The Indiana Pacers selected UCLA Bruins power forward T.J. Leaf with the 18th pick in the 2017 draft. The 20-year-old spent one season with the Bruins, where he averaged 16.3 points on 61.7 percent from the field.
So far through his first season in the NBA, Leaf has seen limited time with the Pacers. Instead, he has spent time with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the Pacers official G-League affiliate.
Although some rookies may view the G-League as a waste of time, Leaf uses the opportunity to improve upon his craft.
According to the Indy Star’s Dakota Crawford, Leaf embraces the G-League and is ready to do whatever Pacers management asks of him.