MarJon Beauchamp has had a bit of an up-and-down season with the Milwaukee Bucks, but the 24th pick has impressed plenty of individuals along the way.
Beauchamp didn’t play immediately to start the season. But once some players went down with injuries, the team leaned on him heavily over a stretch in November. He averaged eight points and 4.8 rebounds over a nine-game span and even started six times. He scored in double figures three times in that stretch, including a career-high 20 points on Nov. 14.
The performances by Beauchamp earned high praise from his teammates, including Giannis Antetokounmpo. The two-time Most Valuable Player was seemingly most impressed with the way Beauchamp came into the season ready to work.
“I think he has a skill set that is unique,” Antetokounmpo said on Nov. 15. “He plays with a lot of energy. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and he is a guy that leads by example. He is not a big talker. He is going to go out there, play the right way and try to get the job done. It kind of reminds me a lot of how it used to be when I was younger.”
Following that run by Beauchamp, minutes dried up and he nearly spent a month out of the rotation. He eventually played in 17 straight games from Dec. 13-Jan. 14, averaging 6.6 points and 2.2 rebounds. Since then, though, Beauchamp has made nine appearances.
With playing time limited, the Bucks sent Beauchamp to the G League.
He has made four appearances with the Wisconsin Herd, including two games this week. In a unique scheduling quirk, Beauchamp played with the Herd on Tuesday morning against the Lakeland Magic in Orlando, just hours before the Magic hosted the Bucks at Amway Center.
Beauchamp produced a season-high 24 points and eight rebounds on Tuesday in a loss to the Lakeland Magic. He scored 11 points in the fourth quarter and finished 10-of-15 from the field, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range.
“We’re very excited about how he has grown and developed,” Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said of Beauchamp. “He has had some moments where he has gotten some significant minutes with our team and then we’ve been healthier and he hasn’t got to play as much, and has played in the G League.
“Getting those opportunities and showing an ability to play and compete on an NBA level was huge. I’m sure, for him, it’s not easy to not continue to get to play and be on the court but he is working before and after practice in the weight room. We feel like he has a bright future and we are really happy with how he is growing.”
Rookie Wire caught up with Beauchamp after his performance in Orlando and discussed his minutes in the G League, playing with Antetokounmpo, his rookie season and more.