Blake Wesley had an impressive rookie season debut Friday night in front of the home crowd. He was a key contributor in the San Antonio Spurs’ 129-124 win over the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. In fifteen minutes the rookie scored 10 points and four assists. Beyond the stat sheet, Wesley showed confidence in attacking the rim, finding the open man, and catch-and-shoot threes. At the end of the third quarter, the Notre Dame product showed off his speed and ball-handling skills. He beat two defenders to the rim for a huge dunk that erupted the AT&T Center.
Wesley joined the team on Thursday evening when the Spurs announced that he and fellow rookie Malaki Branham were being recalled from Austin . At the time, it was assumed to fill in for Devin Vassell and Josh Primo who were listed as out for the game. However, after the Spurs unceremoniously waived Primo, we may see a lot more of Wesley this season.
Josh Primo Out, Blake Wesley In
When it was announced that Wesley was going to the G League, fan reaction was relatively positive in hopes that Wesley would find a rhythm and get his reps in. In the aftermath of the Primo “situation”, however, and considering his performance, most fans will expect Wesley to stay with San Antonio. It was a revelation to see the rookie perform so well in his debut as he effectively replaced Primo’s production. Wesley in the main rotation makes sense if he can keep stepping up as he did in Friday night’s victory.
Stepping Up To The Moment
A lot of fans were still in a state of shock at the beginning of the game. Understandably, it likely took many a few minutes to get into the game. When Wesley checked in in the first quarter, it seemed to be all eyes on him. The fans needed something to cheer for. It didn’t take long for the guard to get to work, recording an assist and a strong defensive effort. Then, in the second quarter, he popped a catch-and-shoot three. Later in the game attacked the rim for a contested layup, without hesitation
With this strong showing in his first NBA game, it will be yet another shock if Wesley is sent back to Austin anytime soon. The situation with Primo is unprecedented, and no one expects Wesley to replace Primo as a rising face of the franchise. On the court, it’s still safe to say the Spurs’ rookie is capable of making an impact. How quickly Wesley grasps the challenge ahead of him could assist in putting the Spurs’ latest drama behind them.
