San Antonio Spurs Season Preview: Does Charles Bediako Crack Gregg Popovich's Rotation?

After going undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft, Charles Bediako impressed the San Antonio Spurs with his Summer League performance to earn his way to a one-year deal. Now, he'll have to prove himself worthy of minutes next to the rest of the Spurs' young core.

Summer League standouts don't always get their shot right away in the big leagues — especially given the limited roster spots each NBA team has to fill. 

More often than not, those players who aren't first-round picks bounce around the league on 10-day contracts, or remain half-in-half-out through one of each team's now three two-way roster spots. But Charles Bediako has a leg up in that respect. 

Despite most of the summer attention directed at No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama, Bediako entered Summer League with a chip on his shoulder. With something to prove. And coming out of his five games, he left the San Antonio Spurs with a positive impression. 

Oct 2, 2023; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Charles Bediako (27) poses for photos during media day in San Antonio / © Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

Bediako averaged 17.5 points, 17.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.8 blocks per 40 minutes for San Antonio during his five Summer League appearances — making him an all-around big with two-way potential. And this time, not talking contract.

Despite his obvious talent, however, Bediako wasn't as highly touted as Miller, so he wasn't given the same treatment when it came to the draft, going undrafted ahead of his rookie season. That only gave him something to prove. 

This season, Bediako's "prove-it" moment comes in the form of his one-year deal. Obviously, he still isn't a lock for coach Gregg Popovich's final roster if he doesn't continue to impress in training camp, but the framework is there.

As a rookie, Bediako will spend the entire season — assuming he sticks around — with the Spurs. Not in the G League. Not on a 10-day. In San Antonio. 

The Spurs' big-men depth is certainly full behind Zach Collins, Sandro Mamukelashvili and of course, Wembanyama, but that doesn't mean Bediako can't carve out a spot for himself. As an athletic big with rebounding talent, he can serve as a lob threat and a pick-and-roll screener for San Antonio's guards. 

Bediako has a long way to go before that happens, but if his drive entering the preseason is anything like his drive was for Summer League, he has a chance at earning some minutes throughout the season. 

And a chance might be all he needs.