Plenty of Milwaukee Bucks fans were excited to see undrafted pickup Mark Sears in his first action as an NBA player in Summer League. However, a calf strain sidelined the two-way player for the entirety of play over the last few weeks, so Bucks fans will have to wait. They should have a close eye on the situation, as the youngster is brimming with potential.
Bucks' Mark Sears has NBA potential, but he has to show it
Mark Sears is a decorated player. During his five-year college stint, he earned recognition such as a three-time All-SEC honoree, two-time NCAA All-Region selection, and much more. During those five seasons, he averaged 16.7 points, 3.9 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. There's plenty to like about a player who can string together that type of career.
The most prominent obstacle for Sears will be his defense and finding a way to avoid getting picked on at 6-foot-1. If he can do that while making his presence felt on the other end, there's nothing there to stop him from carving out a role.
Summer League would have been a perfect opportunity for Sears to showcase what he brings to the table as an undrafted rookie. With Milwaukee's point guard situation in flux initially, it would have been a quality audition for the front office watching above. Instead, it was Jamaree Bouyea who stole the spotlight at point guard, putting together a pair of eye-catching performances.
Now, with Kevin Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins, and Cole Anthony on the main roster, as well as Bouyea on a two-way deal, Sears is buried on the depth chart. Barring injuries or other significant reasons for any absences, Sears' chances of climbing into the rotation are slim. His rookie year will likely be all about growth and further working on his craft.
With that in mind, Sears will likely land in the G League with the Wisconsin Herd to start the season. There, he can get more shot attempts and legitimate game action to work on his game against other G League prospects. That is where the true assessment of Mark Sears will begin, and he has plenty to gain from it.
Like Ryan Rollins and AJ Green, there is a pathway to the NBA that involves time in the G League early in a career. If Sears impresses like they did, his future could very well look similar.
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