Recovering rookie Blake Wesley returns to form in G-League apperance

After losing Blake Wesley to an MCL injury after only two NBA games, fans were rightfully uncertain about how to judge the 25th overall pick in the 2022 Draft. A point guard who was the first one-and-done player in Notre Dame history, Wesley posted a pleasant 10 points and four assists in his debut game, which also saw him look eager to shoot the three ball. In his second game, he suffered a knee injury and has been sidelined ever since. That was in October.

Since then, fans have patiently been awaiting his return. He was drafted as a strong ball handler and elite athlete who can score, but his facilitating and shooting were still in development. Sort of a Jaden Ivey-lite, if you will. 

Blake Wesley looked like a draft steal in Mexico City

After eight weeks of rehabbing his knee, Wesley made an appearance in the Austin Spurs' 102-112 loss to the Mexico City Capitanes in Mexico. 

Part of the recovery process includes limiting Wesley’s minutes, but in 20 minutes of play, Wesley posted 12 points, an assist, and a steal. Sure, he shot 0/3 from deep, but his game's main focus was testing his knee's limits as he slowly adjusts to playing full games.

He looked good. I don’t usually watch G-League games, but his bursts of speed and first dribbles always looked solid, but I could have done without two turnovers. He does not look nervous about dribbling in traffic, and if all pans out, I think the Spurs got a steal in the late first round of the draft. 

Wesley, Branham, and Johnson make Austin must-watch TV

Alize Johnson posted another double-double after the Spurs released him, and he went back down to Austin, and another rookie guard, Malaki Branham, posted a 16-point effort that saw him play smothering defense. 

Considering that Sochan looks like an excellent NBA player already, and keeping in mind that Branham and Wesley were both picked in the late first round, I think the Spurs managed to land three real rotation players who will all get a fair share of NBA minutes moving forward.