Theo Maledon didn’t turn 19 until June, but he has more years of professional experience than even some young players in the NBA.
The Oklahoma City Thunder announced Tuesday that they have received the draft rights to Maledon, who was selected with the 34th pick in the 2020 NBA draft, from the Philadelphia 76ers in a trade that also netted OKC Al Horford.
Though Horford and Maledon are far apart in NBA years, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault says he sees experience and maturity in the rookie already.
“For a younger player that’s just been drafted, he has a good amount of experience. He’s played at a high level in Europe,” Daigneault said. “Has a certain maturity about him because of it.”
Maledon first joined LNB Pro A, the top league in France, in 2017 just four months after he turned 16 years old. He has played three LNB Pro A seasons, two years of EuroCup and one of EuroLeague.
Last season, Maledon averaged 6.5 points, 1.9 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 15.6 minutes per game with ASVEL. In EuroLeague, he posted 7.4 points and 3.1 assists in 17.7 minutes, and increased his shooting percentages to a respectable 45.6% from the field and 36.7% from 3.
“You can tell he’s a guy that’s been around pros and been around the pro game,” Daigneault said. “He’s a mature person for his age and has a mature way of seeing the game.”
Maledon has yet to practice with the team. He is expected to compete for a backup guard spot along with Ty Jerome and Frank Jackson. Depending on how the starting lineup shapes up, George Hill could also come off the bench as a sixth man at guard.
