Welcome to Pounding the Rock’s 2023-24 participant critiques! The sequence will take a look at the 15 gamers that completed the season with the Spurs on assured contracts (so no two-way gamers as a result of we noticed so little of them this 12 months, and no Doug McDermott). Take pleasure in!
Charles Bassey
2023-24 stats: 19 video games, 3.3 factors, 2.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 72.5 FG%
Contract Standing: 2 years, $5 million remaining ($0 assured)
Age: 23
Coming into the season on the primary commonplace contract of his profession (but in addition with the 2023-24 season being the one assured 12 months), Charles Bassey was able to show his value as an NBA participant. The earlier season had been stuffed with ups and downs after he was waived by the 76ers, signed as two-way participant with the Spurs, and earned a four-year contract whereas trying like their potential backup middle of the close to future. Sadly, a fractured patella ended his season prematurely, proper as he was “simply studying find out how to play,” as Gregg Popovich put it on the time.
This season was alleged to be redemption, and regardless of the addition of Victor Wembanyama, Bassey’s likelihood to earn enjoying time was not in critical hazard since Wemby began the season at energy ahead and Zach Collins at middle, and he earned the backup middle spot. Whereas his minutes have been sporadic from game-to-game, Bassey was strong defensively, offering rim safety and rebounding when Wemby sat, however he was not a lot of an offensive presence for a second unit that struggled to attain early within the season.
When Wemby moved to beginning middle and Collins to backup, Bassey was despatched to the G League for some reps, however then, for the second season in a row, misfortune struck. He suffered a torn ACL whereas play in Austin in early December, and his season was over. It was particularly unlucky since Collins would miss just a few weeks to start out the New 12 months. Add Wemby enjoying on minutes restrictions on the identical time, and that may have been Bassey’s large alternative to show his value. As an alternative, he was rehabbing one other knee damage whereas gamers like Dominick Barlow received their possibilities to shine. For Bassey, such a possibility with the Spurs might or might not come once more.
Wanting ahead
At this level, it’s exhausting to know if Bassey has a spot on the Spurs going ahead. They will waive him for nothing this offseason (and little or no any time after that), and he sadly has suffered season-ending accidents in two straight years. With Wemby now enjoying middle and Collins presumably to stay his backup, minutes at middle will possible be restricted besides when one in every of them misses time. After all, Bassey would nonetheless be an inexpensive, dependable third choice, however on the identical time, the Spurs could also be able to go in a distinct route or make investments extra in somebody like Sandro Mamukelashvili, who actually gave them rather a lot take into consideration to shut the season.
We might or might not have seen the final of Bassey in a Spurs uniform, but when so, it’s unlucky that accidents prevented him from ever really making a case for himself. He has actually proven that he’s above the G League at this level, however the Spurs could also be too deep at middle to have a spot for him going ahead. If he’s launched, hopefully he can discover a new dwelling within the NBA, and if he stays, right here’s to hoping the damage bug lastly leaves so he can really present his value.
Prime Efficiency
Dec. 1 at Pelicans: 8 factors, 11 rebounds 4 assists, 3 blocks
Ultimate Grade: Incomplete
Up Subsequent: Devonte’ Graham
Earlier Critiques
Sidy Cissoko
