Expectations for Ryan Rollins are high after the Warriors traded up in the NBA draft to make sure they could snag him.
But the team and fans alike will have to wait to see the young guard in action since it was announced on Wednesday that he sustained a stress fracture in his right foot, ruling him out for summer league.
Rollins spoke to reporters later that day and said he didn’t even feel the injury before he found out about it.
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“Actually, it hasn’t been bothering me,” Rollins said Wednesday. “I really didn’t feel it, they just did a mandatory physical, so I’ve seen on X-rays and what not.
“I think it’s just a precautionary thing, honestly, but it hasn’t been affecting me.”
Golden State sent the No. 51 pick and $2 million in cash to the Atlanta Hawks to move up and take Rollins at No. 44 shortly after the 19-year-old impressed coach Steve Kerr during the evaluation process.
The Toledo product agrees with some pundits’ claims that he was the steal of the draft, but it will be a while before he can prove it.
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On Wednesday, Rollins expressed his disappointment at being injured and missing out on a summer of action.
“That’s for sure going to be tough because I was very excited to play in the summer league and the California Classic and all that,” he said. “I think it’s just a part of my journey. God puts his battles for the strongest people, so it is what it is. I can’t do nothing about it, I’m just going to learn during the process.
“During the summer league instead of just watching, watch in ways where I can get better and just do what I can.”
RELATED: Myers spells out why Dubs traded up, paid $2M for Rollins
Even though he can’t participate on the court, Rollins will have plenty to learn from Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga and James Wiseman, who are all on the Warriors' summer league roster.
And as he looks to overcome this injury and one day make his debut for the Warriors, there’s no one better to look up to than teammates who have seen a championship run firsthand.
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