Portland Trail Blazers rookie forward Trendon Watford is unexpectedly putting together a solid debut season.
His numbers aren’t eye-popping (4.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game), but Watford has provided valuable, consistent play for a thin Blazers roster. During a season which has crumbled into a chase for ping pong balls, the underdog story and progression of an undrafted rookie on a two-way contract is one of Portland’s most exciting developments.
In an extensive, revealing piece for The Athletic, writer Jason Quick chronicled Watford’s journey to becoming an NBA player and two moments that defined his path.