Around San Antonio, Devin Vassell has earned a reputation for his ability to take challenging shots—a trait he embraces wholeheartedly. The second-longest tenured Spur, Vassell stated, “You know, a lot of shots for me might look like a bad shot for a lot of other people. But those are shots that I work on all the time.”
Drafted as the 11th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Vassell has steadily risen in prominence to become the team’s second-leading scorer in just his third season, following only Keldon Johnson, who was also selected by the Spurs in 2019. Vassell continued to impress by averaging 19.5 points per game this season, even as Victor Wembanyama made his league debut.
In a recent matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Vassell shone brightly, scoring 13 points in the first quarter and totaling 25 points by halftime—both season highs for the team. However, the Cavaliers adjusted their defense in the second half, leading to a 130-117 victory for them. “Any player gets hot like that, the team’s not going to let them just keep shooting,” Vassell analyzed. “They kind of just stayed with me wherever I went, and that’s just something I’ve got to adjust to.” He reflected on the need for adaptability, highlighting that despite his hot start, adjustments were necessary to maintain his impact on the game.
Vassell’s remarkable performance included tying a franchise record with seven three-pointers in the first half, although he only managed three points in the second half. This season, he has averaged 16.5 points per game and has filled the scoring void left by the injuries to Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, maintaining an aggressive mindset. “I would say it all the time, just staying aggressive at the end of the day,” the 25-year-old noted.
His 28 points against the Cavaliers marked his second-highest scoring game this season—he previously scored 35 points in a victory over the Denver Nuggets shortly after Thanksgiving. Vassell attributes much of his development to the Spurs’ assistant coaches, especially given the restructuring of the roster: “If I have a little bit of space, it’s a good shot. So that’s, that’s kind of what I’ve got to do.”
With the return of Castle anticipated for the upcoming game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Vassell sees potential for new opportunities. “Maybe if they set up tough twos or mid-ranges, but it’s something that we’ll live with if necessary,” he commented.
San Antonio is navigating a challenging itinerary, facing a stretch where ten out of eleven games are on the road. They will look to build momentum as they prepare for an upcoming NBA Cup Quarterfinal against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 10, with the possibility of advancing to the semifinals in Las Vegas by December 13. “You play a lot of games, you travel a lot, and we don’t really try to make a lot of excuses. So, we’ll bounce back next game,” Vassell concluded, determined to keep the team’s spirits high.
