SANTA CRUZ, CA — Less than a week into his assignment with the D-League Santa Cruz Warriors, Golden State Warriors rookie Kevon Looney is eager to hit the court for the first time as a professional.
At practice Friday morning, Looney said he “Can’t wait,” to get back on the court in live action games.
“I’m super excited,” Looney said. “I’ve been waiting six months for this, finally going to make a debut at the professional level.”
Looney played for the Warriors during Summer League, but has been out following arthroscopic surgery on his right hip. He says he’s since fully recovered.
“I say I’m 100%,” Looney said. “I just need to get my legs under me.”
Santa Cruz head coach Casey Hill confirmed to LetsGoWarriors that Looney will play Tuesday in the Warriors’ next road game against the Idaho Stampede.
“He will play,” said Hill, who expects the rookie to play between 18 to 20 minutes.
Hill said he’s known Looney would end up in Santa Cruz for a while, and he’s excited to help with his development.
“We’re going to put him in situations that Golden State wants us to put him,” Hill said.
Those situations include a “Draymond Green role,” as Looney put, where he’ll be able to show his versatility at the power forward position.
“He can do a lot of things with the basketball, especially for his size,” Hill said.
Looney is just hoping he can show what he can do.
“Coming down here I have a chance to practice and play, get some contact in and actually play in some games,” Looney said. “I hope I make a good impression.”
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