Golden State Warriors rookie Ryan Rollins on Saturday put up his fourth double-digit-scoring game on assignment in the NBA G League with the Santa Cruz Warriors.
Rollins produced 17 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal in a 111-91 loss to the South Bay Lakers. He went 5-of-15 from the field, including 3-of-8 from 3-point range, in nearly 30 minutes of work prior to fouling out.
The 44th pick struggled to shoot and totaled a season-high eight turnovers. He had some strong finishes at the rim and managed to get to the free-throw line a few times.
Rollins explained what he has learned so far with Santa Cruz.
I have a lot of improving to do. I’m learning. I have a bright future, for sure, just with my ability to score the ball and all of the things I can do on the offensive end. I feel like this is what this is just getting reps and learning as much as I can and getting better each and every day.
With playing time at a premium with Golden State, the team opted to send Rollins to Santa Cruz to practice and see game time. He has totaled 21 minutes of work in five appearances with several veteran players ahead of him on the Warriors’ depth chart.
Rollins has responded by averaging 19.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and two assists on 47.5% shooting from the field in four games with Santa Cruz. He has two 20-point games on assignment, including a season-high 27 points on Nov. 10 versus the OKC Blue.
Santa Cruz coach Seth Cooper explained what they want to see from Rollins.
Ryan has a huge ability to put pressure on the rim. (We’re) trying to get him used to not having the ball in his hands all of the time. (In college) at Toledo, he had the ball in his hands all of the time. For him to play in the NBA with the Warriors, he is going to have to play off of the ball.
Rollins was also joined by James Wiseman and Patrick Baldwin Jr. in Santa Cruz. Golden State simply does not have enough minutes for the trio of players given its veteran-heavy roster. The team feels as though they each need more time before they can contribute regularly in the NBA.
Wiseman scored a team-high 19 points and 11 rebounds in his first game with Santa Cruz while Baldwin had nine points, four rebounds and two assists in his third appearance. They had the opportunity to log extended minutes and get valuable time on the court.
While Wiseman joined the two rookies for this assignment, Rollins said the process has been much easier with Baldwin by his side going back and forth between Golden State and Santa Cruz.
We know this is a learning experience for both of us just to get our reps and learn. This is why we’re down here, honestly, just to learn to get better and keep improving each and every day. We come down here with that mindset of just getting better and learning.
Rollins and Baldwin will likely continue to see time in the G League in order to get more reps and game action. The team has had great success in developing players with its affiliate and will be looking to replicate that again this year.
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