Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis Reflects on NBA All-Star Weekend Success

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – On the final day of the NBA All-Star Weekend, Golden State Warriors center Trayce Jackson-Davis found himself in awe as he participated in the event on his home court. Jackson-Davis played a pivotal role in Chris Mullin’s Rising Stars team, which triumphed in the revamped tournament on Friday night, securing a spot in the All-Star Game scheduled for Sunday against Shaquille O'Neal‘s OGs team, featuring numerous current superstars and future Hall of Famers.

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Despite LeBron James opting out for physical precaution, the star-studded lineup included Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown, all acclaimed athletes with a strong likelihood of reaching the Hall of Fame. However, for Jackson-Davis, the highlight was facing off against his teammate Curry. “Just seeing everyone there, kind of being starstruck, just seeing all the guys – I thought that was a really cool experience,” Jackson-Davis noted in an interview with NBC Sports Bay Area after a shootaround at Golden 1 Center on Friday.

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Following a successful rookie season where he narrowly missed All-Rookie honors by one vote, Jackson-Davis prepared for a competitive second year by practicing with the USA Basketball Men’s Select Team earlier this year. This experience not only sharpened his skills but also boosted his confidence, especially knowing Warriors coach Steve Kerr endorsed this opportunity. “It just shows that you belong,” Jackson-Davis mentioned. “I just got to continue to grind, continue to work hard and I know if I do that I’ll reap the fruits of my labor.”

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Jackson-Davis achieved his first start during the Warriors’ last game of 2023, scoring 17 points against the Dallas Mavericks. However, he faced a rocky start to the new season, navigating a fluctuating role due to the absence of positional depth as the Warriors retained veteran Kevon Looney but did not bolster the center position significantly. As Jackson-Davis started the first 17 games of the season, the team had a record of 12-5.

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Nevertheless, his consistency waned as he started only three games in the last month and received five DNPs (Did Not Play), including two before the All-Star break. “I know that opportunity is going to come around again,” Jackson-Davis remarked. “Just always staying ready and always being ready to go.”

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Reflecting on his growth, Jackson-Davis believes he has matured significantly since his rookie season, noting, “I think this year, I’m a lot more mature. I felt like last year there were certain times where I really didn’t understand what was going on, especially being from college and starting every game, playing the majority of minutes.” He emphasized his commitment to doing what is needed for the team to succeed.

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With the Warriors season unfolding, Jackson-Davis has developed a skill set vital for the team’s success, including rim protection, running the floor, setting strong screens, and facilitating from the post. Meanwhile, Jackson-Davis aims to expand his offensive arsenal, particularly by incorporating three-point shooting into his game during the upcoming offseason. “That’s definitely something that I want to implement into my game,” he expressed. “I feel like it will open a lot of things up.”

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Throughout the season, various players have stepped up to contribute to the Warriors’ efforts, including rookie players like Post and Gui Santos, while assistant coach Anthony Vereen has played an instrumental role in maintaining Jackson-Davis’s positive mindset, especially during tougher times.

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As he approaches his 25th birthday, Jackson-Davis has recognized the importance of being prepared for any opportunity. “Sometimes it may not be you, but at the end of the day with coach, he’s going to call your name when you least expect it,” he warned. “So, you just always have to be ready for those scenarios.”