Spurs Season-In-Review: Rookie Blake Wesley Still Finding 'Groove'

Fresh out of Notre Dame, rookie guard Blake Wesley entered the NBA looking to make a statement, and while he did not have a breakout season, he did show his ability to learn and improve ahead of the second year of his San Antonio Spurs tenure.

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San Antonio Spurs rookie Blake Wesley was not expected to become a standout right away. That wasn't anything new to him, however. 

"It's going to take some time to get really in a groove, [but] it's a good group," Wesley said. "I like being around everyone. ... They feed off of me, I feed off of them. It's a good atmosphere." 

The 20-year-old declared for the NBA draft after just one season at Notre Dame, where he would end up in the Lone Star State playing for one of the league's greatest talent developers in Gregg Popovich.

"[Gregg] Popovich is just a good dude," Wesley said before the season. "He's a good coach. He knows what he's talking about, and he's coached many legends, so I'm excited to play for him."

Wesley did in fact improve under Popovich's direction, which proved itself during the Spurs' Feb. 23 matchup against the Dallas Mavericks.

OH MY BLAKE WESLEY!!!! 🤯🔥 pic.twitter.com/fhfnklw03Z

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) February 24, 2023

"I was really pleased with Blake tonight," Popovich said following the game. "I thought this was his best game as far as understanding what the NBA is like. ... I was really impressed with him." 

That game, the guard finished with nine points, three rebounds and two — all higher than his season averages of five, two and two, respectively. His scoring was not at the top of the Spurs' roster, but it didn't need to be. 

"Fans can expect me to be a defender [first]," Wesley said. "I'm a guy who will bring the energy, and who is going to give it my all." 

This season, Wesley played just 37 games, but in each one, he did give it his all, and got better while doing so. To close the year, the guard dropped back-to-back double-digit point performances to finish strong. 

And those kind of performances are just previews to what the young guard can bring to the Spurs in the midst of their rebuild.

Wesley signed a four year contract to keep him in San Antonio until the 2025-26 season, and as long as he is under Popovich and with his teammates, fans can only expect him to continue to find his way and flourish.

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