Video Credit on Header: Austin Spurs
The Austin Spurs have announced their official 2024 Training Camp roster while the San Antonio Spurs have assigned Devin Vassell and Sidy Cissoko to the team for training camp. Training Camp for the Austin Spurs is officially underway and concludes on Thursday, October 31, kicking off the season in Kissimmee, Florida, against the Osceola Magic on November 8. Here's an introduction to the 2024 Austin Spurs:
Two-Way Players
Riley Minix has shown impressive efficiency in his limited NBA preseason appearances, shooting 70% from the field. This kind of shooting efficiency, especially at a young age, bodes well for his development. His ability to contribute points efficiently in limited minutes could make him a fan favorite in Austin, where he might see more extended playtime. Minix brings leadership qualities that are invaluable in a developmental league like the G League. His experience as a go-to player could help him become a key figure for the Austin Spurs, potentially leading them in scoring or other statistical categories such as rebounding.
Harrison Ingram’s physical attributes (6 ft 7 in, 230 lbs) combined with his college basketball experience at both Stanford and North Carolina, where he showcased versatility in scoring, rebounding, and even dishing out playmaking assists, sets him up well for the G League's fast-paced and skill-intensive environment. Ingram's readiness to "take a leap" with the Austin Spurs isn't just about immediate performance and on-court impact but about setting a foundation for a sustainable NBA career with the San Antonio Spurs. His development with Austin in the G League could very well be the stepping stone to proving he belongs in the NBA, leveraging his skills, and work ethic under the tutelage of the Spurs' developmental environment.
David Duke Jr. has demonstrated his capabilities, especially highlighted in the 2023-2024 season where he managed to increase his 3-point shooting percentage significantly over his previous seasons in the G League. His performance in certain games, like scoring 34 points on an impressive shooting percentage against the Iowa Wolves, showcases his ability to take over games when given the chance.
Austin Local Tryouts
The Austin Spurs also held a local tryout back in September, and two players made the Training Camp roster Osayi Osifo who went to Jacksonville University, originally from South Africa, and Parker Van Dyke, out of the University of Utah, both successfully made it past the Austin local tryouts.
Osayi Osifo has displayed solid statistics during his college basketball career, particularly at Jacksonville University where he had a field goal percentage of .662 in one of his seasons, indicating efficiency around the basket which is valuable for any team, especially in the G League where physicality and efficiency can translate well for a team like the Austin Spurs. If Osifo can adapt quickly and improve his skills, particularly in areas like interior play, offensive playmaking, and defensive toughness, he could indeed become a standout player for the Austin Spurs.
Parker Van Dyke: If Parker Van Dyke continues to improve his consistency in shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, and leverages his defensive capabilities while adapting well to his new role as a point guard, there's a plausible case for him becoming a star for the Austin Spurs. His moments of high performance already hint at his potential, but the transition from "potential star" to "star" requires sustained excellence, which only time and performance can confirm.
Affiliate
Malachi Flynn having played for multiple NBA teams, Flynn brings a wealth of experience that could be transformative for the Austin Spurs. His experience in leadership, along with his on-court abilities, could elevate the team's performance, making him a central piece to the Austin Spurs rotation. Malachi Flynn could potentially dominate at the G League level in terms of scoring, playmaking, and his underrated defense, considering his past accolades like Mountain West Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. His presence could significantly boost the Spurs’ chances in games and could become a powerhouse team.
Jameer Nelson Jr comes with a notable basketball pedigree, being the son of former NBA star Jameer Nelson. His college career stats, especially his time at TCU where he averaged 11.2 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, indicate a versatile player capable of contributing across the board. His performance earned him All-Big 12 Honorable Mention, demonstrating his capability at the collegiate level. Given his college accolades, including being named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention, there's an expectation that Nelson Jr. could develop into a key player for the Austin Spurs. His basketball IQ, defensive skills, and playmaking ability could be pivotal for the success of the Austin Spurs.
