Ochai Agbaji is a rising star in the NBA, known for his impressive skills on the court and his journey from college basketball to the professional league. He plays as a shooting guard for the Toronto Raptors. This article explores his personal life, career highlights, financial details, and more.
Ochai Agbaji’s Biography
| Full Name | Ochai Young Agbaji |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 20, 2000 |
| Age | 24 |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Weight | 215 lbs (98 kg) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | University of Kansas |
| Turned Pro | 2022 |
| Net Worth | $6 million |
| Salary | $4.31 million |
| Wife/Girlfriend | Engaged to Avery Brandmeyer |
| @ochaiagbaji | |
| @youngoch |
Early Career
Ochai Agbaji’s journey began in Kansas City, Missouri, where he attended Oak Park High School. Initially a multi-sport athlete playing soccer and basketball, he decided to focus solely on basketball during his sophomore year. His senior year at Oak Park was nothing short of phenomenal—he averaged 27.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while leading his team to a stellar 23-3 record.
Despite his high school success, Agbaji was considered a three-star recruit by scouting services. This underestimation fueled his determination to prove himself at the collegiate level. He joined the University of Kansas in 2018 and initially redshirted his freshman season. However, circumstances changed when injuries left Kansas short-handed, prompting him to make an immediate impact.
During his freshman season at Kansas, Agbaji quickly became a key player. In one of his early games as a starter, he scored an impressive 24 points against Texas and followed it up with a double-double against Texas Tech. These performances earned him the Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Week award.
Over four years at Kansas, Agbaji’s game evolved significantly. By his senior year in 2022, he was averaging 18.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while leading the Jayhawks to an NCAA Championship victory. His outstanding performance earned him honors such as Big 12 Player of the Year and Final Four Most Outstanding Player.
Professional Career
Ochai Agbaji’s professional career began with his selection as the 14th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, before playing a single game for Cleveland, he was traded to the Utah Jazz as part of a blockbuster deal. Agbaji made his NBA debut on October 19, 2022, against the Denver Nuggets, showcasing his potential as a versatile shooting guard.
During his rookie season with the Utah Jazz, Agbaji played in 59 games, starting in 22 of them. He averaged 7.9 points per game and demonstrated his ability to score efficiently, shooting over 42% from the field. His defensive skills and three-point shooting also earned him praise from coaches and analysts alike. While he had moments of brilliance, his rookie season was largely about adapting to the pace and physicality of the NBA.
In his second year (2023–24 season), Agbaji continued to develop as a player but faced challenges in securing consistent minutes. He split time between the Utah Jazz and their G League affiliate team, where he worked on refining his skills. Despite these challenges, he remained a reliable contributor when called upon, averaging 5.8 points per game while improving his rebounding numbers to 2.8 per game.
A significant turning point in Agbaji’s career came in July 2024 when he was traded to the Toronto Raptors. The move provided him with a fresh start and more opportunities to showcase his talent.
During the ongoing 2024–25 season, Agbaji has emerged as a key player for Toronto, earning consistent starting minutes and achieving career-high averages in points and shooting efficiency. His ability to score from beyond the arc (39% three-point shooting) and defend multiple positions has made him an invaluable asset for the Raptors.
Wife
Ochai Agbaji is currently engaged to Avery Brandmeyer, as of February 2025. The couple announced their engagement in May 2024 during a romantic trip to Athens, Greece.
Avery shared the news on her Instagram account (@avery_brandmeyer4), captioning a post with “Mr. and Mrs. Agbaji coming soon,” alongside pictures of their engagement celebration. Avery is active on social media and frequently shares glimpses of their relationship, showcasing their strong bond.
The pair have been together for several years, and Avery has been a supportive presence in Ochai’s life, even accompanying him during NBA events like the Summer League in Las Vegas. Their relationship reflects mutual respect and partnership, with Avery often described as a caring figure who looks out for Ochai and his teammates.
While the couple does not have children yet, they seem to enjoy spending quality time together, whether hosting friends at their Toronto home or traveling for leisure. Their engagement marks a significant milestone in Ochai’s personal life amidst his flourishing NBA career.
Ochai Agbaji’s Net Worth Details
Ochai Agbaji’s net worth is estimated to be $6 million as of 2025.
Contract
Ochai Agbaji is currently playing under a four-year rookie-scale contract originally signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers after being drafted in 2022. The contract is valued at $18,726,365 and includes guaranteed earnings of the same amount.
Agbaji’s deal features team options for the 2024–25 and 2025–26 seasons, both of which have been exercised. For the 2024–25 season, he will earn a base salary of $4,310,280, while his salary for the 2025–26 season is set to increase to $6,383,525.
