Inside The Spurs

Spurs Season-In-Review: Charles Bassey Has Potential, Yet Still 'Learning to Play'

Spurs second-year center Charles Bassey has lots of potential, and though there is still more work to be done before he can become a true playmaker, he has found a home in San Antonio.

Matt Guzman

USA Today Sports
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It's no secret that San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich's coaching style is unique.

The veteran coach has had a lot to say about his team's lackluster season, starting even before the regular season officially went underway, when he made a somewhat surprising comment on the Spurs' title hopes.

Despite the lack of success, this season proved to be one focused on player development, and even though Popovich has gone as far as to say that most NBA players "don't know how to play", he made sure his players did. 

And Charles Bassey was getting there. 

The second-year center — who was already familiar with San Antonio from high school — officially joined the Spurs on a two-way contract early in the season, but soon after, he was given a full four-year deal, keeping him with the Spurs until 2026. 

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

Bassey was in fact locked in. The former 76ers big man averaged 5.7 points and 5.5 rebounds on 64 percent shooting, but he also made himself known down in the paint, leading the Spurs in block percentage.

The center's increased stats compared to his rookie season served as a testament to his increased level of play and awareness, but unfortunately for the Spurs, one part of his game remained the same from Philadelphia to San Antonio: Bassey was injury prone. 

After being diagnosed with a left-patella fracture following San Antonio's March victory over the Orlando Magic, Bassey found himself sidelined for the Spurs' remaining 14 games, and neither he or Popovich were happy about it. 

"I think he cracked his patella," Popovich said following the game. "Somebody hit me with that at halftime. Poor guy. He was just learning how to play." 

Injuries have plagued the young center, who has still yet to play a full NBA season's worth of games, but that has not stopped him from improving and putting up points when he is healthy.

And in addition to increasing his stats, Bassey was also able to develop his skills behind veteran center Zach Collins, who stepped in after San Antonio dealt its previous center, Jakob Poeltl.

Bassey also showed flashes of unique potential down low, registering double digit points six times throughout his 35 games, while gaining experience in a backup role. 

Next season, the 22-year-old will be returning to the Spurs once more behind Zach Collins, who was recently named the starter by Popovich for next season. Collins has years on the young center, and is looking to continue to be a consistent facilitator for a San Antonio offense preparing to add a top talent through the NBA draft.

And with another offseason of work waiting for him ahead of his third season in the league, Bassey can not only get healthy, but also grow into a true playmaker for the Spurs as he continues "learning to play." 

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Matt Guzman
MATT GUZMAN

Matt Guzman is a sports journalist and storyteller from Austin, Texas. He serves as a credentialed reporter and site manager for San Antonio Spurs On SI and a staff writer for multiple collegiate sites in the same network. In the world of professional sports, he is a firm believer that athletes are people, too, and intends to tell stories of players and teams’ true, behind-the-scenes character that otherwise would not be seen through strong narrative writing, hooking ledes and passionate words.

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