Alkass Digital
In a six-day span, rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis, the 57th pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, went head-to-head against two of the most freakish anomalies in the NBA: two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and 7'4 number one pick Victor Wembanyama. Jackson-Davis has success in both matchups, scoring 15 points on 7-for-8 shooting in a 35-point win over the Milwaukee Bucks last Wednesday and recording a 13-point 10-rebound double-double on 6-for-7 shooting in a double-digit win over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.
The third quarter of last Wednesday's win over the Bucks highlighted Jackson-Davis' success against Antetokounmpo, as he blocked him three times, meeting his 7'3 wingspan at the rim and finishing with multiple dunks on the other end. Jackson-Davis finished with a career-high-tying four blocks.
"We have to get Trayce more minutes to get him ready for the playoffs because he needs reps," Head Coach Steve Kerr said, impressed with the rookies' stellar performance. "He has an ability to finish and block shots, giving us a different look."
Jackson-Davis is a student of the game and his prior film study helped prepare him for the moment.
"I've never faced anyone like him [Giannis] with how fast and explosive he is," Jackson-Davis said. "The person that I've watched in the past who's had some success against him is Blake Griffin, sitting back and allowing him to come to you, sitting on his spin move."
Since that game, Jackson-Davis has received a steady increase in playing time, including a start on Saturday. However, it was in Monday's rematch against the Spurs where he had the opportunity to go head-to-head with the first pick of his draft class.
In the fourth quarter and looking for the dagger basket to seal the game, Jackson-Davis used a spin move to get to his dominant hand and elevated for a highlight-reel poster dunk over Wembanyama.
"I saw that he overplayed it to my right so I spun and had a step on him," Jackson-Davis said. "I told Loon [Looney] that if I had a chance to try him [Wembanyama], I would."
Despite Antetokoumpo and Wembanyama's actual size and metaphorical stature, Jackson-Davis isn't backing down from any challenge.
"They're great players, but you have to take on that challenge and accept it," Jackson-Davis said.