San Antonio Spurs Rookie's Success Has Been a 'Pleasant Surprise'

The San Antonio Spurs have one remaining two-way contract available, and Riley Minix has surpassed expectations this preseason and is making a strong case that he deserves the roster spot if not a guaranteed deal.

After averaging 20.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and shooting 34.9 percent from deep in his senior season at Morehead State, the 6-7 forward showed out for the Spurs in the Summer League and was signed to a training camp deal.

In three preseason games, Minix is averaging 7.7 points and two rebounds and is shooting a blistering 57.1 percent from three. As the Spurs try and surround Victor Wembanyama with shooters, Minix is making himself hard to ignore.

"He's been really solid for us," said Keldon Johnson. "Even throughout open gyms and training camp, he's been really solid. He's been playing really well in the given time that he's had."

Most rookies are not 24 years old, and Minix is playing like his age, not his experience level. After four seasons at the NAIA level playing for Southeastern University, Minix has found success at the highest level, despite little expectations on his shoulders entering the Summer League.

"He's a young man that's probably still pinching himself that he's on an NBA team and doing what he's doing because it's probably not what he expected several years ago, but he's a tough young man," said Gregg Popovich. "He's intelligent, he learns. Obviously, he can shoot the basketball, so he's been a pleasant surprise. I didn't know who the heck he was when he came in, but he's made me notice."

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There have been rumblings that the Spurs should not give Minix a two-way deal and instead should waive Malaki Branham and give him a standard roster spot, although the rookie spending time in the G League seems to be the more reasonable prediction.