San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich admittedly didn’t know much about Sir’Jabari Rice at first, but the rookie has impressed the Hall of Famer this preseason.
Rice signed a two-way contract with the Spurs in July after going undrafted out of Texas. He was the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year as a fifth-year senior after averaging 13 points, 3.5 rebounds and two assists on 37.1% shooting from 3-point range.
Like most first-year players, he has been busy adjusting to the increased competition level in training camp, which has been vastly different from college. Rice noted the difference in size, the speed of the game and how smart players are.
These guys are well-polished. In college, you gotta teach everybody everything, but here, they already know what they’re supposed to do; it is just fine-tuning a lot of things. I think that is a good thing for me but also a learning experience for me, as well, just because of some of the terminology I don’t know. These guys have already picked it up, and they’re already on it. I think the goal is to win a lot this year, so the urgency is there, and I can feel it.
The 24-year-old made two appearances with the Spurs in the NBA Summer League, averaging 12 points, 3.5 steals and 1.5 rebounds. Though he struggled to shoot there, hitting only 18.2% from beyond the arc, Rice is known as a floor spacer with a tremendous pump fake.
He has had that ability working throughout training camp and has stood out to the coaching staff. Popovich has enjoyed having him around.
He is a clever, clever guy. I didn’t even know who the hell he was when camp came. I said, ‘Who is that kid there?’ He has got a nice shot. He has got good speed. He has got a great personality about him and everything. He has been enjoyable.
Sir’Jabari Rice has the best pump fake and even in the NBA, guys are falling for it. (s/o to @MavsDraft) pic.twitter.com/L5AMGCJ8ej
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 11, 2023
Rice has made only one appearance in the preseason, recording six points and two assists in six minutes versus Oklahoma City on Oct. 9. He is focusing on learning the system and watching from the sidelines when he isn’t on the court.
He will have the opportunity to develop this season in the G League with the Austin Spurs alongside rookie Sidy Cissoko and fellow two-way players Dominick Barlow and Julian Champagnie.
For now, Rice is focusing on training camp in San Antonio.
“It has actually beaten my expectations,” Rice said. “I thought it was going to be a little bit different than what it is. It is very competitive. A lot more teaching than I thought it’d be. The vibes are immaculate; I really like the vibe around here. It keeps me happy.”
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=650261333]