NBA Preseason: 5 surprising players making a splash in early exhibitions

1. James Wiseman puts on a show during his NBA Preseason debut in Japan.

What a way to start the season. Following an impressive display in the NBA’s Summer League, former No. 2 pick James Wiseman dropped 20 points and nine rebounds in the NBA Preseason opener against the Washington Wizards. From the outside looking in, the 21-year-old appears to be rounding into form in a way that lives up to his pre-draft pedigree.

Wiseman looks more comfortable on the court, offering big-time rim protection with his long reach and humongous frame. That, coupled with exceptional agility for a true 7-footer, is great news for the Golden State Warriors as they embark on a quest for a back-to-back Finals victory. Wiseman looked deadly in the pick-and-roll, navigating coverage well and operating within the Warriors’ coveted motion offense in which decisions must be made quickly and concisely.

As he picks up on more of the nuances required to be an NBA center, Wiseman is sure to put together a wicked highlight reel over the course of this season. Generally, young center prospects take some time to get acclimated to the pace and physicality of the NBA. That learning curve has been the undoing of many high-profile prospects such as himself in their early stages.

If he can keep on this trajectory and stay focused on his growth, Wiseman has a chance to be the next developmental success story out of the Bay Area.