Despite a season-ending injury, former Michigan State star Denzel Valentine took a step forward with the Bulls in the 2017-18 season.
While the NBA season is still progressing, the year is over for one former Spartan. Denzel Valentine has had his second season in the league cut short following arthroscopic knee surgery on Wednesday afternoon.
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Although he didn’t suffer a major knee injury, it was enough to end his second season which brought plenty of improvements to the former Spartan’s game.
Denzel Valentine underwent successful arthroscopic knee surgery today, performed by Dr. Brian Cole. Bulls expecting quick recovery. Valentine said he would walk out of hospital today
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) April 4, 2018
As a rookie in 2016-17, Valentine seemed as if he had a difficult time adjusting to the NBA’s speed and athleticism and he struggled with his confidence. He finished the year with 57 games played, averaging 5.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting 35 percent from both the floor and beyond the arc.
In his second year, Valentine showed great improvements in just about every statistical category. In fact, he averaged 10.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 41 percent from the floor and 38 percent from 3-point range. He also played in 20 more games and started 37.
Valentine’s growth follows the path of a former Spartan great turned NBA All-Star.
For reference, Draymond Green averaged 2.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists while shooting 32 percent from the floor and 20 percent from 3-point range as a rookie in the NBA. As a second-year player, he put up 6.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists, shooting 41 percent from the floor and 33 percent from deep.
While I’m not saying Denzel is on the same career path as Draymond, his career trajectory could be similar. With more confidence and an improved stroke, Valentine could be one of the better young small forwards in the NBA.
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Development is crucial from year one to two and Denzel showed that he has room to grow and his potential is there. The Bulls have a solid player returning in year three.