Austin Draft Picks
Ibrahima Diallo was drafted for his potential to contribute both offensively and defensively, having earned Big 12 Honorable Mention for his performance in the 2023-24 season. His ability to lead the Big 12 in blocks per game underscores his defensive prowess, which is invaluable in basketball. Before being drafted, Diallo had exposure to the team system by playing in the NBA 2K25 Summer League for the San Antonio Spurs. This experience would have given him insights into the expectations and playing style of the organization, potentially easing his transition as he begins his first season with the Austin Spurs.
Steven Richardson’s recognition as the GNAC Defensive Player of the Year for the 2023-24 season indicates his exceptional defensive skills, which are invaluable for the San Antonio and Austin Spurs culture. His ability to rack up steals (55 in a season) showcases his quick hands and basketball IQ, traits that could make him a standout on the defensive end in the G League and for the Austin Spurs. His ability to play both guard and wing positions provides him with a versatile role, which is highly beneficial for a team like the Austin Spurs. Steven Richardson’s versatility allows him to match up against various opponents, fill different roles in different line-ups, and adapt to game situations, making him a valuable asset to the team.
Returning Rights
Jamaree Bouyea has shown considerable promise and upside with the Austin Spurs during his tenure. Not directly from his time solely with the Austin Spurs, Jamaree Bouyea's career statistics and highlights suggest a standout performance in the G League where he averaged 18.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks in 22 games for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, which was before joining the Austin Spurs. This performance, although not with the Austin Spurs, showcases his capability at his peak in the G League. While playing for the Austin Spurs, his performance numbers as of last season showed him averaging 15.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.33 steals in 36.2 minutes over 12 games. With these statistical numbers, one thing is for certain: Jamaree Bouyea is back to business.
Nathan Mensah embodies the archetype of a 'future star' in the making, particularly within the developmental environment of the Austin Spurs. Mensah has carved out a niche for himself with his defensive prowess and rebounding skills, which he honed during his college career at San Diego State, where he was named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and helped lead the Aztecs to significant achievements, including reaching the national championship game. After going undrafted in the 2023 NBA draft, he signed with the Charlotte Hornets, played in the NBA Summer League, and even made his NBA debut on a two-way contract. However, his quest for a permanent spot in the NBA led him back to the G League, where he was acquired by the Austin Spurs. Mensah is poised to prove he belongs on an NBA team, and all roads of the journey first lead to the Austin Spurs.
Isaiah Miller’s monster performance of 43 points catapulted APR to victory over REG winning the Inaugural Rwanda Cup. This past September, APR defeated the Patriots Basketball Club in 6 games to secure the RBL Championship, and Isaiah Miller was named the RBL Playoffs MVP. Isaiah has accolades dating back to college becoming a 2x Southern Conference Mens Basketball Player of the Year, 3x SoCon Defensive Player of the Year, 3x first-team All SoCon, and was named SoCon Tournament MVP in 2021. Isaiah Miller’s consistency has been the key to his successful runs and fresh off a Championship win in September: Miller will look to replicate that same success in Austin.
Julian Washburn has indeed marked his return to the Austin Spurs for what would be considered his fourth season with the team (2015-16, 2017-18, 2023-Present) as he was re-acquired by the Austin Spurs back on November 20, 2023. This move signifies his continued professional journey with the Austin Spurs and the relationship Julian has established with the Spurs organization. Julian was a part of the 2018 Austin Spurs Championship team, which is when he averaged 5.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, and 1.4 apg in 50 games that he played. Washburn will look to bring a combination of defensive solidity while maximizing his offensive contributions to the Austin Spurs this season.
The Austin Spurs could potentially become one of the toughest defensive teams in the league, combine the array of sharpshooters the Spurs have in their arsenal and it's evident the long-standing tradition of San Antonio Spurs basketball is cemented in the philosophy Coach Scott King will bring to Austin.
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