When the kid asked him how to make it to the NBA, Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole had some sage advice for a young fan.
A young kid named Landon Bell posted on his Instagram a clip of him with Poole, sharing the story of his encounter with the 25-year-old guard at the NBA Summer League. Bell asked Poole about his journey to the NBA and what advice he has for those who dream of making it to the league.
“Just keep grinding, bro. Always take care of school, but always have fun. Basketball is a super fun sport, so keep working, and make sure you have a good time,” Poole told Bell.
“Keep going, bro. It’ll be tough, but it’s always worth it. So, if you’re in the gym more than anybody else, you’ll have a good shot,” Poole added.
The 28th overall pick of the Golden State Warriors in 2019, Poole had a rough first two seasons with the team. The team’s poor roster composition marred his first season, while his second was at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jordan Poole involved in a regrettable incident with Draymond Green
Jordan Poole became an integral part of the Golden State Warriors’ rotation in the 2021-22 season after spending time in the NBA G League in his first years. He averaged 18.5 points as a starter and a reserve, helping the team win the championship that year.
Things changed for the worse for Poole in the season that followed, when then-teammate Draymond Green punched him during practice, affecting the team’s chemistry. The Warriors then traded Poole to the Washington Wizards last season, where he had a weak first year. He only averaged 17.4 points on a terrible 41.3 field goal percentage.
That incident of Green punching Poole shook the Warriors to their core, and it’s still fresh in the minds of everyone in the organization. Green opened up about the incident and expressed his regrets for his actions.
“When I took J.P. (Jordan Poole) under my wing, and to see him have success was the best thing for me. One of the worst feelings I’ve ever had as an NBA basketball player was seeing him get a contract and knowing that I [expletive] it off, and I couldn’t celebrate his contract with him,” said Green.
“I think he had a party or something with his people in San Francisco, and to not be able to go celebrate that with him, I [expletive] it off,” he added.
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