Drafting Spanish point guard Juan Núñez with the No. 36 overall pick via the Indiana Pacers, the San Antonio Spurs have a clear vision for a young player they see as one of the draft's best passers. But he's not ready just yet.
AUG. 17, 2019 — A line of 15 and 16-year-old French basketball players stand in a straight line dressed in white national jerseys and looking up at the rafters.
And why? Núñez recently a signed a new deal with Spanish Club Barcelona to continue playing overseas as he develops further into the player that San Antonio sees him becoming.San Antonio Spurs point guard Juan Nuñez attacks inside during a game playing for Spain. / Photo via FIBA.com "He's a really, really talented point guard," Wright said. "Probably the best pick-and-roll player in the draft as a passer. He's tough, he's got moxie, he's competitive and he's a winner."Before his new contract — which includes an NBA-exit clause — with Barcelona, Núñez spent some time with German club Ratiopharm Ulm. There, he was given the chance to play basketball at a high level with ample playing time. That, he said, was imperative.
He might not see ample playing time next season, but Núñez certainly lucks out by heading to the NBA's youngest team. As the rest of his teammates grow, he'll be able to join them and progress into a solid second-unit point guard. It's far too early to be comparing Núñez to an All-time Spurs legend, but the comparisons wrote themselves. Perhaps that's why Wright and company were high on him early in the second round.
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