Warriors’ Gui Santos: The Brazilian Rising Star Facing NBA Challenges

SAN FRANCISCO – Gui Santos experienced a unique moment during the 2022 NBA Finals, witnessing a sea of yellow shirts at Chase Center as he participated in a pre-draft workout on the Warriors’ practice court. The Warriors, known for their winning culture, had captivated audiences around the world, including those in Brazil. But as Santos reflects on that day, he now understands the enormity of reaching those heights.

“I didn’t have the understanding of how big and how hard it is to get there,” Santos told NBC Sports Bay Area. “But then when I got here the season after they were champions, I saw how hard it is to make the Finals.”

Following their fourth championship in eight years, the Warriors were on the clock during the draft, selecting Santos as the 28th overall pick after making trades to acquire more talent. For the 20-year-old Santos, stepping into a successful team was both daunting and exciting. But he found guidance from fellow Brazilian and Warriors champion Leandro Barbosa, who had been his mentor.

Barbosa, a veteran player who had shared the court with Santos in Brazil, posted a picture of him on Instagram during the draft process, allowing Santos to feel a sense of calm amid the chaos. However, only two months later, Barbosa transitioned to the Sacramento Kings, leaving Santos as the sole current NBA player from Brazil.

“It’s amazing,” Santos said about representing his country in the NBA. “It’s good when you’re playing well, but it’s tough when you’re not.” Despite external pressures to score more, Santos emphasizes the importance of his contributions to a star-laden team that includes players like Steph Curry and Draymond Green.

<p“Everything I do, I try to mention Brazil because that’s where I grew up, that’s where I was born, that’s where I learned everything,” Santos explained.

Throughout his first season, Santos played primarily with the Warriors’ G League affiliate, Santa Cruz, where he focused on enhancing his skills and conditioning. In the previous season, Santos only saw limited action in 23 games with the Warriors, averaging 8.3 minutes per game. His contract was not guaranteed heading into this season, and he made a handful of appearances for Santa Cruz.

Despite the challenges, Santos became a critical player for the Warriors as the season progressed, appearing in 56 regular-season games and boasting a fifth-best cumulative plus/minus on the team, indicating his positive impact while on the court.

Head Coach Steve Kerr frequently highlighted Santos’ contributions, commenting on how much the team missed him during the regular-season finale against the LA Clippers, which had significant implications for their playoff positioning.

“It’s not slow. It’s very fast,” Santos said of his pre-game ritual of listening to Brazilian funk music. “I put it on before the game to get ready to go out there and bring some energy.”

Whenever he steps onto the court, Santos challenges himself to grab at least two offensive rebounds, and he successfully helped push the Warriors into playoff contention during a critical game against the Houston Rockets by securing three offensive rebounds in just six minutes of play.

“Our points per possession when we get offensive rebounds is through the roof,” teammate Brandin Podziemski noted. “Any extra possession we get, it’s going to benefit us.”

In a recent game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Santos showcased his skills, securing a rebound and scoring a contested layup that energized the crowd and extended the team’s lead.

“It’s important to have some guys who play with emotion and get the crowd going,” said teammate Quinten Post. “Gui brings that energy every day.”

Santos embodies the spirit of Brazil, channeling his cultural roots into his performance for the Warriors and fostering pride among Brazilian fans. With each game, he not only represents himself but the hopes of a nation supporting his journey in the NBA.