Despite becoming Gonzaga University’s all-time leading scorer, Drew Timme was not drafted last June. Eventually, he signed an “Exhibit 10” contract with the Bucks. That is to say a gateway to a “two-way contract”, and therefore more to the G-League than the NBA.
His Summer League has also proven that the interior was no longer, at the professional level, at the center of the game since he had to settle for 9 minutes on average, for 4.3 points at 47% shooting success…
“You have to be ready when your name is called and that’s a good lesson. It’s part of learning.” did he declare for Spokesman. “It’s obvious that it’s different and you have to learn to be effective on short sequences. You have to be in immediately. »
Was Drew Timme surprised or even disappointed not to be part of the 2023 draft draft?
“I wouldn’t say I expected to be drafted but, at the same time, I couldn’t imagine not being drafted either, so to speak,” he answers. “We suspect it, but we always keep a little hope. Things didn’t turn out the way I had imagined. »
“It’s pretty good to go from the top to the bottom, and fight again to get things done”
In the process, Jon Horst, the GM of the Bucks, calls the former Gonzaga to offer him a contract. Drew Timme had certainly received other offers but he signed up with the 2021 champions.
“It was crazy. Milwaukee was my first call,” he specifies. “It seemed to be perfect. The coach would also lead the Summer League team. It’s a great franchise and it was a great opportunity. I did not hesitate long to accept. »
Adrian Griffin, who replaces Mike Budenholzer on the bench, was effectively in charge of the Summer League team. The new Bucks player was therefore able to show himself to try to convince him to integrate him this season.
“Drew is cast in the same mold as me”, notes the new coach, who was also not drafted. “We’re not the most athletic players, but we play with our brains. We are not fast, but calm and we know how to face the pressure. »
Drew Timme will have to get his “two-way contract”, or more if he is really good, and his minutes in the NBA this season, within a very ambitious team, which aims for the title. A challenge he likes.
“It’s pretty good to go from the top to the bottom, and to fight again to get things. It’s always fun to prove things to yourself, to prove to others that you can succeed. We will have to work hard and that makes me happy. It’s different and it’s a nice change of pace. I am eager to learn new things. »
