Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins has taken a moment to reflect on the challenges he’s faced on the basketball court. His efforts have paid off this season, as his breakout performance has put him among the top contenders for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award.
“Things don’t go how you wanted to in the first place, and then things hit the fan,” Rollins remarked via Andscape’s Marc Spears.
“And when those things happen, you can see two ways to go about it: You keep going, or you just stop. I didn’t stop. And as you keep going, do the things the right way — how they are supposed to be done — and hope for the best.”
The Bucks guard is posting career highs with 17 points, 5.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 32.2 minutes per game, nearly tripling his scoring and assist numbers from last season. The 23-year-old guard has also set personal bests with 58 games played and 51 starts, and Milwaukee still has 22 regular-season games remaining.
Ryan Rollins before joining the Bucks
Dec 23, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers guard/forward Bennedict Mathurin (00) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
The Golden State Warriors chose the former University of Toledo star with the 44th pick in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft, but his start in the league was challenging. He appeared in just 12 games before a foot injury required season-ending surgery. About five months later, he, along with Jordan Poole and Patrick Baldwin Jr., was traded to the Washington Wizards in a deal that brought veteran guard Chris Paul to Golden State.
Rollins struggled with his early role in Washington, seeing the majority of his minutes in the G League. His time with the Wizards concluded on January 8, 2024, when he was released after participating in only 10 games.
Feb 24, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter (7) reacts with guard AJ Green (20) and guard Ryan Rollins (13) after scoring a basket late in the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
The main reason Washington released Rollins was his legal trouble, as he faced seven petty larceny charges in Alexandria, Virginia, for repeatedly shoplifting small household items from a Target store in 2023.
He briefly went back to his hometown of Detroit, and then on February 21, 2024, the Bucks signed Rollins to a two-way contract. Head coach Doc Rivers stated that Rollins’ previous issues in Washington did not factor into the team’s decision.
Breaking out with the Bucks
December 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) shoots the basketball during practice prior to the Emirates NBA Cup semi-finals at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Rollins saw action in only three games for the Bucks during the 2023-24 season and added 11 appearances with their G League team, the Wisconsin Herd. He cited veteran guards Damian Lillard, Malik Beasley, and Patrick Beverley as key influences on his development. Rollins cemented his place as an NBA-level player in 2024-25, posting averages of 6.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists over 53 games.
Nov 1, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts with guard Ryan Rollins (13) after scoring a basket in the 3rd quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Rollins has established himself as a capable starting point guard for the Bucks. He scored a career-high 32 points in a 120-110 win over the Warriors on October 30, 2025, and recently enjoyed the best month of his NBA career, averaging 20.9 points and 5.3 assists while connecting on 50 percent of his three-point attempts in February.
Rollins and the Bucks take on the Atlanta Hawks Thursday on ESPN at 9:30 p.m. ET.