The Warriors drafted James Wiseman with the No. 2 overall pick 15 months ago. But for the past 10 months, he had been relegated to spectator status as he rehabbed a torn meniscus in his right knee.
On Tuesday, Wiseman was finally unleashed for his first full contact 5-on-5 session against some team staff members and former players. The 20-year-old addressed the media Wednesday morning before Golden State’s first-half finale against the Denver Nuggets. You can catch the 7 p.m. PT tip-off on 95.7 The Game:
“It went great,” Wiseman said of Tuesday’s scrimmage. “I got a couple dunks. I was running down the court, having fun, smiling. It was pretty cool."
According to Wiseman, he’s in the “final stages” of his rehab but isn’t quite sure when he’ll play 5-on-5 next. The Warriors will have eight days between games, as the second-half opener isn’t until Feb. 24 against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Expectations have been huge for Wiseman ever since his draft day on Nov. 18, 2020. He missed the start of his rookie training camp after testing positive for COVID-19, then navigated through a rocky rookie season that also included a left wrist injury before he landed awkwardly on a dunk attempt on April 10, 2021 and tore his meniscus in his right knee. In December, Wiseman was set back by second arthroscopic surgery as his progress seemed to plateau.
Finally, he’s been cleared for full contact.
“It was very frustrating,” Wiseman said of the past 10 months. “Going through a lot of dark times. Because I’m super competitive, so I wanted to play. Actually seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, it’s a blessing just to be able to still be playing and be able to get back on the court.”
For months, the Warriors have told us Wiseman is “ramping up” his work and he said the 5-on-5 action represented a big milestone. He could be just weeks away from making his sophomore season debut, though the regular season ends in just 53 days.
“It felt like a huge step,” Wiseman said. “Going through a lot of adversity for the past 10 months and actually being able to play 5-on-5, that's a huge step for me.”
In today’s world of instant gratification, some have already been quick to label Wiseman a bust or lump him in with other injured high-profile draft picks like Greg Oden. In reality, it’s still too early to make any declaration on Wiseman’s career.
“I’m not rushing it,” Wiseman said. “I’m in my own race. I’m just trying to become the best version of myself. I just look at it as a marathon. It’s a long race. I’m just trying to take my time.”
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Wiseman will probably be eased into the Warriors rotation when/if he’s healthy enough to return this season after averaging 21.4 minutes, 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in 39 games during his rookie year. His interior presence would be welcome for a severely undermanned Golden State frontcourt that is hinged together by creaky center Kevon Looney.
Warriors forward Juan Toscano-Anderson said he’s been encouraged by Wiseman’s workouts and been telling him to stay locked in. JTA said Wiseman has the full “toolbox” when it comes to potential – size, athleticism, skill and growing strength. Wiseman definitely looks like he’s bulked up his 7-foot frame since his rookie season.
“I just drool at his potential and his capabilities,” Toscano-Anderson said. “He’s protecting the rim, he’s going up to dunks on lobs, pushing the ball in transition, behind-the-back, stepback threes and it’s like, ‘Man. Bro, where did this come from?’ I wish I had all I had all these capabilities. All that said, I’m extremely excited to see him out there under the lights.”
Wiseman said he’s also been leaning on veterans like Klay Thompson, who was his rehab partner from April to January.
“He just told me to take it one day at a time,” Wiseman said. “It’s a long process. I got a long career, hopefully. Really, it’s just taking one day at a time and just keep working hard and don’t give up. Because it’s very easy to give up when you’re going through stuff like that.”
