Dion Waiters Bio: Basketball, NBA, Family & Net Worth

Dion Waiters is an American professional basketball player. He was last seen playing for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has also played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Miami Heat.

The Cleveland Cavaliers selected him in the 2012 NBA draft, fourth overall. He played college basketball for Syracuse University.

Waitpersons dreamt of playing basketball since he was a little boy. He worked hard and was lucky enough to have received the opportunity to play in the NBA.

Today, we will discuss Dion Waiters without excluding anything significant that has ever happened in his personal and professional life. Let’s get started!

Quick Facts about Dion Waiters

Dion Waiters – Early Life and Family

Dion Waiters was born on December 10, 1991, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. He was taken to his father, Dion Waiters Sr., and his mother, Monique Brown.

Monique Brown solely raised Dion for the longest time. Her former husband, Dion Sr., was in jail when their son was born.

His grandmother’s death followed Dion’s birth. She died four hours after her grandson’s birth.

He did not have the most fortunate childhood. The only thing that has remained constant in the Waiter’s life for the longest time is basketball. He has loved playing basketball since childhood.

He played with it regardless of the weather and time. It turned out to be something of peaceful practice. Above all, it made his heart happy.

His parents parted ways with a divorce. His mother then remarried James Barnes.

Dion has a sister: Janiya. His younger brother, Demetrius Pinckney, lost his life in an unfortunate incident.

You might be interested in reading: RJ Barrett: Family, Basketball Career, Net Worth, & Wiki >>

The Family Tragedy

Demetrius Pinckney died at the age of 20. He was murdered in March 2016.

Pinckney had several injuries in the head when found by the police. There was a green dirt bike nearby. He was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania by a private car.

It was a gunshot again. America’s obsession with victimizing people of color with gunshots must stop now.

Pinckney suffered a gunshot wound in the thigh and two gunshot wounds in the buttocks. He was in a very critical condition.

The incident happened when an argument or disturbance occurred, followed by numerous dirt bike and ATV drivers chasing each other. And then, the gunshots were heard by the witnesses. The police investigated the matter as a homicide.

Dion Waiters believes that his brother had a personality and name and should not be referred to as Dion Waiter’s brother. The family called him Zique with love.

Dion loved Zique dearly. He remembers Zique as someone who loved dancing, smiling, and spreading joy. His little brother was the biggest mama’s boy in the neighborhood.

He watched his little brother grow from being a crybaby to a fan of his own. He believes the best way to keep his brother’s memory alive is to remember him for who he was.

Zique’s death taught Dion about the importance of the people we love.

He chose to honor his little brother by being the best father, best teammate, and best person he possibly can.

Dion Waiters – High School Career

Waitpersons first went to Bartram High School. He then went to South Philadelphia High School in Philadelphia. But he did not play basketball at either of these schools. It’s weird for someone who considers basketball his first love.

During the summer after his first year, waitpersons committed to Syracuse University even though he had not played a minute of high school basketball.

He went to South Kent School in his sophomore year of high school.

He then changed his school again. This time he got admitted to Life Center Academy in Burlington, New Jersey. He finally played basketball at Life Center Academy in his junior and senior high school years.

He was ranked as the 15th best overall recruit, according to ESPNU, in his senior year. Similarly, the ESPN 100 ranked him as the No. 2 best shooting.

Rivals.com was then ranked as the 29th best overall recruit.

You might also be interested in reading: Andre Iguodala Bio: Basketball, NBA, Business, & Net Worth >>

Dion Waiters – College Basketball Career

Waitpersons went to Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York. As a college freshman, he recorded 6.6 points, 1.5 assists, and 1.6 rebounds per game.

He then shot 8-for-10 with 18 points in a second-round loss to Marquette in the NCAA Tournament.

Waitpersons recorded 12.6 points, 2.5 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game on average as a college sophomore at Syracuse University.

