Jordan Farmar emerged as a prominent point guard in Los Angeles, eventually securing two NBA championships during his tenure with the Lakers. Born on November 30, 1986, his athletic trajectory was defined by early success at Taft High School and a collegiate tenure at UCLA that preceded his entry into professional basketball in the 2006 draft.
Formative Years and High School Success
Raised in Los Angeles, Farmar began playing basketball at age four. He attended several institutions, including Birmingham High School and Portola Middle School, before moving to Taft High School in Woodland Hills. His high school performance was statistically dominant, featuring a 54-point single-game record and averages of 28.5 points per game as a junior. He received multiple accolades, including Los Angeles Times Player of the Year, and participated in the McDonald's High School All American game.
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At the University of California, Los Angeles, Farmar quickly established himself as an elite point guard. During the 2004–05 season, he was recognized as the Rivals.com National Freshman of the Year and the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year. He led his team in assists and free throw percentage. In 2006, he helped lead the Bruins to the National Championship game, where he served as the team's top scorer with 18 points despite a loss to the Florida Gators.
Professional NBA Career
Selected 26th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2006 NBA draft, Farmar made an immediate impact, notably recording the highest vertical leap at the pre-draft combine. In 2007, he achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first player to participate in both a D-League game and an NBA game on the same day. He contributed to the Lakers' success during the 2009 and 2010 championship seasons, operating primarily as a backup to Derek Fisher.
Fast facts
- Born: November 30, 1986, Los Angeles
- NBA Draft: 2006, 26th overall pick
- College: University of California, Los Angeles
- High School: William Howard Taft Charter High School
- NBA Championships: 2009, 2010
- Citizenship: United States, Israel
- Languages: Hebrew
Questions readers ask
Did Jordan Farmar play for teams other than the Lakers?
Yes, his professional career included stints with the Brooklyn Nets, the Los Angeles Clippers, Anadolu Efes S.K., and Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C.
What record did Farmar set in 2007?
He became the first player in history to participate in both a D-League game and an NBA game on the same day.
