UPDATED: February 1, 2019
Alfonzo McKinnie '15 earned his first career start in the NBA on Thursday, Jan. 31, when the Warriors welcomed the Philadelphia 76ers to Oracle Arena. McKinnie played 27 minutes, scored 11 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. He went a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, despite the Warriors falling 113-104 in a nationally-televised game on TNT. He threw down an alley-oop dunk on a pretty pass from Andre Iguodala. 

McKinnie is the first GB alum to start in an NBA game since Tony Bennett '92 started for the Charlotte Hornets on April 24, 1994. Bennett had 13 points and played 37 minutes in that game. 
 

Tonight's starting five as we celebrate #LunarNewYear on #WarriorsGround pic.twitter.com/5t5I8UDmUc

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 1, 2019

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.@_Alvo_ making a STATEMENT

?? @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/cSYl97BsTA

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 1, 2019

Previous McKinnie News....
Green Bay men's basketball alum Alfonzo McKinnie '15 has been generating national attention for his success this NBA season playing with the world champion Golden State Warriors, being featured in articles published by the New York Times, NBC Sports, Forbes and others. McKinnie, who experienced a long and hardworking journey before earning a spot on the best basketball team in the world, has played in all 13 games this season for the Warriors (who own an 11-2 record, best in the Western Conference) and is averaging over 16 minutes, 6 points and 4 rebounds per game.

McKinnie graduated from UW-Green Bay in 2015, after appearing in all 33 games for the 24-9 Phoenix that season. The Chicago-native battled knee injuries throughout his collegiate career, which limited his usage and explosiveness at GB, which is now on full display at professional basketball's highest level in the NBA. His career has been referred to as "the craziest story in the NBA" by NY Times Scott Cacciola. 

"It doesn't matter where you start. You just have to keep working hard day in and day out. Just wait for the right opportunity to present itself. And when it does, take full advantage of it," McKinnie told The Undefeated. 

He certainly is. 
 

"You gotta' love that guy!"

Alfonzo McKinnie hits the 3 for the @warriors on @NBATV!#DubNation 92#GrindCity 73 pic.twitter.com/HZdCHabTea

— NBA (@NBA) November 6, 2018

Check out some of the attention GB alum Alfonzo McKinnie '15 has garnered on various media outlets below:

From Luxembourg to Mexico to the Warriors: Alfonzo McKinnie's Wild Ride
By Scott Cacciola, New York Times
READ HERE
 

Alfonzo McKinnie was not getting rich playing basketball in Mexico's top league, but his contract did include 40 percent off wings at a sports bar. Now he's a Golden State Warrior. https://t.co/kXwZbu9Gqg

— NYT Sports (@NYTSports) November 6, 2018

The plane flight that changed Warriors forward Alfonzo McKinnie's NBA trajectory
By Marc Spears, The Undefeated
READ HERE
 

The story of:

Perseverance.
Hard work.
& Seizing the moment.

Sometimes you have to bet on yourself to own the moment. Great story by @TheUndefeated on the arrival of @warriors @_Alvo_ . ??https://t.co/Q7XA1S7uMk

— NBPA (@TheNBPA) November 9, 2018

From NBA G League Tryout to the Defending NBA Champs: Alfonzo McKinnie Steps into Spotlight
By Keith Schlosser, NBA
READ HERE
 

@_alvo_ played a season in Luxembourg & Mexico, then made the @windycitybulls after paying for a local tryout.

Now, after a year with @raptors/@raptors905, he's balling for the defending @NBA champs! #GLeagueAlum #ChangeTheGame pic.twitter.com/nYTBPUUXyT

— NBA G League (@nbagleague) October 31, 2018

Thanks to Some Salary Cap Maneuvering, Alfonzo McKinnie Could Be A Warrior for A While
By Patrick Murray, Forbes
READ HERE

Warriors Wednesday: It's Alfonzo McKinnie's world, we're just living in it
By Dieter Kurtenbach, Bay Area News Group
READ HERE

Alfonzo McKinnie shares inner thoughts when he found out he made Warriors
By Drew Shiller, NBC Sports
READ HERE

Alfonzo McKinnie's Wild Ride
By Jim Rome Show
READ/LISTEN HERE
 

"It's unbelievable. I don't want to jinx the man, but he makes his first shot every time he comes into the game." - Klay Thompson on Alfonzo McKinnie (14 PTS, 6-9 FG).

The undrafted Warrior has made 29 of his last 37 shots! pic.twitter.com/5Y40wbrDkG

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) November 6, 2018

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