RayJ Dennis suddenly found himself at the center of attention after a breakout preseason performance that felt impossible to ignore. In the Indiana Pacers’ 135-134 overtime win against the Timberwolves on October 7, Dennis appeared fearless. He dropped 16 points in just 19 minutes, going 4-of-6 from deep and adding five assists, most of which came in a fiery fourth quarter where he scored 14 points. For a player who appeared in only 11 games last season, this was a hot night. And needless to say, more people are trying to know who RayJ Dennis actually is.

RayJ Dennis’ early life and background

RayJ Patterson Dennis was born in Plainfield, Illinois, to Ray and Carla Dennis. His father, Ray Dennis, had played college baseball at Texas Christian University (TCU) and encouraged his son to channel his determination into athletics.

Dennis started his basketball career at Oswego East High School. There, he became a four-year varsity starter and one of the most decorated players in the school’s program history. He was named a McDonald’s All-America nominee, a two-time Kendall County Player of the Year, and the first player in Oswego East history to score 1,000 points in just two seasons. He went on to win the unanimous MVP as a senior; his senior-year averages were 23.2 points, 5.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game. This led Oswego East to its first sectional championship appearance and an undefeated conference run. Dennis’ fiery run continued in college.

RayJ Dennis’ College Career and Achievements

When he started at Boise State in 2019, he played all 32 games as a freshman and quickly proved he could run an offense. By his sophomore year, he became a full-time starter, averaging 8.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and a team-high 2.9 assists per game. One of his early standout games was against Utah State, where he scored 19 points in just over three minutes, leading a dramatic comeback that remains one of Boise State’s most memorable finishes.

He then transferred to Toledo, where he emerged as one of the best guards in the Mid-American Conference. During the 2022-23 season, he was named the MAC Player of the Year and earned First Team All-MAC honors while leading Toledo to its third straight conference title, making it a first in school history. He averaged 19.5 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game, scoring in double figures in every appearance that season. His 3.0 assist-to-turnover ratio ranked among the top 10 nationally, and he scored a career-high 32 points against Ball State to clinch the MAC regular-season title.

His time at Baylor during 2023-24 marked his final college season. Dennis proved he could lead at the highest level. He led the team in assists 32 times and recorded 236 assists in total, the third most in a single season in program history. Averaging 13.6 points and 6.7 assists per game, he was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team, the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team, and the NABC All-District 8 Second Team.

RayJ Dennis’ journey to the NBA

RayJ Dennis’ road to the NBA was anything but smooth. Despite carrying 5 years of experience, he went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft. Throughout the year, he struggled to land a contract with the Big 12, until he signed the Exhibit 10 contract with the LA Clippers, only to be waived away in the next two months. He then had a very brief two-way signing with the Washington Wizards (Oct. 19, 2024) and was waived shortly after (Oct. 21, 2024) before joining the Clippers’ G-League affiliate. Despite leaving Las Vegas without a contract, Dennis refused to give up. “It’s not NBA or bust,” he said afterward. “The way the league is for most rookies is slow, and it takes a little bit of time. But I’m definitely out there competing for a two-way [contract] and trying to make that happen.”

The sincerity he carried eventually led him to land a two-way contract with the Pacers earlier this year. Now 11 appearances later, he is making waves again with his outstanding performance at the preseason game. The Pacers saw an opportunity with Dennis. They needed a backup guard, and it opened the door for the Toledo star. “You’re getting a winner,” Dennis said. “You’re getting someone who’s ultra-competitive. You’re getting a hard worker, and you’re getting a leader and a playmaker.”

At just 24, he brought five years of NCAA experience and elite passing instincts to the Pacers’ second unit. Though he appeared in only 11 regular-season games, he averaged 2.7 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 6.4 minutes per game.

RayJ Dennis’ playing style and strengths

RayJ Dennis is a point guard, primarily known for his playmaking and floor leadership. He has shown consistent leadership in performances throughout his high school and college games. Dennis also excels in defensive activity, regularly contributing steals. He got his quick hands and the ability to anticipate and disrupt opponents. While his three-point shooting was a concern in college (32% over five years), he showed marked improvement in the NBA Summer League, hitting 50% from three in Las Vegas, highlighting his capacity to adapt and improve.

RayJ Dennis’ Parents

RayJ Dennis is the son of Ray and Carla Dennis. His basketball journey began with a challenge, not many know about. He was born with a clubfoot, specifically, a twisted and shortened muscle on his right foot. He spent his childhood with casts and braces around his legs. His father, who already had dreams for his son, was heartbroken but not defeated.  “When we got the news that he had the situation, as a dad you are thinking about your son and being an athlete and everything,” Ray Dennis said. “You’re trying to figure out what that means.”  It is the dedication of his parents that allowed him to heal physically. Once he healed, Dennis began to explore sports as a way to test his newfound strength. One major motivation for the family was faith. His mother often relied on prayers to help heal her son. He is often seen sharing posts about his relationship with God, something that he carries from his parents.

RayJ Dennis’ siblings

RayJ Dennis has two sisters, Maya and Amber Dennis. While there is less publicly documented information about their lives, both sisters have been part of the family’s supportive environment. The family dynamic is driven by faith and love for each other. Qualities that helped RayJ overcome early childhood challenges, make a journey from physical deformity to thriving in competitive basketball.

RayJ Dennis’ relationship with his parents

Children are always dependent on their parents. It gets much harder when there are physical limitations to a child’s growth. Dennis himself realized this fact. “I wasn’t born with the best circumstances,” Dennis admitted in an interview. “Most people born with clubfoot aren’t expected to be athletes. They are just happy to walk regular.” But for his parents, Ray and Carla Dennis, he was not just a regular person. His mother, Carla, added in the same interview, “We had been told on several occasions to lower our expectations of what he would be capable of doing physically.” But he persevered, with the support of his parents.“We feel blessed but I’m not surprised,” Carla said. “He’s been kind of shocking doctors all his life.” Now, he has shocked the NBA world as well.

From overcoming a childhood clubfoot to becoming a skilled floor general in the NBA, RayJ Dennis’ journey is a story of resilience, hard work, and family support. As he continues his career with the Indiana Pacers, Dennis’ determination and versatility suggest a promising future at the highest level of basketball. With Tyrese Haliburton sidelined for the whole season with an ACL, Dennis is proving he might be ready for a bigger role on the Pacers team.