Golden State Warriors have found priceless diamond in Donte DiVincenzo
A four year Villanova University product, Big East Sixth Man of the Year, and a member of the 2021 title-winning Milwaukee Bucks, Donte DiVincenzo was forged with championship DNA. After suffering a torn ligament in his left ankle in the first-round of the Bucks’ successful playoff run, DiVincenzo began a lengthy recovery from ankle surgery before being traded to the Sacramento Kings on February 10, 2022.
When signed by the Golden State Warriors to a two-year, $9.3 million (second-year player option) in the offseason, the hopes was that the seasoned DiVincenzo would fill the void left in Kerr’s bench unit with the departure of Gary Payton II.
The Golden State Warriors’ free-agent signing of Donte DiVincenzo is providing the defensive energy, scoring spark, and veteran leadership required off the bench.
DiVincenzo is averaging 6.7 points on 37.4% from three-point range, also adding 4.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game this season. Aside from the last two games of the Warriors recent swing East, the shooting guard has replaced Andrew Wiggins in the Warriors’ starting lineup.
Wiggins has been recovering from an adductor strain and has missed the last 11 games. DiVincenzo has stepped up in his absence on both ends of the floor. He had 15 points in the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers as the Warriors threatened an upset win.
DiVincenzo was spectacular in the Christmas Day 123-109 victory over the rival Memphis Grizzlies, contributing 19 points on 7-for-12 from the field and 5-for-9 from three-point range. He also had three rebounds and three assists in his 31 minutes. Even in Tuesday’s win over the Charlotte Hornets where he went scoreless, DiVincenzo still contributed with nine rebounds, seven assists and some solid defense.
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Paired with Wiggins’ timeline and supplying veteran experience to the young emerging core, DiVincenzo is bringing spark and points off the bench while playing inspired defense. He’s proving the priceless diamond in the rough that the Warriors needed once Payton departed, and another piece of the puzzle to support Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green in their final campaigns.