By Tom Orsborn, Staff writer | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2025-07-10 11:16:10
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋莱利·米尼克斯（Riley Minix）在2025年7月8日于加利福尼亚旧金山大通中心举行的加州经典赛中对阵洛杉矶湖人队。在因肩伤缺席大部分新秀赛季后，米尼克斯希望在夏季联赛中证明自己能帮助马刺队弥补三分投射的不足。
拉斯维加斯 — 莱利·米尼克斯（Riley Minix）最喜欢夏季联赛的一点是，它让他与上赛季奥斯汀马刺队的好几位队友重聚了。
1月1日，米尼克斯在代表奥斯汀马刺队出战的一场比赛中遭遇了赛季报销的伤病，但这位身高6英尺7英寸（约2.01米）、体重230磅（约104公斤）的前锋依然对自己在奥斯汀的时光充满美好回忆，因为他与那些发展联盟的队友们结下了深厚友谊。
“很高兴能见到熟悉的面孔，”他说，“伤病发生之前，我们在奥斯汀一起度过了赛季的前大约三个月。我很想念那些伙计们，所以很高兴能再次和他们一起回到场上。”
尽管他很喜欢与贾米尔·尼尔森二世（Jameer Nelson Jr.）、易卜拉希马·迪亚洛（Ibrahima Diallo）以及他在奥斯汀的其他朋友们一起玩，但如果下赛季他几乎见不到他们，米尼克斯也毫不在意。
马刺队需要外线得分威胁，而投篮神准的米尼克斯正力求在夏季联赛中证明自己能在这方面为球队提供帮助。
“对我来说这绝对令人兴奋，也是一个我可以很好胜任的重要角色，”他谈及这次机会时说。
在因持续康复他接受过手术的左肩而缺席了加州经典赛的前两场比赛后，米尼克斯于周二晚间在旧金山完成了他的首秀，他以首发球员身份出战13分钟，贡献了8分，三分球2投1中。
“他看起来棒极了，”正在执教夏季联赛马刺队的助理教练迈克·诺伊斯（Mike Noyes）说，“我想他自己也会同意，在防守端，他有几次显得身体有些疲惫，脚步也稍慢了一拍。
“总的来说，他很有天赋。他的决策能力不逊于任何人。随着夏季联赛的进行，他会继续进步的。”
米尼克斯将在9月22日年满25岁，他表示自1月1日遭遇赛季报销的盂唇撕裂伤以来，首场比赛让他感觉“极好”。预计在周四晚间于托马斯&马克中心举行的马刺队拉斯维加斯夏季联赛揭幕战中，他将获得更多对阵费城队（Philadelphia）的出场时间。
“我打得越多，就会感觉越自在，身体状态也会越好，”他说，“我正在努力保持这种状态。当你没有比赛可打时，是很难复制这种比赛状态的。”
去年夏天，马刺队与米尼克斯签下了一份非保障训练营合同，他是一名落选新秀。此前，他在莫尔黑德州立大学（Morehead State）读大五时场均贡献22.4分、10.1个篮板和2.1次助攻，并且在外线（三分线外）以35%的命中率场均出手近5次。在转学至莫尔黑德大学之前，他曾在NAIA的东南州立大学（Southeastern State University）效力四年，并因疫情获得了第五年的参赛资格。
去年秋天，这位来自佛罗里达州维罗比奇（Vero Beach, Fla.）的球员代表马刺队出战了三场季前赛，场均出场7.8分钟，得到7.7分和2.0个篮板，投篮命中率高达66.7%（12投8中）。这次表现促使俱乐部在去年10月与他签下了双向合同。
米尼克斯为奥斯汀马刺队出战了三场比赛，期间他的三分球命中率达到46.7%，随后他的非投篮手肩部便遭遇了伤病。
“这真是苦涩的现实，但你必须马上重新站起来，”他谈到这次伤病时说，“我觉得最优秀的球员也是最擅长应对不如意情况的人，所以你只需要第二天就起床，然后投入到训练中去。”
在那个艰难时期的一个亮点是：与马刺队的运动训练和医疗团队合作。
“马刺队为我的康复训练和物理治疗配备了一些非常优秀的人员，过去几个月整个过程都很顺利，”他说，“刚开始的时候确实有点艰难。但我们都挺过来了，就像任何其他的康复过程一样。”
上个月，马刺队向米尼克斯开出了一份资质报价，表达了对他的信任，这使得他成为了一名受限制自由球员，意味着马刺队可以匹配他从其他球队收到的任何报价。
“我很幸运能成为这个球队的一员，也很高兴他们希望我留在这里，”他说，“我很高兴能进入下一年，并继续证明自己的能力。”
他一直以来都能做到的就是投篮。在佛罗里达州维罗比奇成为高中明星球员后，他在东南州立大学和莫尔黑德州立大学都能稳定命中投篮。
现在，他只需要证明自己在NBA层面也能做到这一点。
“大家都知道我多少能投点，”他说，“这对我来说是比赛的关键，能够为场上的每个人拉开空间，打出制胜的贡献，并在防守端做出贡献。”
一些年轻球员会在他们的第一年和第二年调整投篮动作，但米尼克斯表示他很满意自己的投篮姿势。
“这归根结底就是做好准备（毫不犹豫地出手），每次接球都能立即将球投出，并且保持多年来一直使用的相同投篮动作，”他说。
作为一名二年级球员，米尼克斯与哈里森·英格拉姆（Harrison Ingram）一起征战夏季联赛，这让他的舒适度更高。英格拉姆是马刺队上赛季在第二轮选中的另一位双向合同球员。和米尼克斯一样，英格拉姆也在上个月收到了资质报价，成为一名受限制自由球员。
2024年10月7日星期一，在得克萨斯州圣安东尼奥的霜冻银行中心，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋莱利·米尼克斯（27号）、前锋哈里森·英格拉姆（55号）和后卫布兰登·波士顿二世（Brandon Boston Jr.，4号）在季前NBA比赛下半场对阵俄克拉荷马城雷霆队。在因肩伤缺席大部分新秀赛季后，米尼克斯希望在夏季联赛中证明自己能帮助马刺队弥补三分投射的不足。
“我们正在学习如何成为职业球员，”米尼克斯说，“我们即将进入第二个赛季，在此之前我们从球队的许多不同球员那里学到了很多东西。我们正在开始运用这些经验。”
英格拉姆表示，米尼克斯在康复期间始终保持“专注”，这给他留下了深刻印象。
“他每天都准时或提前报到，并且仍在坚持投篮训练，”英格拉姆说，“他就是想打球。”
尽管米尼克斯的目标是本赛季能在NBA获得更多出场机会，但他表示如果必须在发展联盟再打一个赛季，无论是在奥斯汀还是其他地方，他都不会抱怨。
“这真是梦想成真，我能够以篮球为生，”他说，“对此，谁又能抱怨什么呢？”
