SAN ANTONIO — Dominick Barlow is receiving high marks for preseason play as his basketball education continues.
"Dom is learning basketball. He's gotten better every year," head coach Gregg Popovich said. "He's starting to play confidently."
Playing with confidence will be a significant next step for the 20-year-old basketball player's development which started during the 2023 San Antonio Spurs Summer League.
Barlow, who went undrafted in 2022, averaged a respectable 11.7 points per game along with 7.2 rebounds and 60% shooting from the field in 11 games.
That impressive 11 games-stretch set a solid foundation for him to carry into the upcoming season.
And his teammate Devin Vassell has much confidence that Barlow's development will continue the upward trend stemming from the summer games.
"I'm high on Barlow," Vassell said. "He gets to his spots. Through Summer League we've seen him get to his spots. He knocks down his shot. On both ends of the floor, he'll be a good piece for us."
In the preseason home game versus Miami, Barlow flashed confidence with 11 points, and two rebounds, and connected on four shots and a three-pointer.
It was his best performance so far in the preseason and that shooting confidence displayed against the Heat did not go unnoticed by Popovich.
"Shooting shots. He was afraid of those (shot attempts) a year ago. He's doing well," he said.
It remains to be seen if Barlow will remain on the San Antonio squad or play in Austin with the G League team as he did last season.
It's likely he will split time between San Antonio and Austin which might be best for him to further his development and confidence.
After signing a two-way contract with the Spurs in 2022, the forward posted 16.0 points per game, 55% field goal shooting, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 18 games played in Austin.
"The G League has been great for him getting those minutes," Popovich added.
Whether he is in Austin or San Antonio, one thing is for sure, Vassell is eager to help Barlow improve. He vows he will do his part to ensure his teammate will become a key for the Spurs.
But for Vassell, it all begins with Barlow's confidence.
"I'm going to instill confidence into him," said Vassell. "He's going to be a key piece when he gets in and gets minutes."
Vassell is also hoping Barlow's aggressiveness will improve and see him not force the action on the hardwood.
"He's going to have to play aggressive and be confident. There's a time when he has to let the game come to him and him just being confident," he said.
All the tools are there for the 6-9 forward to be another success story for the Spurs.
His length, defensive awareness, youth, and budding potential on both ends of the court have him poised to take a big leap this season. He's also the first player from Overtime Elite to make an NBA roster averaging 14.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
He's brimming with potential and with Popovich and Vassell's belief in him to improve, that might be a tremendous confidence boost he needs to start the new season.
Said Vassell, "I'm high and Barlow."
Twitter: @KENS5, @JeffGSpursKENS5
