From 2009 to 2012, Khris Middleton was an excellent player for Texas A&M University. According to Basketball Reference, in his time with Maroon and White, Middleton averaged around 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. With the 39th overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft, Middleton was taken by the Detroit Pistons.
After just one season with Detroit, Middleton was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks where he would have a fresh start. In his first year with the Bucks, he immediately turned into a double-digit scorer and a starter but it was his sixth season when he truly began to shine. He averaged over 20 points per game for the first time and became the second-option behind Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Middleton’s improved performance led to widespread recognition of his game. In 2019, Middleton became just the second Texas A&M basketball player to be named an NBA All-Star after averaging over 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists per game while helping lead the Bucks to the Eastern Conference Finals.
His continued excellence in 2020 led to Middleton becoming the first Texas A&M alumni to be named to multiple NBA All-Star games.
His play on the court began to transfer to team success as the Bucks clinched their first NBA Finals berth in 2021. With the stakes at the highest they’ve ever been, Middleton elevated his play and averaged 24 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game while leading the Bucks to their first NBA championship since 1971.
After this incredible championship run, Middleton was one of the players chosen to represent Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics. After this olympic run, Middleton became just the fifth player in NBA history to win an Olympic gold medal and championship in the same year.
Over his 12-year NBA career, Khris Middleton has proven to be a consistent contributor on both ends of the court. While not the flashiest, his steady performance has made him arguably the greatest Aggie to every play in the NBA.