SAN FRANCISCO — Rookie center Alen Smailagic is practicing with the Warriors’ G League affiliate in Santa Cruz and could play as soon as Friday, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Wednesday.
Smailagic, the No. 39 pick in June’s draft, sprained his right ankle on the second day of training camp and has slowly progressed out of a walking boot and onto the court. After a few rehab workouts in Santa Cruz and Golden State, last week he began accelerated basketball activities before participating in full practices. The Santa Cruz Warriors play the Iowa Wolves on Friday.
Despite having only nine available players as of Wednesday, the Warriors don’t anticipate bringing Smailagic up for NBA games soon.