Warriors rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis entered the league with a chip on his shoulder as the 57th overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft.
But it didn't take long for new teammates Steph Curry and Klay Thompson to realize that the 23-year-old could perform well outside of where he was drafted — something Jackson-Davis showed again in Golden State's 129-118 win over Washington. . Wizards on Friday night at Chase Center.
“You think more about what [Jackson-Davis’] “He can be the strengths of the league, and he's showing it right now,” Curry told reporters after the game, recalling his thoughts in June when the Warriors beat Jackson-Davis in the second round. Four years in college, they come with a level of maturity…
“There's a story about an experienced college player coming in and he might give you something, but you never know how it's going to go. Just the strength of what he was doing for us and the way he impacts the game, there was hope that this is what it's going to look like.”
“So I'm glad he proved that so early.”
Curry said he was already familiar with the Indiana product's game when the Warriors drafted Jackson-Davis. Golden State acquired the 57th pick as part of the Jordan Poole-for-Chris Paul deal, sending Patrick Baldwin Jr. and some cash to the Wizards in exchange for the pick and using it immediately to draft Jackson-Davis.
So far, Curry's hopes for Jackson Davis have come true. The rookie has made his way into coach Steve Kerr's coaching staff, bringing the size and athleticism that gives the Warriors a new dimension on both ends of the court. Jackson-Davis has played a crucial role in Golden State's success, recording his second straight double-double on Friday with 10 points, 15 rebounds, three assists and a block, finishing with 10 points over 25 minutes.
Even back in training camp, Thompson knew the Warriors had a great option on their hands.
“I just looked up his college resume, and it was incredibly impressive,” Thompson said of his immediate thoughts on Jackson Davis after the draft. “I mean he was averaging 20-10, and he was the best player in his conference or at least an All-American. Anytime you get a player like that that's willing to contribute, it's great. …
“I can say he can be a force in this league.”
Jackson-Davis was surprised when he dropped to No. 57 in the draft, he said after Friday's game, but he's happy with the way things turned out as he made a name for himself alongside several future Hall of Famers who have multiple championships to think about. .
“I'm happy to be here and I'm lucky to play with these guys,” Jackson-Davis told reporters.
And it's clear that Curry, Thompson and the rest of Golden State's veterans believe the franchise's future is bright, too.
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