[jwplayer txo21Wab-z6KDnl0B]
When you’re a second-round pick in the NBA, life can be tough sometimes. Especially when you’re a late second-round pick because that typically means that you’re on a good team and there will be little chance for playing time.
That is exactly what happened to Philadelphia 76ers rookie Marial Shayok who was the 54th overall pick in the 2019 draft and he played a grand total of four games with the Sixers in his rookie season. He spent most of his season in the G League with the Delaware Blue Coats where he showed off some promise.
2019-20 season averages
2.8 points
1.8 rebounds
0.3 assists
25% overall percentage
33.3% from deep
As mentioned, Shayok spent a large majority of the season in Delaware where he played in 35 games and he averaged a robust 23 points per game. He also pulled down 5.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 35.6% from deep on 7.5 attempts per game. He was named G League Player of the Week at one point and he was ranked as the best player in the G League for the 2019-20 season.
His work allowed him to make his NBA debut on February 6 against the Milwaukee Bucks where he scored three points which came via a 3-pointer. He scored a career-high five points in the season finale against the Houston Rockets while also grabbing two rebounds.
Shayok did not get any burn in the playoffs which is understandable since they were facing such an elite team like the Boston Celtics. For next season, Shayok should be getting ready to challenge for a potential spot on the roster. That would be a reasonable next step in his development so that means he will have to battle against a guy like Zhaire Smith for a final spot. [lawrence-related id=37598,37590,37593]