Trayce Jackson-Davis notches double-double in first NBA preseason start

The NBA begins its regular season in just a few days and former Indiana standout Trayce Jackson-Davis is already making a name for himself with the Golden State Warriors.

Through three games in the NBA preseason, Jackson-Davis provided a nice role off of the bench as a rim protector, screener, passer and rebounder. All of the little things that don’t necessarily standout in the box score but are valuable assets to any team.

It’s what gave the Warriors all of the confidence to give Jackson-Davis a guaranteed contract after drafting him 57th overall in this summer’s draft.

It’s also what Trayce Jackson-Davis knows will keep him in the consistent rotation. The scoring will come.

“Yeah, I’m going to screen for some of the best shooters in the world and I’m going to get rebounds. I’m going to try to be a lob threat and I’m going to try to bring energy. Those are things that are very valuable on the basketball court, and I’m going to try to do that role to the best of my position,” Jackson-Davis told reporters at NBA Media Day earlier this month.  When I was at Indiana, I kind of did similar things. Obviously I had a little bit more of a burden on myself being the best player, but now I get to take a step back and try a different role. I’ve always been a very big team guy, and that’s what I’m going to continue to do.”

Through three preseason games, Jackson-Davis averaged 4.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in 14.7 minutes a game. He was 5-of-6 from the field combined.

On Wednesday, however, Trayce Jackson-Davis notched his first start for the Golden State Warriors and was impressive in return. He finished with a double-double; 13 points on 6-of-14 from the field with 10 rebounds.

The Warriors won, 116-115 , against the Kings.

Jackson-Davis’ resume goes without saying as he enters his rookie year in the NBA. He was a four-year starter at Indiana, four-time All-Big Ten selection and two-time All-American — including a consensus first-team selection last season. He ended his Indiana career as the program’s all-time leader in rebounds (1,143) and blocked shots (270) and was third in scoring (2,258) and double-doubles (50).

His experience and consistent effectiveness throughout his entire career stood out — and continues — to the Warriors organization.

“Trayce is an impressive young prospect,” Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said earlier this fall. “You don’t see that kind of college experience very often anymore. But you immediately recognize the experience level and the advantage that gives him.”

Jackson-Davis had the opportunity to leave Indiana after his junior season, but decided to return because of a multitude of reasons. But, one of the major ones? Getting one more year of coaching under Mike Woodson would do nothing but help his draft stock.

That it did.

“It was great,” Jackson-Davis said of his time under Woodson. “Coach Woodson, especially my senior year, me and him had a lot of talks about the pros and cons of me going after my junior year and staying my senior year. The biggest thing he told me is there’s not a lot of difference between going at 22 and 23, and getting that last year under my belt, tuning up some things in my game, passing, reading double-teams and stuff of that nature, reading and getting a feel for the game, and then on the defensive end of the floor, being able to switch out, blocking shots and doing stuff of that nature, I thought it really elevated my game, and not only my game but my confidence.

“I think it really helped, and then getting drafted to a team like this and being in this position and playing with these guys I think is going to really help, as well.”

The Golden State Warriors have one more preseason game on Friday night before the season-opener against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 24.

SEE ALSO: “Trayce is an impressive young prospect.”: Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has high hopes for former Indiana basketball star Trayce Jackson-Davis

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