Golden State Warriors rookie James Wiseman appeared in just three games — totaling 69 minutes — in his lone season with the Memphis Tigers.
Because of the pandemic-shortened offseason and his own COVID-19 diagnosis, the 19-year-old had no Summer League nor preseason action.
Yet, despite his lack of on-court hooping since high school, the No. 2 overall pick will be immediately thrust into NBA action when the Warriors open their 2020-21 regular season against the Brooklyn Nets.
The 19-year-old will not only be active for the game, he'll get the start at center for Golden State at the Barclays Center on Tuesday night, according to The Athletic's Anthony Slater.
The Warriors have loved what they've seen from Wiseman in training camp, and that's reflected in his inclusion in the starting five.
On Monday, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr revealed that Wiseman had been cleared to play in the season opener, though he didn't specify what his role would be. Evidently, the team feels comfortable with the state of his fitness and his game to give him the start against Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and company.
Wiseman's teammate, Stephen Curry, said he hopes the rookie relishes his first NBA game and being back on the court:
“I don't know how he feels physically, in terms of being as close to 100 percent conditioning and rhythm-wise,” Curry said, via Brian Witt of NBC Sports Bay Area. “But he has been asking so many questions, he has been really engaged in practice, in our scrimmages. Hopefully, tomorrow, he just enjoys the moment of playing his first NBA game. I think most rookies kind of have that initiation through preseason and whatnot, you kind of get your feet wet. He's getting right into it, so hopefully that works in his favor.”
Wiseman, a 7-foot-1, 240-pound versatile big with elite athleticism, will be mainly matched up with Nets 7-footers DeAndre Jordan and Jarrett Allen, depending how Steve Nash uses his rotation.
Warriors forward Draymond Green, who also tested positive for COVID-19 during training camp, will not play on Tuesday, though a right foot injury is being cited as the ailment that will keep him out.
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