Spurs' Charles Bassey: Surprises with double-double
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Bassey finished Sunday's 121-116 victory over the Pelicans with 16 points (6-12 FG, 4-7 FT), 12 rebounds and four blocks over 18 minutes.
Bassey did most of his damage during Victor Wembanyama's brief absence, logging seven points, a rebound and a blocked shot in the first quarter. Sunday was easily his best game of the season, but it would take an extended absence from Wembanyama for the shot-block specialist to have significant fantasy value.
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Spurs' Charles Bassey: Swats six shots Thursday
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Bassey racked up 11 points (5-9 FG, 1-2 FT), nine rebounds, one assist, six blocks and one steal in 27 minutes during Thursday's 126-118 victory over the Jazz.
Bassey was efficient as a scorer and aggressive on the glass, but there's no doubt that he made his biggest impact as a rim protector. The six blocks were a career-high mark for the big man, who might continue to enjoy extra minutes off the bench as long as Victor Wembanyama (knee) remains sidelined.
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Spurs' Charles Bassey: Recalled from G League
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The Spurs recalled Bassey from the G League's Austin Spurs on Monday.
Bassey spent a single day with Austin to open training camp. When San Antonio is at full strength, Bassey will have a difficult time cracking the rotation.
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Spurs' Charles Bassey: Cleared to play Tuesday
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Bassey (knee) will suit up for Tuesday's preseason game against the Heat, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports.
Bassey is cleared to make his first appearance since tearing his ACL in December of 2023. He's competing for backup center minutes with Zach Collins and Sandro Mamukelashvili.
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Spurs' Charles Bassey: Another absence coming
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Bassey (knee) won't play in Saturday's preseason game versus the Jazz, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports.
Bassey will miss his third straight preseason contest as he works his way back from a torn ACL he suffered in December of 2023. His next chance to suit up is Tuesday's preseason matchup with Miami.
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Spurs' Charles Bassey: Remains out
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Bassey (knee) won't play in Wednesday's preseason game against the Magic, Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com reports.
Bassey is working his way back from a torn ACL in his left knee that he sustained last December. Coach Gregg Popovich said Monday that Bassey returned to 5-on-5 drills during training camp, so he may return to game action before the preseason ends.
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Spurs' Charles Bassey: Progressing through knee injury
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Head coach Greg Popovich said Monday that Bassey (knee) has participated in 5-on-5 drills during training camp, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Bassey is in the final stages of his recovery from a torn ACL in his left knee that he sustained in December. He was limited during training camp, but the 23-year-old appears to be progressing nicely through his rehab program. He won't suit up Monday against the Thunder, but Bassey could see some playing time during the preseason, with his next opportunity being Wednesday against the Magic.
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Spurs' Charles Bassey: Returning to San Antonio
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The Spurs signed Bassey (knee) to a one-year, $2.2 million contract Tuesday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Bassey made just 19 appearances for the Spurs in 2023-24 before suffering a torn ACL. While he is expected to return in the first half of the 2024-25 campaign, Bassey will likely compete for depth minutes in San Antonio's frontcourt.
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Charles Bassey: Waived by San Antonio
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The Spurs waived Bassey (knee) on Monday, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Bassey's release was a necessity after the team acquired Harrison Barnes via trade and signed Chris Paul. However, the team could look to bring the 23-year-old back if he clears waivers. Bassey's 2023-24 season was cut short in December by a torn ACL, but he made 19 appearances prior and averaged 3.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.9 blocks across 10.8 minutes per game.
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Spurs' Charles Bassey: Solid garbage-time production
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Bassey produced 10 points (5-5 FG), three rebounds, one assist and three steals over 17 minutes during Monday's 152-111 loss to the Pacers.
San Antonio trailed by 32 points entering the fourth quarter Monday, so benches were emptied early in the contest. Nonetheless, the 23-year-old capitalized to the fullest with perfect shooting from the field and admirable defensive activity.
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Spurs' Charles Bassey: Hauls in five rebounds
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Bassey racked up two points (1-1 FG), five rebounds, two assists and one steal across 13 minutes during Wednesday's 126-119 loss to the Mavericks.
Bassey had minimal shot volume off the bench Wednesday, but he was effective on the boards during the narrow defeat. The 22-year-old has limited fantasy upside during the 2023-24 campaign after the Spurs drafted Victor Wembanyama during the offseason, and he can be safely left on waiver wires as long as the team's frontcourt is healthy.