He was then named the Big East Sixth Man of the Year. He also received third-team All-Big East honors.

Similarly, he was named AP Honorable Mention All-American. He was then picked for the All-Big East Tournament team.

Tacko Fall Bio: Basketball Career, NBA, Height, & Family>>

Dion Waiters – Professional Basketball Career

The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Dion Waiters in the 2012 NBA draft, fourth overall, even though Waiters had chosen not to work out for any teams before the draft.

He decided to play with them after they promised to draft him in the middle of the lottery if available. He played with them from 2012 to 2015.

Many scouts were surprised to see Waiters getting drafted so high, even though he did not start playing in college and played zone defense at Syracuse.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Waitpersons recorded a career-high 33 points against the Sacramento Kings on January 14, 2013. He achieved the score on 12-of-18 shooting.

He was then selected to play in the Rising Stars Challenge game during the 2013 NBA All-Star Weekend. Dion was accompanied in the game by teammates Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, and Tyler Zeller.

He then registered 23 points for Team Shaq.

He faced issues because of a sprained ankle and loose cartilage in his knee in his rookie season. In fact, the injury forced him to miss 21 games over the season.

He was then considered the fourth-best overall rookie by NBA.com after his rookie season. Servers also reached the fifth position in NBA Rookie of the Year. He was voted with 21 points.

Similarly, he was a part of the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge on February 14, 2014. He completed the game with 31 points and 7 assists.

He then registered his first double-double with 17 points and a career-high 11 assists on March 18, 2014. However, it was a loss to the Miami Heat.

He was not present for the United States national anthem on November 5, 2014. People assumed he must have stayed in the locker room because of his Muslim faith.

He later clarified that staying in the locker room and skipping the national anthem had nothing to do with his religious beliefs.  

Luguentz Dort: Basketball Career, NBA, Family, & Wiki>>

Oklahoma City Thunder (2015–2016)

The Cleveland Cavaliers traded Waiters to the Oklahoma City Thunder on January 5, 2015.

🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🔥🔥 RT @BBallr803: @dionwaiters3 #Culture pic.twitter.com/ZjfT0yBRJ0

— Philly Cheese 🧀 (@dionwaiters3) May 22, 2017

Waitpersons did not have a good start with the Oklahoma City Thunders. He scored 4 points on 1-of-9 shooting on January 7, his debut game. It was against the Sacramento Kings.

He then recorded 15 points on a 7-of-14 shooting on January 7. It helped his team to defeat the Utah Jazz. It was a 99–94 victory for the Oklahoma City Thunders.

The Oklahoma City Thunders tendered a qualifying offer to make Waiters a restricted free agent on June 27, 2016.

The team then broke their qualifying offer, letting him become an unrestricted free agent on July 18.

You might want to read: Dante Cunningham’s Bio: NBA, CBA, Controversies & Wiki.

Miami Heat (2016–2020)

Servers signed with the Miami Heat on July 26, 2016. He played his debut game for the team in their season opener on October 26. It was against the Orlando Magic.

As reported, Dion made a contract with Miami Heat worth $52 million for four years. 

He was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week on January 30, 2017.

Servers could not play in the final 13 games of the season because of an ankle injury.

He re-signed with the Miami Heat on July 7, 2017.

🎯✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/csPfaRum6z

— Philly Cheese 🧀 (@dionwaiters3) September 14, 2018

He then tied his career-high with 33 points on October 30, 2017. It was a 125–122 overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

He was again bothered by his long-problematic left ankle in January 2018. Dion was forced to sideline.

He then underwent successful surgery to get his ankle to function correctly on January 2. A preexisting navicular bone fracture was also examined and repaired simultaneously.

The Miami Heat sent Waiters down to their NBA G League affiliate team, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, on December 28, 2018. It was for a rehabilitation assignment.

He then returned to the Miami Heat on January 2, 2019. He recorded 7 points in six minutes in a 117–92 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, his former team.

