Former Indiana star and Golden State Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis become only the third rookie this season to tally back-to-back double-doubles.
Former Indiana basketball star and Golden State Warriors rookie forward Trayce Jackson-Davis is seizing his NBA opportunity, and with his current stretch of performances, he might be too impactful to keep off the court.
Jackson-Davis, the No. 57 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, slid late into the second round before the Warriors took a chance on the consensus first-team All-American. And now, just 18 games into his NBA career, Jackson-Davis is proving himself as one of the steals of the draft.
Over the last three games — all Warriors victories — Jackson-Davis is averaging 23.6 minutes, 11.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 blocks. He’s also shooting 69.6 percent from the field on 7.7 attempts per game during the recent successful stretch.
Following Jackson-Davis’ 10-point, 15-rebound outburst Friday night against the Washington Wizards, he became only the third NBA rookie this season to tally back-to-back double-doubles. The other two rookies? San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama and Oklahoma City Thunder star Chet Holmgren.
Jackson-Davis has played sporadically in his first campaign with the Warriors, rotating between Golden State and the Santa Cruz Warriors of the G-League, but with veteran starter Draymond Green suspended indefinitely, it has cleared a path for Jackson-Davis to earn more minutes — and he’s taken full advantage.
TJD’s latest string of strong performances is getting noticed by his Golden State teammates, including superstar point guard Stephen Curry. After Jackson-Davis’ double-double against Washington, Curry had high praise postgame for the rookie forward.
Below is the full excerpt from Curry on Jackson-Davis:
“I got the text pretty quick (on draft night) that we picked him, and I knew about him when I watched college basketball, a couple Indiana games.
“… I was thinking more so about what his strengths could be in the league, and he’s showing them right now. He’s athletic. Those guys that play three, four years in college, they come with a level of maturity. There’s like a narrative around an experienced college player that he might be able to do something, but you never really know how it’s going to play out.
“Just the strengths of what he’s been doing for us and the way he’s impacting the game, there was hope that’s what it would look like. So I’m glad that he’s proving that early on.
… There were moments in camp (of Jackson-Davis’ flashes), but I think it’s understanding how the league has changed a little bit. And for us, having that lob threat gives us a different look. (Kevon) Looney’s been unbelievable for us for years and still is, still impactful.
“Trayce gives us something a little different, and it’s a nice change of speed. I think his confidence when he goes out there, he’s just playing hard. That’s all I love is when young guys do that, that’s one thing they can control, and it’s turning into impact.
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