Golden State Warriors rookie goes toe-to-toe with projected number two overall pick

Golden State Warriors rookie Ryan Rollins has delivered a second-straight impressive performance in the NBA G League, recording 24 points and four assists in the Santa Cruz Warriors’ 125-115 loss to the G League Unite.

Saturday night’s game followed Rollins’ 27-point outing against the Oklahoma City Blue on Thursday, a game in which he also recorded a team-high +15 plus-minus in the eight-point win.

The Golden State Warriors front office will have been impressed with the form of rookie Ryan Rollins over a pair of G League games this week.

While Rollins, the 44th overall pick in this year’s draft, was a highlight for Santa Cruz, most of the 4000 fans were there to see the projected second overall pick in next year’s draft, Scoot Henderson.

The 6’2″ guard started the game slowly, but his playmaking was on full display as he finished with 18 points, six rebounds and 16 assists. His performance was the catalyst to Unite turning an 18-point halftime deficit into the ten-point win.

Rollins shot 9-for-15 from the floor, having went 12-for-20 against the Blue on Thursday. Lester Quinones, who was cut from a two-way spot just before the season, led the Warriors in scoring with 25 points on 4-for-8 shooting from three-point range.

Golden State’s draft-and-stash rookie, Brazilian Gui Santos, had 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while training camp attendees Pat Spencer and Trevion Williams also scored in double figures.

Rollins played nine minutes for a shorthanded Warriors against the New Orleans Pelicans last Friday, scoring seven points but also recording four turnovers. There’s little expectation for the 20-year-old in his rookie season, but a smooth offensive game is giving credence to optimism for the future.

Golden State’s first-round pick, Patrick Baldwin Jr., missed Saturday’s game but had 16 points and 7 rebounds (6-for-15 shooting) in the win on Thursday.