NBA
Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick shares his thoughts on an undrafted rookie, highlighting his impressive potential during the NBA preseason with the team.
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By Alexander Rosquez
By Alexander Rosquez
The undrafted player impressed in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ final preseason game, leading a fourth-quarter comeback against the Milwaukee Bucks. Coach JJ Redick shared his thoughts on the player’s performance.
Quincy Olivari scored 11 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and dished out 2 assists, including 3 three-pointers, helping the Lakers outscore the Bucks by 13 points in the fourth quarter. His performance against the Bucks could open doors for a two-way contract, either with the Lakers or another team.
Coach JJ Redick praised Olivari’s performance and, via Spectrum SportsNet, compared him to Ray Allen, emphasizing Allen’s commitment to always giving his best effort every minute he was on the court. “Ray Allen used to always say that every time you step on the floor, it’s essentially a tryout. There are always people watching you. Guys have earned roster spots through their play in Summer League, training camp, preseason games, and even garbage-time minutes in regular-season games. So, I don’t take what that group did lightly at all. Really impressive,” said Redick.
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“I thought, in particular, Quincy (Olivari) completely changed the game. And to me, and I told our guys this afterward, what he did is the blueprint for what we’re asking from a few of our players: picking up full court, being disruptive, and taking time off the shot clock. He executed exactly what we want from someone in his position. We’ve challenged several guys, and they’ve done it well to varying degrees, but I haven’t seen it executed that well until tonight with Quincy,” Redick added.
Keaton Wallace #22 of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles the ball past Quincy Olivari #41 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half of a 2024 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers defeated the Hawks 87-86. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
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Olivari’s Future with the Lakers
Although the Lakers currently have three two-way contracts filled, the team may consider releasing one to make room for Olivari. “Quincy has been in our gym for a couple of months, not just since the Summer League. He has an infectious spirit and soul about him. It’s not that he’s super talkative or boisterous, but he carries himself well, with intent. His work ethic is really high, and I think people respond to that. When you have someone who cares, who’s a good teammate, who does all the right things, and then comes into a game, picking up full court with a bloody mouth and changing the entire dynamic for us as a team, it’s easy to respond to that as a teammate and as a coaching staff. I thought he really lit a fire for us,” Redick said.
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Alexander Rosquez
Alexander Rosquez is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, who joined Bolavip in June 2024. With a degree in Social Communication and a specialization in sports, Alexander brings over 15 years of media experience. He completed his academic studies in Zulia, Venezuela. Throughout his career, Alexander has covered a wide range of sports events, including soccer, MLB, and NBA. His expertise lies in real-time coverage of competitions across various globally relevant sports leagues. Prior to joining Bolavip, Alexander gained extensive experience in MLB and soccer coverage for both national and international media outlets. His discipline in sports event coverage and meticulous attention to detail make him a valuable asset to the Bolavip team. Alexander’s passion for sports and his clear, precise communication style set him apart as a standout writer in the sports arena.
- JJ Redick
- Los Angeles Lakers
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