NBA Media Day: A Check In With Some Former Huskies
As the clock ticks down toward another NBA season, that means NBA Media Day is right upon us and of course, an opportunity to check in with some former UConn Huskies as they embark for their first, or even a 13th, NBA season.
Stephon Castle
As the former national champion is set to begin his rookie season with the San Antonio Spurs, there are plenty of questions surrounding what that first year in the NBA will look like. How many minutes will he start out with as a top 5 pick? How has he been adjusting to the upgraded tempo and expectations of the association?
However, perhaps the biggest storyline for Castle lies in the acquisition of veteran guard Chris Paul. As many fans are familiar by now, the legendary playmaker was instrumental in the development of superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Spurs organization is hoping for a similar effect this season. In his first media appearance with his new team, Paul had only positive things to say about the Georgia native.
While it remains to be seen how things will shape up for Castle in his rookie season, it’s clear that he’s being put in a great position to succeed early on in the NBA.
Donovan Clingan
As the top pick for the Portland Trail Blazers at No. 7 in the 2024 NBA Draft, Clingan enters a situation that is quite interesting to behold for fans. Already featuring a big man duo of both DeAndre Ayton and Robert Williams III, there’s been questions about what type of impact he’ll have in year one, similar to his 2023-24 Husky partner and fellow rookie Castle.
However, one thing that is certain is the effort that Cling-Kong has demonstrated on the court early on. Teammates have raved about the competitiveness and tough attitude he’s brought to the floor, a trait that’s certain to serve him well as his NBA career progresses. He’s always shown a willingness to want to learn from the veteran players on the roster and that was showcased by the praise of players like Ayton during media day.
Clingan also had the opportunity to answer questions from the NBA media, giving his perspective about the transition to Portland from Storrs and his expectations for his role in year 1.
Despite the perspective of being a “freshman” again and adjusting to a new home in Portland, things have been very positive early on for the new rookie.
Cam Spencer
To the surprise of many (except UConn fans of course), Spencer had an extremely impressive Summer League, dazzling fans with his shooting and competitive energy early on.
Unfortunately for the Maryland native, things took a turn for the worse, as he suffered an ankle sprain, forcing him to miss some time to begin the preseason. For a player as dedicated to the game of basketball as Spencer, this was far from the news that he wanted. However, his team-first attitude remained unfazed.
“I’m gonna control what I can control,” Spencer told the Memphis media. “That’s my attitude. That’s my effort towards the rehab. Definitely frustrating, but I’m still gonna go to training camp and support the team in any way that I can.”
Even before the injury, Spencer was locked in on competing with some of the best shooters on the Grizzlies like Luke Kennard and Desmond Bane. Of course, longtime fans of Spencer knew he wouldn’t shy away from some friendly competition.
“As a competitor, you’ve gotta bet on yourself. Des and Luke are great shooters, but I look forward to the challenge of hopping in those shooting competitions and giving it a go. But, you have to bet on yourself,” said Spencer.
Jordan Hawkins
In his second season in the NBA, Hawkins is coming off an up and down rookie season with the Pelicans. That first year featured some massive highs like a 31 point performance against the Denver Nuggets on November 6th, but also the difficulty of cracking a consistent rotation spot.
That factor has fueled Hawkins to truly lock in on raising his game to new heights, making sure he can not only improve his shooting, but also key attributes like his defense and rebounding. Those became key topics when the former Husky spoke in front of the Pelicans media
But, year two represents an ability to bounce back from the negatives of year one and become an even better player in year two. No longer do the stress, inexperience, or the unknown play a factor in the play of the New Orleans sharpshooter. In 2024, Hawkins knows what to expect out of himself as a player and that’s played a big part in why he’s looking for improvements in his sophomore season in the association.
Andre Drummond
The final former Husky on this list to be discussed during Media Day is also the player with the most experience from UConn still in the league.
Back with the Philadelphia 76ers, Drummond made waves around social media on Monday when he declared himself “the best rebounder to ever play the game” in response to a question about how he can help Philadelphia’s rebounding issues. The former lottery pick doubled down on his statement, saying, “You want me to say that again? I’m the best rebounder ever.”
Aside from the viral moment, the longtime NBA veteran also discussed reuniting with former Pistons teammate Reggie Jackson, the development of star Tyrese Maxey, and being an important veteran big on this Philadelphia roster. With a player carrying that much experience being added to a Sixers roster that is competing with teams like the Celtics, Knicks, and more, Drummond could definitely prove to be an important bench piece for this roster down the stretch.