Former Indiana basketball forward Trayce Jackson-Davis has almost blown away expectations of many who thought he would struggle at the NBA level. After being drafted in the late second round of last year’s NBA Draft, the former All-American has seen a significant increase in production and overall role for the Golden State Warriors throughout his rookie season.
Not only has role for the Warriors been on the consistent rise throughout his first year in the league, his overall comfort level and confidence is ‘night and day’ compared to when he first entered the league last fall. Having solid group veteran players such as Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Chris Paul, Draymond Green, and Kevon Looney to guide the rookie certainly helps with that.
“Yeah it’s night and day difference for me how I see the game,” said Trayce Jackson-Davis when speaking to the media on Monday night. “CP (Chris Paul) has done a great job with me just talking to me telling me things that I need to do and it shows. His leadership, him and Draymond (Green), Loon (Kevon Looney) all of the vets have been huge in helping me develop and they give me confidence every time I touch the floor.”
While he has a strong bond with his frontcourt teammates, there has been a consistent growth in the on-court chemistry between the former Indiana basketball standout and future NBA hall of famer Chris Paul.
“In this league, you have to keep doing it night after night after night after night,” Chris Paul said when speaking to the media. “We’ve been seeing [Jackson-Davis’ development], but we’re going to keep doing the work. Lot of work to do.”
Related: ‘Sometimes you dunk on people and sometimes you get dunked on’: Trayce Jackson-Davis throws down massive dunk over Victor Wembanyama showing ‘different dynamic’ he brings
Jackson-Davis is coming off a 19 point, nine rebound, and three blocks performance in Monday’s Golden State Warriors loss to the New York Knicks where he reached double-figure scoring for the 6th time this season. He tied his career high of 19 points in Monday’s game, as well.
He has appeared in 54 games this season and has carved out enough of a role to be a part of the Warriors frontcourt rotation. He is averaging 7.3 points and 4.4 rebounds in those 54 appearances. He is also only the eighth player in franchise history during the NBA shot-clock era to make at least his first nine field goals without a miss.
“We gotta give Trayce more minutes to get him ready for the playoffs,” Kerr said a few weeks ago. ” … he has an ability to finish (above the rim) and to block shots. It gives us a different look.”
As far as long term, Jackson-Davis has put on such a strong showing this season, even to where he could possibly be the future of this Golden State Warriors organization when it comes to the front court. Just like he did playing for Indiana basketball, Jackson-Davis is do so much on the floor when he gets his opportunity.
“Whenever my name’s called, I’m just going to continue to play hard,” Jackson-Davis said as well on Monday. “That’s just something I’ve been doing since the beginning of the year. Whatever minutes I get, from here to the end of the season, I’ll make the most of.”
The Warriors are back in action tomorrow night when they host Memphis Grizzlies. The Warriors are currently in 10th place in the Western Conference standings.
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