Taken with the 53rd overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, Charles Bassey quickly found support among the Philadelphia 76ers fan base as a potential cheap, backup center option in the franchise’s never-ending quest to stay afloat in non-Joel Embiid minutes. His strong performance against the Denver Nuggets in November 2021 was a coming-out party of sorts for Bassey; in under 20 minutes of action, he tallied 12 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks, while doing an excellent job defending reigning MVP Nikola Jokic.
Sixers head coach Doc Rivers praised Bassey’s effort after the game, per SI:
“Bassey was great.