“Am I supposed to be here? No. But this is an opportunity to play, to show the coach what I can do. I have to go out there and be a force to be reckoned with.” In one question and two sentences, MarJon Beauchamp has almost said it all. Indeed, we still find him on the Summer League courts, while he was drafted in 24th position in 2022 and has already played 100 games in the NBA.
Participating in a third summer league is rare and not necessarily a good sign. The Bucks winger, even after such a total of games, has not managed to make his place in Milwaukee, averaging only 4.8 points. So doing holiday homework is always necessary for him.
“I asked Doc Rivers and he said he wanted me to play two games. It was up to me to make the decision.”he explains to The Athletic. “I have to do what's necessary to help me be on the field next season. So I make sacrifices, I feel like I have to go out there and play and be myself.”
Since arriving in Milwaukee, MarJon Beauchamp has already had three coaches – Mike Budenholzer, Adrian Griffin and Rivers – without managing to impose himself. The injuries certainly haven't helped, but there is still a long way to go.
“He's a gym rat. People around the franchise know he works hard. This is an opportunity for him to play basketball and show the work he's put in,” explains Pete Dominguez, Milwaukee's Summer League coach. “Development, progression, it's not linear. He works, does what's necessary. He's had three coaches in twelve months, it's a challenge for a young player.”
Make quick decisions
What does he need to do to really make progress? “Doc Rivers is consistent with him: making quick decisions. Shoot, penetrate, pass,” Pete Dominguez list. “We've talked about that with him all summer and I think he's going to show it in Las Vegas. He has the tools to make quick decisions. The most important thing is he plays fast.”
With his already significant NBA experience, finding himself in the Summer League facing rookies is a possibility for MarJon Beauchamp to repeat his efforts, to dominate, and therefore to gain confidence.
“The efforts, the competition will allow you to do these little things. I will carry the ball, but it is already my game,” he analyzes. “One day I'll be able to do it but I still have to work on pick-and-rolls, on reading the action, knowing when to shoot or not. It's about making good decisions, working on that.”
| MarJon Beauchamp | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2022-23 | MIL | 52 | 14 | 39.5 | 33.1 | 73.0 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 5.1 |
| 2023-24 | MIL | 48 | 13 | 48.8 | 40.0 | 67.9 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 4.4 |
| Total | 100 | 13 | 43.3 | 35.5 | 70.8 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 4.8 | |
How to read the stats? GM = Games Played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots Made / Shots Attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers Attempted; LF = Free Throws Made / Free Throws Attempted; Off = Offensive Rebound; Def = Defensive Rebound; Tot = Total Rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal Fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose Balls; Ct: Blocks; Pts = Points.
