Golden State Warriors: All eyez on Jonathan Kuminga

The Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga secured a late bid to the NBA Rising Stars game behind what is arguably the most underrated rookie stint of the season.

All eyes are on Jonathan Kuminga as he starts to show the world just how good he can be for the Golden State Warriors moving forward.

Kuminga became an injury replacement due to Indiana Pacers’ rookie, Chris Duarte, being a late scratch-off for the game. JK’s last-second addition was a good decision as it righted a previous wrong from the league for ignoring his status, in the first place.

The Warriors have used Kuminga sporadically during his rookie season as they compete for the best record in the NBA. However, the 19-year-old has been forcing his way into more and more minutes as his talents are undeniable.

Originally deemed a “work in progress,” Kuminga is showing how irreplaceable elite athleticism is in the NBA. When you have a guy that can stuff the likes of LeBron James on one end before exploding to the rim for an easy bucket on the other… it’s hard to ignore.

Kuminga has been an eye-popping rookie who surprisingly, hasn’t gotten enough attention. At least, until recently.

He earned high praise from Jeff Van Gundy, Mike Breen and former Warriors coach Mark Jackson in their national broadcast of the Warriors/Lakers game. Then, Kuminga’s selection for the Rising Stars game solidified him as one of the brightest young rookies.

Again, this kid is only 19 years old.

With top-tier athleticism and a natural feel for finishing shots at the rim, it’s unlikely Kuminga fails to be a high-impact player in the near future. Additionally, he has all the makings of a brutal perimeter defender with the ability to protect the rim with his absurd verticality.

The Warriors have found themselves a hidden gem and it might not take much longer for the rest of the league to take notice.