ESPN dropped its much-hyped list of the top 100 NBA players this week, and while the San Antonio Spurs saw three of their guys crack the top 50 , Dylan Harper at 50, De’Aaron Fox at 43, and Stephon Castle coming in at 38 , there was one glaring, mind-boggling omission: Devin Vassell. This dude, who *started* on an NBA Finals team, was completely, utterly nowhere to be found. Victor Wembanyama is expected to land in the top 10 later this week, but the real story here is the incredible disrespect shown to a key starter.
The Numbers Don’t Lie, So What Gives, ESPN?
Let’s just talk facts for a second, because apparently, ESPN forgot to check them. Vassell averaged a solid 13.9 points per game in the regular season, draining shots at 38.4% from beyond the arc. And in the playoffs? He took huge, game-changing strides on the defensive end. This isn’t some bench warmer; this is a player who contributes big time to an NBA Finals squad. Yet, Carter Bryant gets a mention as someone who will probably make the list *next year*, and Vassell, who is *already* doing it, gets nothing? The Ringer, a site that actually seems to watch basketball, has Vassell ranked at 65. ESPN is one of the only outlets that completely ignored him.
Now, let’s look at who *did* make the list over Vassell. This is where it gets truly infuriating. Lu Dort, rookie Caleb Wilson, Peyton Watson, Donovan Clingan, Coby White, and Fred VanVleet , who didn’t even play a game last season , all made the cut. Lu Dort, seriously? That’s a particular head-scratcher. Dort couldn’t even stay on the court in the playoffs, his jump shot abandoned him, and his defense failed to make any game-changing impact. He averaged 8.3 points and shot 34.4% from three last season. How does that make him a top-100 player over Devin Vassell? It just doesn’t compute.
This Snub is Fuel For What’s Next
To validate every single upset Spurs fan out there: yes, Devin Vassell is undoubtedly a top-100 NBA player. He’s probably somewhere in the 70s to 80s range, minimum. His combination of shooting, size, shot creation, and that budding defense makes him one of the league’s most exciting glue guys. He’s one of the few players on the Spurs roster who can both shoot from deep and reliably put the ball on the deck to create his own shot. He’s the team’s best pull-up jump shooter.
Next year is a monumental season for Vassell, and honestly, this kind of glaring omission could be the exact motivation he needs. The Spurs are going to have a ton of attention on them after their Finals run, and the internal competition for minutes is going to be fierce with guys like Harper, Tobias Harris, Julian Champagnie, and Keldon Johnson all battling it out. It’s going to be one of San Antonio’s most competitive seasons in ages. Vassell will be absolutely crucial if the Spurs want to make it back to the Finals in 2027. If he can maintain that level of defensive intensity he showed in the playoffs, this team could truly soar to new heights in the regular season. This feeling of being underestimated? That’s exactly the edge the Spurs need after coming up short last season.
This isn’t just about some arbitrary list, it’s about respect. Vassell’s got a fire lit under him now, and the Spurs need that kind of intensity. Get ready, because if he plays like he’s got something to prove, that 2027 Finals run is looking more and more real. This kind of disrespect? It’s exactly what this team needs to go all the way next year.
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.
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