Serbian rookie Alen Smailagic logs career night in G League Santa Cruz

The Warriors second round pick out of Serbia, Alen Smailagic scored 29-points in a career night for the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League.

A week ago, there was excitement in the air when the Golden State Warriors recalled, Serbian, Alen Smailagic from the G League. The second-round pick didn’t end up making his NBA debut and is now back in the G League— showing out.

Smailagic registered a career-night against the Agua Caliente Clippers, scoring 29 points on 66.7 percent shooting, adding five three-pointers. The 19-year old rookie added six rebounds, two blocks and three steals against the Clippers. Smailagic’s big night puts him a step closer to making his NBA debut with Golden State.

Smailagic has tallied 25-points or more in his past two games in the G League, dropping five three-pointers in each contest. Smailagic, at 6-foot-10, was primarily listed as an athletic banger and is now flexing a bit of shooting to his game, an impressive development by the Serbian who is still technically a teenager.

The rookies’ firsts season officially with Golden State was put on hold when he injured his ankle at the start of NBA training camp, once finally, healthy Smailagic reported to the Warriors G League affiliate in Santa Cruz.

Smailagic has only been down in the G League for nine games, but in each contest, the big-man is displaying a new skill. Smailagic is averaging 15.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game as the Sea Dubs starting center.

The Warriors frontline is a bit clogged with the arrival of Marquese Chriss along with Willie Cauley-Stein, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney. While playing time in the NBA could be limited for Smailagic, expect him to continue to rack up minutes in the G League.

If Smailagic’s game keeps trending upwards, it could put the Warriors in a position where there only move is to bring up their 19-year old center.