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Charles Bassey during his first stint with the Philadelphia 76ers in October 2022
Despite experiencing inconsistency at the NBA level this season, the Golden State Warriors have remained proactive in strengthening their development pipeline.
Recent performances from rookie guard Deivon Smith with G League affiliate Santa Cruz have generated growing attention, while the signing of Nate Williams to a two-way contract from the Brooklyn Nets’ affiliate has looked like a smart, low-risk addition.
Santa Cruz had also quietly secured veteran forward/center Charles Bassey in December, adding frontcourt depth and experience within the system.
However, after an impressive run of form, Bassey was poached by the Philadelphia 76ers in late January on consecutive 10-day contracts, highlighting the ongoing demand for productive G League big men.
Golden State Warriors Regain Frontcourt Option After NBA Stint
Because Santa Cruz held Bassey’s returning player rights, previously acquired in a trade with the Delaware Blue Coats, he reverted back to the Warriors organization after his 10-day deals expired.
The 25-year-old wasted little time making an impact in his return. In 33 minutes against the Rip City Remix on Tuesday, Bassey recorded 24 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block while shooting an efficient 11-of-18 from the field.
His return provides Golden State with another valuable opportunity to evaluate an experienced frontcourt option who still possesses upside in his mid-20s.
Bassey has already appeared in 116 NBA games since entering the league as a second-round pick in 2021, including a three-year stint with the San Antonio Spurs, giving him a level of experience rarely seen among G League big men.
During his recent stretch with Philadelphia, Bassey appeared in one NBA game but continued to dominate at the G League level with the Blue Coats.
Across three appearances, he averaged 21.0 points, 15.3 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.6 blocks while shooting 62.5% from the field and even knocking down 5-of-9 three-point attempts, showcasing his evolving offensive skill set.
Bassey Continues to Establish Himself as Elite G League Producer
Across 11 games with the Warriors this season, Bassey has averaged 19.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks in 28.3 minutes per game, firmly establishing himself as one of the league’s most impactful interior players.
His combined average of 11.8 rebounds per game between Santa Cruz and Delaware ranks eighth in the entire G League, while his 2.2 blocks per contest sit 11th overall, reinforcing his defensive presence.
One of his most dominant performances came earlier this year against his former team, the Austin Spurs, when he erupted for a season-high 34 points in 34 minutes.
In that outing, he shot 13-of-22 from the field, connected on three three-pointers, and added 13 rebounds and three blocks in a complete two-way display.
Despite his continued production, Bassey remains on a standard G League contract with the Warriors, largely because his eligibility for a two-way deal has expired.
That status leaves him freely available to NBA teams seeking immediate frontcourt depth without compensation.
Philadelphia has already taken advantage of that flexibility, and given his continued dominance, another NBA opportunity appears increasingly likely before the season concludes.
As the season unfolds, situations like this become more common. Teams frequently turn to proven G League contributors for short-term reinforcements, and based on his current trajectory, Bassey looks well positioned to earn another call-up in the near future.
Matt Evans is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, based in Paris, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA and wider global sport. More about Matt Evans
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