This one was his first game since December 22, 2017. He was not fine then. But he had to play because a virus sidelined Dwyane Wade. 

He then recorded a team-high 15 points on January 8. It was his second game of the season. His team faced a 103–99 loss to the Denver Nuggets.

Suspension

Dion was suspended for Miami Heat’s 2019–20 season debut game on October 19, 2019. It was because he did something detrimental to the team.

He missed a game on November 8 because of a panic attack he experienced while flying to the game. The game was against the Los Angeles Lakers.

His panic attack occurred as a consequence of the over-consumption of THC-infused edibles. 

The Miami Heat then suspended him for the second time. This time, it was for the consumed edibles. He was arrested for ten games, including the previous game he missed.

Servers have suspended again on December 12. He did not attend work, saying he was ill. But he later posted a picture of himself on his Instagram account on a boat celebrating his birthday. This time, the suspension was for six games.

He debuted in the 2020 season with 14 points on January 24, 2020. It was a 122–117 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Miami Heat traded Waiters traded to the Memphis Grizzlies on February 6, 2020. It was a three-team trade also involving the Minnesota Timberwolves.

However, the Memphis Grizzlies waived him three days later.

You can watch the latest news about Walkers on the website of the NBA.

You might also want to read: Jalen McDaniels Bio: Basketball Career, Brother, Salary & Wiki.

Los Angeles Lakers (2020)

Servers signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on March 6, 2020.

He played his debut game for the Los Angeles Lakers on July 30, 2020. It was a 103–101 win against the Los Angeles Clippers. The servers recorded 11 points.

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by ✊?✊? (@waiters3)

The Los Angeles Lakers also made it to the 2020 NBA Finals. They faced Miami Heat.

Dion was entitled to an NBA championship ring. It was provided due to league rules, regardless of who won.

The Los Angeles Lakers won over the Miami Heat in 6 games to give Waiters his first championship.

Final Stats

Dion Waiters’s shout-out to Brandon Smith

After Storm’s Grand Final win over Penrith, Brandon Smith goes by the nickname “The Cheese,” copying Waiters, who also has a handle “Philly Cheese.” 

Likewise, in the clip, Smith was seen holding a beer in one hand with the NRL premiership trophy in his lap. In his best American accent, Brandon said: 

“They tried to sabotage Cheese. I’m not any Philly Cheese. I’m not any Bubble Cheese. Call me double C. I’m Champ Cheese.” 

As expected, Waiters saw the post and responded with, “This is the greatest S***.”

Dion Waiters – Net Worth

Dion has a successful basketball career. He is set to achieve more in the coming years.

Dion Waiter’s net worth is estimated to be around $2 million.

He lives a decent life with his family.

DeAndre’ Bembry Bio: Basketball Career, Family Tragedy, Contract, & Wiki>>

Dion Waiters – Girlfriend and Children

Dion Waiters is in a relationship with his long-time girlfriend, Brandy Chantel. They have three children: A son, Dion Waiters Jr., and two daughters, Dior Raina Waiters and Dream Waiters.

Their eldest child is seven already, but the couple has not tied the knot.

Dion and Brandy look ravishing together. We hope they make their thing legally official soon.

Dion Waiters – Social Media Presence

Servers are very active on his social media handles. You can follow him via these links:

Instagram: 436k Followers 

Twitter: 118.7k Followers 

Dion Waiters | FAQs

Are Dion Waiters known to have diabetes?

Due to confidential medical laws, there is no concrete proof of whether Waiters has diabetes or not. 

Did Dion Waiters diss Erik Spoelstra?

Yes, it seemed Dion decided to go to social media and diss Miami Heat’s head coach, Erik Spoelstra, after being suspended. 

What’s Dion’s Jersey number?

So far, Dion has donned jersey numbers 18, 3, and 11. 

When did Waiters debut with the Los Angeles Lakers?

Servers made his Lakers debut on March 6, 2020.