San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said rookie Sidy Cissoko will start the season in the G League, and the 44th pick is ready for that opportunity.
Cissoko is all too familiar with the G League after playing last season with the Ignite. He averaged 11.6 points, 3.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds and one steal on 43.5% shooting from the field. He produced eight 20-point games and competed in the NBA Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend.
The Spurs will send Cissoko to their affiliate in Austin once the G League season starts next month. He will have the chance to log extended playing time and continue his development.
“I’m ready for that because I knew in the beginning I wouldn’t get like 20 minutes on the first team already,” Cissoko said this week. “I knew when we were talking about the contract that this would happen. I will be with (Sir’Jabari Rice) and Dom (Barlow). (Other players on the team) went to the G League to play, so I won’t say no.”
Cissoko became a second-round pick because of his ability to score, pass and defend with his 6-foot, 9 3/4-inch wingspan. He also has tremendous athleticism and had a number of highlight-reel dunks with the Ignite last season.
The organization has utilized its G League affiliate extensively in the past, as Cissoko referenced. Keldon Johnson, Blake Wesley, Malaki Branham and Tre Jones each spent time in Austin and found success there.
The Spurs will work with Cissoko throughout the year to get him ready to contribute on a regular basis in the NBA. He seeks the same success others before him have.
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