San Antonio Spurs Season Preview: How Much Will A Full Season Benefit Charles Bassey?

Charles Bassey spent last season with the San Antonio Spurs beginning in late October, and his main complaint was that he had missed training camp. So, with training camp this season behind him, he's set for a year of improvement on the court.

Exactly one year ago, San Antonio Spurs center Charles Bassey sat in an interesting position.

He had just been waived by the Philadelphia 76ers after being taken with the 53rd overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft and spending his rookie season there. A year later, however, it was clear that he didn't fit the 76ers' vision. 

So, with nothing but a few games and a Summer League season under his belt, Bassey was teamless. That was, until the Spurs entered the picture.

Eleven days after being waived, Bassey was picked up by Gregg Popovich's squad, where he spent the remaining part of the season — though both in Austin and San Antonio on a two-way contract.

"This is a perfect spot," Bassey said of his new city and team. "[We have] a young team, I'm still learning everything out there. Everything's going smoothly. I'm just so locked in with my team ... [but] I wish I started preseason training camp with them." 

Dec 23, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Charles Bassey (28) warms up before the game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center / © Mike Watters, USA TODAY

There's the dilemma. Bassey loved his new city and the thought of playing for the Spurs — especially given the focus they placed on youth development. But he missed out on the "formative" time period that propels team chemistry. 

Despite not being there, the second-year forward found a small role in the G League and with Gregg Popovich, averaging 5.7 points and 5.5 rebounds on nearly 70 percent shooting. He performed well enough, in fact, that his two-way deal was converted to a four-year $10 million deal with the big league Spurs.

Now, it's up to him to prove himself. 

A year ago, Bassey was waived at an unfortunate juncture. Not only would he not be sticking with the team that drafted him, but he also was sent to a new city without getting to join them for training camp. That changes this year. 

This season — a year later — Bassey is in full NBA Preseason swing with the Spurs. He's fresh off of a new contract and set to play full-time in San Antonio ... so how much does that affect him? 

Standing at 6-9, Bassey is listed as center. By NBA standards, that's small. But that doesn't mean he doesn't have a role. 

Last season, the Western Kentucky product was sidelined for the Spurs' last 14 games of the year due to a cracked left patella. And Popovich's response? 

"Poor guy," the veteran coach said. "He was just learning how to play." 

Learning to play, by Popovich's standards, is a compliment. And Bassey certainly showed that he's finding his groove. In San Antonio's narrow preseason loss to the Thunder, the center tallied six points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two blocks in just 15 minutes — making it an all-around showing.

Bassey uses his size and athleticism to his advantage, and will continue to get opportunities to showcase his skills on the court, both in the preseason and regular season, which will be crucial to his development. And his health. 

"I've been working all summer on my body," Bassey said. "I'm feeling great. I'm in shape. I'm conditioned, so I'm feeling good." 

So, with a now healthy knee and a fresh opportunity — having been with the Spurs for training camp — Bassey is set to improve from last season. And if it helps as much as he imagined it would, his four year contract could very well look like a steal in a year's time, if not less. But for that, only time will tell.