Early Life and Education
Jannero Raymon Pargo Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 22, 1979. South Side native, he averaged 22.4 points and 7.1 assists as a senior at Paul Robeson High School in 1998. He was named all-state and recruited by junior colleges.
Pargo attended Neosho County Community College from 1998 to 2000 after high school. Over two seasons, he posted averages of 18.8 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per contest, leading the team to back-to-back conference championships. He transferred to Arkansas in 2000 and averaged 14.6 points, 4.8 assists, and 2.7 rebounds for the Razorbacks from 2000 to 2002.
| Institution | Years | PPG | APG | RPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neosho County CC | 1998–2000 | 18.8 | 6.4 | 3.2 |
| University of Arkansas | 2000–2002 | 14.6 | 4.8 | 2.7 |
Professional Playing Career (2002–2017)
On September 27, 2002, Pargo signed a free-agent contract with the Lakers after being undrafted. He played point guard/shooting guard in 349 NBA games over 13 seasons as a solid reserve.
- Los Angeles Lakers (2002–2003): Debuted on November 9, 2002; averaged 4.1 PPG in 32 games.
- Toronto Raptors (2003–2004): 38 games, 5.2 PPG, 1.9 APG.
- In 2005–06, Chicago Bulls recorded career highs of 8.9 PPG and 3.1 APG in 76 games.
- New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (2007–2008): Career-best 10.3 PPG in 12 playoff games.
- Atlanta Hawks (2008–2009): Played 15 games before leaving halfway.
- Washington Wizards (2009–2010): 6.1 PPG in 49 games.
- (2011–2015): Played 85 games in four stints, including his final NBA game on December 22, 2014.
- International and G-League: Dynamo Moscow (2008–09), Olympiacos (2009), and Oklahoma City Blue (2016–17).
| Team | Years | Games Played | PPG | APG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakers | 2002–2003 | 32 | 4.1 | 1.0 |
| Raptors | 2003–2004 | 38 | 5.2 | 1.9 |
| Bulls | 2004–2006 | 76 | 8.9 | 3.1 |
| Hornets (NOP/OKC) | 2007–2008 | 64 | 7.6 | 2.4 |
| Hawks | 2008–2009 | 15 | 3.8 | 1.2 |
| Wizards | 2009–2010 | 49 | 6.1 | 2.0 |
| Bobcats/Hornets | 2011–2015 | 85 | 4.5 | 1.3 |
| Dynamo Moscow / Olympiacos | 2008–2009 | – | – | – |
| Oklahoma City Blue (G-League) | 2016–2017 | 28 | 12.3 | 5.6 |
The 2008 New Orleans Hornets playoffs saw Pargo average 10.3 points and shoot 40.2% from three in 12 games.
Coaching Career (2017–Present)
Pargo immediately began coaching after retiring in 2017:
| Position | Team | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Coach | Windy City Bulls (G-League) | 2017–2019 |
| Assistant Coach | Portland Trail Blazers | 2019–2021 |
| Assistant Coach | Indiana Pacers | 2021–Present |
- In 2018–19, the Windy City Bulls went 37–13 thanks to backcourt skill.
- Portland Trail Blazers (2019–2021): Focused on offensive strategies and player development under Terry Stotts.
- Indiana Pacers (2021–Present): Manages guard drills and scouting; mentored young point guards in 2023–24.
Financial Portfolio and Net Worth
NBA salaries earned Pargo $11.7 million in his career. In 2015, a $2.24 million Riverwoods, Illinois property went into foreclosure. Asset liquidity and liabilities affect independent net worth valuations:
| Source | Net Worth Estimate |
|---|---|
| Celebrity Net Worth | $500,000 |
| Idol Net Worth (TheRichest) | $3,500,000 |
| PlayersBio via Distractify | $4,500,000 |
- Reported NBA salary: $11,700,000.
- Real estate investment: 2012 $2,240,000 acquisition; 2015 foreclosure.
- Post-career endorsements and coaching valued at $350,000 since 2017.
Family and Personal Life
Pargo’s family is athletic. Jannero and his younger brother, NBA and international player Jeremy Pargo, were raised by Charlie Mae Pargo.
- Sibling: 2012–13 NBA player Jeremy Pargo (born October 16, 1986) averaged 13.1 PPG and 5.2 APG.
- Married reality TV star Malaysia (Laquisha) Pargo in July 2006; eight-year marriage.
- Divorce: Settlement in May 2014 provided $15,000 per month in child support and $7,500 per month in spousal support for three years.
- Jannero III (born August 2007) and Jaden (born March 2011) are sons. Malaysia was granted primary custody, but Jannero Jr. was granted 50 days of parenting time annually.
| Family Member | Relation | Key Date |
|---|---|---|
| Charlie Mae Pargo | Mother | N/A |
| Jeremy Pargo | Brother | Born Oct 16, 1986 |
| Malaysia Pargo | Ex-Spouse | Married Jul 2006; Divorced May 2014 |
| Jannero III | Son | Born Aug 2007 |
| Jaden | Son | Born Mar 2011 |
Latest News and Impact
In March 2025, Pargo remains a key part of the Indiana Pacers coaching staff. Among his effects:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan 12, 2025 | Invited a young fan to shoot drills during practice |
| Feb 5, 2025 | Featured on local sports radio discussing guard development |
| May 20, 2025 | Participated in NBA Coaches’ Association annual summit |
- He gained national recognition by letting a 12-year-old fan onto the court during practice on January 12, 2025, improving community relations.
- Quoted February 5, 2025, emphasising guard development through footwork and shooting mechanics.
- On May 20, 2025, spoke on analytics-driven coaching at the NBA Coaches’ Association summit.
FAQ
When and where was Jannero Pargo Jr. born?
Chicago was his birthplace on October 22, 1979.
What was his college and stats?
He averaged 18.8 PPG at Neosho County CC (1998–2000) and 14.6 at Arkansas (2000–2002).
Which NBA teams did he play for?
He played for the Lakers, Raptors, Bulls, Hornets/Pelicans, Hawks, Wizards, and Bobcats/Hornets from 2002 to 2015.
What is his estimated net worth?
Due to asset valuations and reported liabilities, estimates range from $500,000 to $4.5 million.
Which coaching positions has he had after retiring?
Windy City Bulls (2017–2019), Trail Blazers (2019–2021), and Indiana Pacers (2021–Present) assistant coach.
