. Shawn also attended Northwestern and played volleyball as a middle blocker standing at 6-foot-2.

“Shawn has long arms and is extremely quick,” said her coach at the time, Jerry Angle. Soon she and Patrick started dating and this gave their friends an excuse to joke about their potential offspring. “Shawn’s brothers are pretty tall. Her grandfather was 6-5. In college, she thought I was scouting,” said Patrick.

Well, that indeed turned out to be true! Patrick and Shawn’s son stands at 6-foot-9. Moreover, the couple are also parents to three daughters as well with whom the Wizards’ forward has shared his childhood.

Overall, Duke’s head coach perfectly summed up Baldwin Jr. and his family saying he’s the “perfect recruit” due to his basketball IQ, family, work ethic, and physical attributes. The big man continues his journey on the hardwood as he aims to establish himself as a starter for the Wizards in the coming years.