Santa Cruz Warriors at Iowa Wolves: Jones’ 29 leads top-3 performers

2. Lee posts 18 off the bench

Damion Lee couldn’t have picked a better time to come back from injury. With guards like Quinn Cook, Alex Hamilton and Michael Gbinije banged up on the sidelines, Lee has really stepped up in the second unit backcourt following the departure of Antonius Cleveland.

Lee missed the first three games of the season, but he’s averaged 10.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 19.4 minutes since being cleared to play. Those numbers are definitely expected to pick up as he begins to find his rhythm.

In Iowa, Lee tallied 18 points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal in 25 minutes off the bench. He shot 4-of-10 from the field, 3-of-8 from behind the arc and a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line.

The injuries in the backcourt have surely affected Santa Cruz, but Lee proved capable of picking up the scoring load in the absence of Cook, Hamilton and Gbinije. Lee has also averaged almost 10 more minutes since Cleveland went off to sign a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks, which in turn opened the door for Lee.

Lee has thus far taken advantage of his newfound opportunity, and I don’t see him slowing down anytime soon.