Imagine going undrafted in the NBA, despite carrying one of the most promising college basketball resumes. That’s the path Chris Youngblood walked. Known as CY, this young gun’s journey to the NBA has been extraordinary. He started from Kennesaw State, where he helped the Owls reach the NCAA Tournament, and brought them to South Florida, where he ruled as a floor general, a clutch performer, and a leader. He guided the Bulls to record wins and conference success until 2024, but went undrafted.

His name wasn’t on the display board when the NBA Draft occurred. In June 2025, the Oklahoma City Thunder offered him an Exhibit‑10 contract, a foot in the door with the reigning champions, and a chance to prove his experience. Chris Youngblood showcased his skills during the 2025 NBA Summer League with the Oklahoma City Thunder, with 12.4 points per game, on average.

Now, he has everyone’s attention. In a 135-114 preseason win over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday at South Carolina, he scored 20 points in just 21 minutes, including five three-pointers, showing the confidence and scoring ability that marked his college career. Oklahoma City is set to face the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, and fans will be eager to see what Youngblood does this time. But for now, let’s explore more about the talented guard.

Who is Chris Youngblood?

Chris Youngblood is a 6-foot-4 guard from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He was born on February 9, 2002. He moved from west Alabama to central Georgia for his high school basketball years and was rated a 3-star prospect in the 2020 recruiting cycle. Youngblood signed to play for head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim at Kennesaw State, where he quickly became a standout player.

He averaged 13.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game at Kennesaw State, showcasing his scoring ability and versatility. “Chris is a great basketball player, no doubt about that,” Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, said. “But even more than that, he’s a phenomenal human being.”

During his high school and college days, Youngblood faced bullying for his poor vision. The giggles on the court were due to his goggles, which resembled Kareem’s. He took recourse in contacts to avoid facing such issues and built his confidence around it. “I feel like I have a solid foundation … and I thank my parents and coaches for that,” Youngblood said. “I like to say that, no matter what, I never blink. When I was younger, I was blinking all the time. I was nervous. I doubted myself. Now I feel like I have confidence. Big confidence.”

Who are Chris Youngblood’s parents & siblings?

Chris Youngblood’s father, Dupree Youngblood, is a mechanical engineer, and his mother, LaDonna Youngblood, is a housewife who supported the family and instilled strong values in her children. The OKC star also has a sister, Lydia, with whom he shares a close bond. Chris has often mentioned that caring for his family remains one of his top priorities. “He wants to take care of his parents and his sister (Lydia), although that’s not really necessary,” said Youngblood’s father.

What is Chris Youngblood’s Ethnicity & Nationality?

Chris Youngblood is of African American heritage. There is no publicly available information confirming his specific religious beliefs or practices. As for his nationality, Youngblood is American and was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, while raised in Sharpsburg, Georgia. His background reflects a blend of Southern roots and a diverse cultural heritage.

What is Chris Youngblood’s Net Worth?

Chris Youngblood signed a one-year, $1,272,870 contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder on September 26, 2025. Under this Exhibit 10 contract deal, he gets a standard minimum-salary agreement that is non-guaranteed. However, depending on his performance and training, the contract could get converted into a two-way contract, or the team could assign him to the G League.

What is Chris Youngblood’s NBA Contract & Salary?

As mentioned before, since Chris Youngblood was undrafted, OKC picked him up through an Exhibit 10 contract. It is essentially a one-year, minimum-salary deal that isn’t guaranteed but comes with a potential bonus of up to $75,000 if the player, after being waived, spends at least 60 days with the team’s G League affiliate. Introduced in the 2017 NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement, it’s designed to let teams bring in players to compete in Summer League, training camp, or for a roster spot. These contracts can also be converted into two-way deals, which is Youngblood’s goal.

What are Chris Youngblood’s NBA career highlights?

Chris Youngblood has yet to play a regular-season NBA game officially. Still, his early professional journey shows he is a worthy contender, especially given the many hats he carries as a scorer, playmaker, and leader. At South Florida in the 2023-24 season, he averaged 15.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, shooting 41.6% from three-point range and 82.4% from the free-throw line. His standout performances earned him AAC Co-Player of the Year, First-Team All-AAC honors, and a spot on the NABC All-District First Team.

He brought that experience into Alabama for his stay in 2024-25. He posted 10.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game, shooting 45.1% from the field, including a season-high 27 points against Mississippi State. Then came the professional dawn. Youngblood showcased his talent during the 2025 NBA Summer League with the Oklahoma City Thunder, averaging 12.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, while shooting an efficient 57.9% from the field and 52% from beyond the arc in over five games, playing about 21.6 minutes per contest. There’s a hidden talent unexplored by NBA teams, and the young blood looks to impress the naysayers.

It is the 2025 NBA preseason now, and he is making a statement. The 135-114 win over the Charlotte Hornets on October 6, 2025, gave him the push and attention he needed. He scored 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including five three-pointers in 21 minutes. Now he’s expected to start the season with the Oklahoma City Blue. Youngblood could be one of the team’s most promising talents and someone to watch as the regular season approaches.

The Oklahoma City Thunder has faced several challenges during the preseason. A series of injuries and rest protocols has affected key players. Notably, guard Nikola Topić is expected to miss four to six weeks following a testicular procedure, sidelining him for the season opener against the Houston Rockets on October 21, 2025.