Get this, because it just dropped: Spurs rookie Carter Bryant, the No. 14 overall pick from this year’s draft, absolutely gushed about teammate Devin Vassell today. When someone asked him which teammate he’s hyped to see grow this 2026-27 season, Bryant didn’t hesitate. He pointed straight at the seventh-year guard, Vassell. This isn’t just some rookie playing nice, either. Bryant went all-in, saying, “I’m really excited to see Dev play. I’ve said it many times. Dev is one of my favorite players, if not my favorite player, to watch in the NBA.” That’s high praise from a guy who’s literally just stepped into the league, calling a teammate his favorite *in the entire NBA*.
Devin Vassell: The Unsung Hero of a 62-Win Season
Bryant’s got good reason for that kind of admiration. He talked about how incredibly “steady” Vassell was for the Spurs last season. And what a season it was! We’re talking a genuinely surprising 62-win run that shocked everyone, leading them all the way to the NBA Finals. Yeah, they fell to New York in five games, but that was an incredible ride. Vassell was a huge part of it. He played 67 regular season games, averaging 13.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, hitting 38.4% from deep. Then in the postseason, across 23 appearances, he kept that output coming: 13.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and his defense? Absolute outstanding. Bryant put it perfectly: “He was our most consistent (player) on the team last year, whether it was regular season or the playoffs. He just kept expanding his game. He’s been doing a hell of a job working, and he’s always been a hell of a player, but obviously he’s one of those guys that just puts us over the top as a team.” That’s the kind of player every team needs, right? The guy who elevates everyone else.
Defense Wins, and Vassell’s Bringing the Hammer
You want to talk highlights? Vassell’s insane blocks against 7-footers in the playoffs were must-see TV. He was swatting shots at the rim like it was nothing against Portland’s Donovan Clingan, Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert, and even the Thunder’s Chet Holmgren in the Western Conference Finals. That kind of defensive intensity is no fluke, either. The Spurs finished last season ranked third in the NBA in defensive rating, and Vassell himself emphasized it last week. “That defense is what we hang our hats on,” he said. “If we could get stops when we’re playing on transition, there’s no team that can guard us. So if we could focus on that and get back to those habits and be even better than last year, we’d be a really tough team to beat.” If Bryant’s excitement is anything to go by, Vassell is primed to build on that incredible defensive presence and consistency.
As the Spurs get ready to tip off their season opener against Oklahoma City tonight, all eyes should be on Vassell. With a talent like Carter Bryant singing his praises so loudly, you know the dude is ready to put on a show. What’s next for this team, and how much further can Vassell take them? Tonight begins the answer.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply