There might be a 17-hour time difference between the Bay Area and Wollongong, Australia, but that hasn't kept Warriors draft pick Justinian Jessup from keeping up with his NBA squad.
Jessup, who currently plays for the Illawarra Hawks in Australia's NBL, told The San Francisco Chronicle's Connor Letourneau that he regularly watches Warriors games on NBA League Pass. Jessup was the No. 51 overall pick by the Warriors in the 2020 NBA Draft.
A Boise State product, Jessup says he has gotten the chance to develop and foster self-assurance during his time playing professionally in Australia.
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“My time over here has definitely built up my confidence,” Jessup told Letourneau this week during a phone interview from Australia. “I’ve learned what it takes to be a pro, which has been huge.”
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Jessup quickly has become one of the best shooters in the NBL, a skillset which could smooth his potential transition to facing NBA competition. He is connecting on 41.1 percent of his 5.6 3-point attempts per game.
Warriors general manager Bob Myers was asked earlier this season about potentially bringing Jessup to the NBA in 2020-21, and said it was a possibility. But especially this late in the season, it seems much more likely Jessup finishes out the campaign in Australia before potentially being a role player for the Warriors next year.
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It remains to be seen what the Warriors' bench unit will look like next season, but Jessup's ability to shoot from the outside could make him a nice addition behind Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.