Ryan Rollins is just 23 years old, with less than 1,000 minutes of action on an NBA floor, but he is slated to be a major part of the Milwaukee Bucks’ backcourt this season. Splitting time between the one and two, playing lockdown defense while tasked with growing as a playmaker, he has a lot on his shoulders. Doc Rivers has already said how excited he is to see what Rollins can do. Now, Giannis Antetokounmpo has signed his own name to the Rollins’ hype train, a major vote of confidence for the young Toledo alum.
Rollins has already made major strides from last season
Coming out of the unheralded Toledo basketball program as the 44th pick in 2022 is part of Rollins’ underdog story. He broke his foot as a rookie in Golden State and saw his first real chance last year for the Bucks. He made the most of it, starting 19 games and going from a two-way to a standard contract by season’s end. He did all of it playing through a shoulder injury. In free agency, the Bucks gave him a deal for three years and $12 million.
Apr 6, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers and guard Ryan Rollins (13) walk to the locker room after the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
The head coach, the front office, and the face of the franchise are all behind Rollins in staunch support. In Giannis’s media availability Wednesday, reporters asked him for his thoughts on his teammate.
“I love, I love, I love Ryan Rollins. He’s improved a lot this year. His confidence is at an all-time high right now. That’s the first thing I noticed. Playing with great pace, able to get downhill, makes incredible reads either for himself or the way he creates for open threes,” Giannis said. “Defensively he’s always solid, always going to get his hands into the ball, always going to his hands very, very well. He’s a great rebounder. He’s definitely taken a step from last year.”
Rollins proved last year that he can hit open looks and play excellent defense. He has shown glimpses as a creator, but that is the area in which he has the most room to grow, particularly as a member of the point guard rotation. Hearing Giannis gush over his aggression and decision making is almost too much to take for Bucks fans already high on Rollins as a breakout candidate.
Mar 30, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) shoots during the first quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Rollins has a real shot to break the starting unit at some point this season. That could be at point guard if Kevin Porter Jr. starts slow, or at the two if Rivers decides to use AJ Green or Gary Trent Jr. off the bench while using the other as a small-ball three. However the Bucks deploy Rollins, Antetokounmpo’s praise should only pique fan enthusiasm more.
“I’m excited,” Giannis added. “I don’t know if he’s going to be in the starting lineup or come off the bench, but he’s definitely going to be a big piece of our team.”
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