San Antonio Spurs’ Riley Minix during the The California Classic against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on July 8, 2025. Minix is aiming to prove he can help fill the Spurs’ need for 3-point shooting in Summer League after missing most of his rookie season with a shoulder injury.
San Antonio Spurs’ Riley Minix during the The California Classic against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on July 8, 2025. Minix is aiming to prove he can help fill the Spurs’ need for 3-point shooting in Summer League after missing most of his rookie season with a shoulder injury.
San Antonio Spurs’ Riley Minix during the The California Classic against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on July 8, 2025. Minix is aiming to prove he can help fill the Spurs’ need for 3-point shooting in Summer League after missing most of his rookie season with a shoulder injury.
San Antonio Spurs’ Riley Minix during the The California Classic against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on July 8, 2025. Minix is aiming to prove he can help fill the Spurs’ need for 3-point shooting in Summer League after missing most of his rookie season with a shoulder injury.
San Antonio Spurs forward Riley Minix (27) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) during the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. Minix is aiming to prove he can help fill the Spurs’ need for 3-point shooting in Summer League after missing most of his rookie season with a shoulder injury.
Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (2) attempts to shoot against San Antonio Spurs’ Riley Minix (27) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in San Antonio. Minix is aiming to prove he can help fill the Spurs’ need for 3-point shooting in Summer League after missing most of his rookie season with a shoulder injury.
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Forward Riley Minix aims to fill 3-point shooting need for Spurs
San Antonio Spurs’ Riley Minix during the The California Classic against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on July 8, 2025. Minix is aiming to prove he can help fill the Spurs’ need for 3-point shooting in Summer League after missing most of his rookie season with a shoulder injury.
LAS VEGAS — One of things Riley Minix likes most about Summer League is it has reunited him with several of his teammates from last season’s Austin Spurs.
Minix suffered a season-ending injury Jan. 1 in a game with the team, but the 6-foot-7, 230-pound forward still has fond memories of his time in Austin after forging friendships with his fellow G Leaguers.
“It’s fun to see familiar faces,” he said. “We spent a lot of time together over in Austin for the first say three months of the season before my injury. I missed the guys, so it’s good to be back out there with them.”