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Spurs' Charles Bassey: Pounds glass in loss
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Bassey supplied six points (3-5 FG), 12 rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 16 minutes during Monday's 122-121 preseason loss to the Thunder.
Bassey has an argument to be San Antonio's most physical rebounder, which could help him carve out a platoon roll when Zach Collins isn't on the court. Bassey was sharp in the G League last season, averaging 22.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 blocks per game across 10 starts.
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Spurs' Charles Bassey: Healthy for start of camp
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Coach Gregg Popovich said Thursday that Bassey (kneecap) has been "full speed" in practice to begin training camp, Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Bassey missed the end of last season due to a non-displaced fracture of his left patella, but he appears to be healthy as the Spurs prepare for the preseason. He was limited to just 35 appearances in the NBA while splitting time between the G League and parent club last year, but he averaged 5.7 points and 5.5 rebounds in 14.5 minutes per game with San Antonio.
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Spurs' Charles Bassey: Likely done for season
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Bassey is likely out for the rest of the 2022-23 campaign after the Spurs confirmed Wednesday that the big man suffered a non-displaced fracture of his left patella during Tuesday's win over the Magic, Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Bassey was set to undergo further testing Wednesday after an initial diagnosis Tuesday presumed the fracture, and the second-year center didn't get positive news from those scans. Before the injury, Bassey had carved out a nice backup role in San Antonio, posting 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 blocks and 0.7 steals in 17.2 minutes over his past 10 appearances (one start). However, he'll now have to turn his sights on preparing for the 2023-24 campaign. Bassey signed a four-year, $10.2 million deal with San Antonio in February, so the Spurs have faith they can develop the 23-year-old into a solid rotational piece over the next few years. In his absence, more minutes could be in store for Sandro Mamukelashvili and Gorgui Dieng.
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Spurs' Charles Bassey: Suffers knee fracture
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Bassey will undergo additional tests Wednesday after an initial diagnosis of the injury he suffered in Tuesday's 132-114 win over the Magic revealed a non-displaced fracture in his left patella, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Bassey scored two points (1-2 FG) and added two assists, one steal and one block in eight minutes before exiting the contest with the left knee injury. Heading into the contest, the second-year big man was averaging 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocks in 17.2 minutes across his last 10 appearances. The Spurs will presumably put Bassey through additional tests before confirming the diagnosis, but he looks as though he could be in danger of missing the rest of the season.
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Spurs' Charles Bassey: Won't return with knee issue
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Bassey will not return to Tuesday's game against Orlando due to a left knee injury, Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
This is a tough blow for the Spurs, as Bassey has been solid off the bench in recent weeks. He'll finish the game with two points, two assists, one steal and one block in eight minutes. If Bassey misses additional time, the Spurs could turn to Sandro Mamukelashvili.
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Spurs' Charles Bassey: Returns to bench
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Bassey isn't in the starting five for Friday's game versus Denver.
Zach Collins will replace Bassey in the starting lineup Friday. Bassey is averaging 8.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 blocks in 16.7 minutes across his previous seven outings coming off the bench this season.
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Spurs' Charles Bassey: Starting Sunday
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Bassey will start Sunday against the Rockets, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Bassey will earn the second start of his career with Zach Collins out with an undisclosed injury, and he looks like an attractive streamer with a favorable matchup against the Rockets. In his only previous start this season (Dec. 14 vs. POR), Bassey put up six points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 20 minutes.
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Spurs' Charles Bassey: Grabs 11 boards
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Bassey amassed four points (2-10 FG, 0-2 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 14 minutes during Wednesday's 120-110 loss to Charlotte.
Bassey has now played in two straight games after missing most of January and a good chunk of February tending to a leg injury. He's been unable to provide much on the offensive end, but he's secured eight and 11 rebounds in his two appearances this week. Bassey should continue to serve as the backup center to Zach Collins after the break.
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Spurs' Charles Bassey: Available to play
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Bassey (leg) will be available to play Monday versus the Cavs, independent NBA writer Matthew Tynan reports.
This will be Bassey's first game since Jan. 7, so he'll likely have his minutes monitored Monday night. He's returning to a much different situation in San Antonio with Jakob Poeltl now in Toronto, so he could be operating as Zach Collins' backup. However, he's shown this season that he's capable of putting up fantasy-relevant stat lines even if he doesn't clear the 20-minute mark, so keep an eye on him.