These terms provide financial stability for Agbaji while allowing the Toronto Raptors flexibility to retain him as he develops further in his career. At the conclusion of his rookie contract in 2026, he will enter restricted free agency, giving Toronto the opportunity to match any offers from other teams.
Salary
For the 2024–25 NBA season, Ochai Agbaji is earning a base salary of $4,310,280 under his rookie-scale contract. This salary represents a slight increase from the previous season and highlights his growing value as a player.
Agbaji’s salary accounts for approximately 3.07% of the team’s cap space, making him one of the more affordable yet impactful players on the Toronto Raptors roster. His earnings are fully guaranteed for this season, ensuring financial stability as he continues to develop his skills and contribute significantly to his team.
Career Earnings
| Season | Team | Base Salary | Total Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | Utah Jazz | $3,918,360 | $3,918,360 |
| 2023–24 | Utah Jazz/Toronto Raptors | $4,114,200 | $4,114,200 |
| 2024–25 | Toronto Raptors | $4,310,280 | $4,310,280 |
| Total | – | $12,342,840 | $12,342,840 |
NBA Career Stats
| Season | Team | Games Played (GP) | Games Started (GS) | Minutes per Game (MPG) | Field Goal % (FG%) | 3-Point % (3P%) | Free Throw % (FT%) | Rebounds per Game (RPG) | Assists per Game (APG) | Steals per Game (SPG) | Blocks per Game (BPG) | Points per Game (PPG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | Utah Jazz | 59 | 22 | 20.5 | .427 | .355 | .812 | 2.1 | 1.1 | .3 | .3 | 7.9 |
| 2023–24 | Utah Jazz | 51 | 10 | 19.7 | .426 | .331 | .750 | 2.5 | .9 | .5 | .6 | 5.4 |
| 2023–24 | Toronto Raptors | 27 | 18 | 23.6 | .391 | .217 | .611 | 3.3 | 1.3 | .7 | .6 | 6.7 |
| 2024–25 | Toronto Raptors* (Ongoing) | 63 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 10.4 |
| Career | Multiple Teams | 200 | 50 | 20.8 | .419 | .326 | .744 | 2.5 | 1.1 | .5 | .4 | 6.7 |
FAQs
1. Who is Ochai Agbaji?
Ochai Agbaji is an American professional basketball player born on April 20, 2000, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He plays as a shooting guard for the Toronto Raptors in the NBA. Agbaji attended Oak Park High School in Kansas City, Missouri, and later played college basketball at the University of Kansas from 2018 to 2022, winning a national championship in his senior year.
2. What are Ochai Agbaji’s career highlights?
Agbaji was named the Big 12 Player of the Year and a consensus first-team All-American in 2022. He led Kansas to an NCAA championship and earned the Final Four Most Outstanding Player award. He was drafted 14th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2022 NBA Draft but was later traded to the Utah Jazz and then to the Toronto Raptors.
3. What are Ochai Agbaji’s physical attributes?
Ochai Agbaji stands 6 feet 5 inches tall (1.96 meters) and weighs 215 pounds (98 kilograms). His wingspan measures 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 meters), providing him excellent reach for defense and rebounding.
4. What were Ochai Agbaji’s college basketball achievements?
During his time at Kansas, Agbaji improved each season, culminating in his senior year with averages of 18.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 40.7% three-point shooting. He started all games that season and played a pivotal role in Kansas’ NCAA championship victory.
5. How has Ochai Agbaji performed in the NBA?
Agbaji has played 198 career games with averages of 7.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. In the current season with Toronto Raptors, he is averaging 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and shooting over 40% from three-point range.
6. What is Ochai Agbaji’s playing style?
Agbaji is known for his two-way game as a shooting guard who excels in perimeter defense and three-point shooting. His athleticism and ability to guard multiple positions make him an ideal “3-and-D” player in the NBA.
7. What is Ochai Agbaji’s high school basketball record?
At Oak Park High School, Agbaji averaged an impressive 27.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game during his senior year. He was named Kansas City Star All-Metro Player of the Year and won several other regional awards for his performance.
8. What is Ochai Agbaji’s nationality and background?
Agbaji holds American nationality and was born to Nigerian parents, Olofu and Erica Ogbaji. He grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, where he transitioned from soccer to basketball during high school.
9. What awards has Ochai Agbaji won during his career?
In addition to his college accolades like Big 12 Player of the Year and NCAA Final Four MOP, Agbaji has been recognized as a Wooden Award finalist and Consensus All-America First Team selection for his outstanding performances at Kansas.
10. How did Ochai Agbaji transition from college to professional basketball?
Agbaji declared for the NBA Draft after his senior season at Kansas in April 2022. He was selected by Cleveland Cavaliers as the 14th overall pick but traded to Utah Jazz before playing a regular-season game for Cleveland. He debuted in October 2022 and later joined Toronto Raptors in February 2024 through another trade deal.
