WASHINGTON — The Philadelphia 76ers made a move late in the offseason to bring in Kelly Oubre Jr. on a minimum deal and it has worked out well. In 40 games with the Sixers, he’s averaging 13.9 points and 4.5 rebounds on 45.6% shooting.
On the season, Oubre is averaging 28.6 minutes per game while starting 29 of the 40 games he’s played. His role has been a bit up-and-down throughout the season as there have been stretches when he comes off the bench and stretches when he starts.
Recently, Oubre has stated he’s still adjusting to what the Sixers are asking of him, but he is comfortable with doing whatever is asked of him in the City of Brotherly Love with two games to go before the All-Star break.
“I’m a hooper, man,” Oubre told Sixers Wire. “I’m just hooping at this point. Playing defense, playing offense, doing the little things. I’m passing the ball a lot more, which I’m happy with, and I’ll take that. Last year, I got to shoot the ball as many times as I want, but this year is obviously different with so many pieces on the team, but I’m becoming a more complete all-around player.”
Oubre is right. While he was with the Hornets, he was averaging 17.1 shots per game in the 2022-23 season as a starter. He was putting up big numbers on a bad team, but with the Sixers, he is asked to do many different things other than scoring. He is looking to just be a contributor on a title contender.
“Just working on little things, the fundamentals and the basics, and I can only get better from there,” Oubre finished. “So my foundation is getting better. It kind of feels like I’m taking like three or four years back in my development because I feel really good. I’m ready for a bigger opportunity, but at the end of the day, I want to do whatever I have to do to help this team win.”
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