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Deivon Smith during his time with St John’s in March 2025
Despite dropping seven of their last 11 games entering the All-Star break and their first contest afterwards, the Golden State Warriors returned to the win column on Sunday with a statement performance.
With Brandin Podziemski scoring 12 of his 18 points in the final five minutes of the fourth-quarter, the Warriors overcame a dominant 35-point, 20-rebound, 12-assist triple-double from Nikola Jokic to secure a 128-117 victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Moses Moody, Al Horford, and De’Anthony Melton led the way offensively with 23, 22, and 20 points, respectively, helping Golden State improve to 30-27 on the season.
The win came with Stephen Curry still sidelined due to a lingering knee injury that is expected to keep him out for the foreseeable future.
While the Warriors continue navigating inconsistency at the NBA level, another encouraging storyline has been quietly unfolding within the organization’s developmental ranks.
Golden State Warriors Seeing Early Returns From Undrafted Guard
On Sunday, the Santa Cruz Warriors secured a 118-113 victory over the Rip City Remix in the G League, led by a six-foot guard who has been with the team for just three games but is already generating significant attention.
Undrafted rookie Deivon Smith recorded a triple-double, finishing with 16 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists to lead Santa Cruz.
He added two steals and, despite his size, pulled down four offensive rebounds. Although he shot just 3-of-10 from the field, he knocked down a three pointer and converted 7-of-9 free-throw attempts, demonstrating his ability to impact the game across multiple areas.
Smith’s latest performance continues an impressive stretch since being acquired from the Atlanta Hawks’ G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks, on February 10 in exchange for a first round and second round pick in the 2026 G League Draft.
The 23-year-old was immediately inserted into the line-up during a back-to-back set against the Memphis Hustle, which Santa Cruz split.
In his debut, Smith scored a then career-high 26 points in 31 minutes, shooting 9-of-18 from the field and connecting on two three pointers.
He also contributed five rebounds and seven assists while adding a steal and two blocks, showcasing his defensive instincts and all around impact.
Breakout Performances Suggest Warriors May Have Found Undrafted Gem
Smith followed that performance with an even more impressive outing the following night against Memphis, erupting for a career-high 32 points in just 30 minutes off the bench.
He shot 9-of-17 from the field, knocked down four three pointers, and went 5-of-7 from the free throw line.
Smith added a career-best nine rebounds and seven assists, narrowly missing a triple-double that he would later achieve against Rip City. In just three games, he has already established himself as one of Santa Cruz’s most impactful players.
Smith initially signed a training camp contract with the Atlanta Hawks before the season but saw limited opportunities before being released.
Prior to beginning his professional career, Smith compiled a five-year collegiate resume across Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, Utah, and St. John’s, appearing in 139 games and making 65 starts.
During his lone season at Utah in 2023-24, Smith averaged 12.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.8 assists while shooting an efficient 40.8% from three point range. His strong play earned him a transfer to St. John’s, where he joined Rick Pitino’s program.
Consistent Minutes Help Unlock Smith’s Emerging Potential
Following his release from Atlanta, Smith joined College Park in the G League, where he averaged 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists across 20 appearances while shooting 46.4% from the field.
Although he made just three starts, his production increased significantly when given extended minutes. In those games, Smith averaged 16.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.7 steals in 25.9 minutes per contest.
That pattern has continued in Santa Cruz, where increased opportunity has allowed Smith’s versatility, energy, and playmaking ability to consistently impact winning.
Smith is currently on a standard G League contract, but his early performances suggest he is quickly positioning himself as a player worth monitoring within Golden State’s developmental system.
With his recent trajectory, the Golden State Warriors may have uncovered another overlooked talent capable of earning opportunities at the next level.