But as much as he likes hanging out with Jameer Nelson Jr., Ibrahima Diallo and his other Austin pals, Minix wouldn’t mind if he doesn’t see them much at all next season.
The Spurs need perimeter scoring threats, and the sharpshooting Minix aims to prove during Summer League he can help them in that area.
“It’s definitely exciting for me and a great role I can fill,” he said of the opportunity.
After sitting out the first two games at the California Classic while continuing to rehab his surgically repaired left shoulder, Minix made his debut in San Francisco on Tuesday night, scoring eight points and going 1 of 2 from 3-point range in 13 minutes as a starter.
“He looked great," said Spurs assistant coach Mike Noyes, who is coaching the Summer Spurs. "I think he would agree defensively he had a few times where he was a little tired and a step slow.
"Overall, he is talented. His decision-making is up there with anyone. He’ll continue to trend upward as Summer League goes on.”
Minix, who turns 25 on Sept. 22, said he felt “great” after his first game action since suffering a season-ending torn labrum Jan. 1. He was expected to receive more playing time against Philadelphia on Thursday night in the Spurs’ Las Vegas Summer League opener at Thomas & Mack Center.
“The more I play, the more comfortable I’ll be and the more in shape," he said. "I’m trying to stay on top of that. When you’re not playing, it’s hard to replicate that.”
The Spurs signed Minix to a non-guaranteed training camp contract as an undrafted rookie last summer after he averaged 22.4 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists as a fifth-year senior at Morehead State while shooting 35% from distance on nearly five attempts per game. He started for four years at NAIA Southeastern State University before transferring to Morehead after being granted a fifth-year of eligibility due to the pandemic.
The Vero Beach, Fla., native appeared in three preseason games for the Spurs last fall, averaging 7.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 7.8 minutes while shooting 66.7% (8 of 12) from the floor. The showing prompted the club to sign him to a two-way deal last October.
Minix played three games with the Austin Spurs, where he made 46.7% of his 3-point tries, before going down with the injury to his non-shooting shoulder.
“It’s a tough pill to swallow, but you got to get right back up,” he said of the injury. “I feel like the best players are the best people at responding to things that don’t go their way, so you just get up the next day and go put in the work.”
A bright spot during the difficult period: working with the Spurs’ athletic training and medical staffs
“The Spurs put some great people in place to take care of my rehab, my physical therapy, and it was a smooth process these last couple months,” he said. “In the beginning, it was a little rough. But we got through it just like any other rehab.”
The Spurs showed their faith in Minix by tendering him a qualifying offer last month that made him a restricted free agent, meaning they can match any offers he receives from other teams.
“I’m blessed to be a part of this organization, and I’m glad they want me to be here,” he said. “I’m excited to go into next year and keep proving what I can do.”
What he has always been able to do is shoot. He did it as a prep star in Vero Beach, Fla., before knocking them down at Southeastern State and Morehead State.
Now, he just has to prove he can do it at the NBA level.
“Everybody knows I can shoot it a little bit,” he said. “That’s a big key for my game, being able to space the floor for everybody out there and make winning plays and guard on the other end.”
Some young players tweak their shots in their first and second years, but Minix said he’s comfortable with his stroke.
“It comes down being able to be prepared (to let if fly), being ready every time I catch the ball to put it up and go right into the same shot I’ve been shooting for years,” he said.
Adding to his comfort level as a second-year player, Minix is going through Summer League with Harrison Ingram, another two-way contract player after the Spurs drafted him in the second round last season. Like Minix, Ingram is a restricted free agent after receiving a qualifying offer last month.
San Antonio Spurs forward Riley Minix (27), forward Harrison Ingram (55) and guard Brandon Boston Jr. (4) play in the second half of the pre-season NBA match-up against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Minix is aiming to prove he can help fill the Spurs’ need for 3-point shooting in Summer League after missing most of his rookie season with a shoulder injury.
“We’re learning how to become pros,” Minix said. “We’re going into our second year after we picked up a lot of things from a lot of different players throughout this organization. We’re starting to utilize that.”
Ingram said he was impressed with how Minix stayed “locked in” during rehab.
“He was early or on time every day and was still getting his shots up,” Ingram said. “He just wants to hoop.”
Although he has his sights set on playing more in the NBA this season, Minix won’t complain if he has to log another season in the G League, whether it be in Austin or elsewhere.
“This is a dream come true, and I get to play basketball for a living,” he said. “Who can complain about that?”
By Tom Orsborn, Staff writer, via San Antonio Express-News