Denzel Robert Valentine (born November 16, 1993) is an American professional basketball player for Pallacanestro Trieste of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA).

Valentine attended J. W. Sexton High School, where he was coached by his father, Carlton Valentine (former Michigan State player),[1] and played alongside future Michigan State teammate Bryn Forbes and Iowa basketball player Anthony Clemmons.

As a sophomore, Valentine averaged 10.9 points, 5.8 assists and 6.3 rebounds, leading Sexton to a state title game.

[2] With Adreian Payne and Gary Harris leaving MSU for the NBA draft, Keith Appling leaving due to graduation (eventually to the NBA), the dismissal of Kenny Kaminski, and the transfer of Russell Byrd, Valentine saw an increase in leadership and an expanded role on the team as a junior.

On March 8, USA Today named Valentine National Player of the Year over Oklahoma's Buddy Hield.

[12] Valentine's senior year at Michigan State saw him ranked among the NCAA leaders when it came to three-point shooting.

[14] Valentine, along with Bryn Forbes, were selected to the NCAA College Basketball Three-Point Contest following his senior year.

[19] Two days later, Valentine hit a turnaround jumper as time expired to lift the Bulls to an 84–82 overtime victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Las Vegas Summer League championship game.

[23] During his rookie season, Valentine received multiple assignments to the Windy City Bulls, Chicago's D-League affiliate.

[29] In September 2018, Valentine was diagnosed with a sprained left ankle during the team's training camp and was expected to miss one to two weeks.

However, in late October, the Bulls announced he was suffering from a bone bruise, not a sprain, and would miss an additional two weeks.

[33] On January 3, 2022, the Cavs traded Valentine to the New York Knicks as part of a three team deal that also included the Los Angeles Lakers.

[42] Valentine was a member of USA Basketball's senior men's national team at the 2015 Pan American Games which was held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

[2] Valentine considers fellow NBA player and Michigan State alumnus Draymond Green "like a big brother".

[44] On April 7, 2016, Valentine and his coach at Michigan State, Tom Izzo, were featured as guests on Dancing With the Stars where they learned from Artem Chigvintsev and Edyta Sliwinska.