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Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors claps after a basket during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 05, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Despite experiencing inconsistency at the NBA level this season, the Golden State Warriors have quietly seen a promising development unfold within their pipeline.
Since acquiring rookie guard Deivon Smith from the Atlanta Hawks’ G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks, earlier this month, the Santa Cruz Warriors have quickly seen the benefits of the move.
The 23-year-old initially entered the rotation as a reserve but has rapidly earned greater responsibility, recently breaking into the starting lineup.
Although his stint with Santa Cruz spans just four games, Smith’s immediate production and all-around impact have already turned heads, raising the possibility that Golden State has uncovered an overlooked talent within its system.
Golden State Warriors Prospect Makes Immediate Impact
In a narrow 128-126 loss to the Rip City Remix on Tuesday, Smith delivered another standout performance, finishing with 20 points in 35 minutes.
He shot 6-of-16 from the field, knocked down one three-pointer, and converted all four of his free-throw attempts.
More notably, he added 11 rebounds, six assists, and a steal, highlighting his ability to influence the game far beyond scoring.
Despite standing just six feet tall, it marked Smith’s second consecutive game with double-digit rebounds, an uncommon feat for a guard of his size.
On Sunday, also against Rip City, Smith recorded an eye-catching triple-double in a 118-113 victory, finishing with 16 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. Four of those rebounds came on the offensive glass.
While his shot was not falling consistently, he remained efficient from the free-throw line, going 7-of-9, and continued to impact the game across multiple areas.
Following his acquisition from College Park, Smith was immediately thrown into a back-to-back set against the Memphis Hustle, and it quickly became clear that Santa Cruz had uncovered an intriguing talent.
In his debut, Smith delivered a then career-high 26 points in 31 minutes, shooting an efficient 9-of-18 from the field while knocking down two three-pointers.
He also made his presence felt across the stat sheet, adding five rebounds and seven assists, along with a steal and two blocks, showcasing his defensive instincts and all-around impact.
Increased Opportunity Reveals Overlooked Potential
Smith built on that momentum the very next game, erupting for a career-high 32 points in just 30 minutes off the bench against Memphis.
He shot 9-of-17 from the field, knocked down four three-pointers, and went 5-of-7 from the free-throw line, while also contributing nine rebounds and seven assists.
Through just four appearances with Santa Cruz, Smith has quickly emerged as one of the team’s most impactful and reliable contributors.
His ability to rebound, facilitate, and make hustle players has added a new dimension to the lineup.
Prior to joining Santa Cruz, Smith spent the early part of the season with College Park after being waived by the Hawks following training camp.
Across 20 games, he averaged 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting an efficient 46.4% from the field.
His production notably increased when given extended minutes, revealing flashes of the all-around skillset now fully emerging in Santa Cruz.
With consistent playing time and a defined role, Smith has displayed strong court vision, relentless energy, and a willingness to impact every phase of the game.
If this trajectory continues, Smith could soon position himself as another developmental success story within the Golden State Warriors’ system, reinforcing the organization’s reputation for identifying and nurturing overlooked talent.