“Year three is going to be big,” said Wesley.
SAN ANTONIO — With the San Antonio Spurs 2023-24 season over, the players will now evaluate their areas for improvement ahead of next season.
And guard Blake Wesley aims to accomplish three goals before next season, starting with an improved three-point shot.
“Same mentality, but really, we’re going to want the three ball to be consistent,” he said.
Wesley’s three-point shooting does need improvement.
He went 12-55 from the three-point line last season for 21% shooting. That needs to improve as he heads into his third season, but he did show some improvement when the season closed.
Wesley shot 31% from the three-point line in March and April. Granted, he just attempted 13 three-point shots in March and April, but any confidence he can carry into the offseason to improve his perimeter shot will be beneficial.
Wesley is looking to improve more than just the offensive end of the floor. He is also set on being a better defender and a better decision-maker.
“Continue to work on my defense, decision-making. Stuff like that and get in shape,” he said.
Decision-making has been his focus since entering the league.
He emphasized learning to make the right reads while in the G League with the Austin Spurs, which showed throughout last season.
He averaged 3.0-plus assists per game in the season’s final three months, including five assists in the regular-season finale versus Detroit.
He also tied his career-high average in assists with 2.7 per game and was second on the team in assist percentage at 31.4%.
Wesley also made tremendous strides in his defense, which caught the attention of his teammates and coach Gregg Popovich.
“Just being a pest on the defensive end. He’s always been like that, and that’s the energy that we need from him,” said Devin Vassell.
“He was confident offensively, he always busts his butt on defense,” Gregg Popovich said.
Wesley recorded 29 steals last season and uses his quickness on the defensive end to make life difficult for opposing players. He also averaged 2.2 deflections per game per 36 minutes and contested 2.3 three-point shots.
“He’s been making strides on the offensive end too, but defensively, he’s always been kind of that anchor,” Vassell said.
The Spurs used Wesley more as last season progressed, and his time in the G League ended with 61 games played in San Antonio. His Usage Rate spiked in April to 17.6 from 13.5 in March.
The team trusted him to back up Tre Jones and be that spark plug during games on both ends of the floor, closing the season on a good note.
He posted 17 points at home against Detroit, along with three steals. He only turned the ball over once against Denver on March 12 and once against the Pistons. He also shot 78% versus Detroit in a win.
That play left him excited and confident for year three.
“Year three is going to be big,” he said. “I’m excited and ready to get to work after a break.”
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