Barlow named G League All-star
It turns out Victor Wembanyama is going to have some silver and black company at All-star weekend in Indianapolis.
Backup center Dominick Barlow has been selected as a participant in the G League “Next Up” game, a sort-of Allstar game for the NBA’S feeder circuit.
“It’s exciting being a part of All-star weekend,” Barlow said. “You watch it as a kid growing up. Knowing I’m going to be a part of that is pretty cool.”
Barlow, a second-year pro, has appeared in 12 games with the Spurs’ G-league affiliate in Austin, averaging 25.6 points and 7.8 rebounds.
Lately, the 20-year-old has been more valuable to the Spurs’ NBA club, filling in as Wembanyama’s primary backup with Zach Collins battling an ankle sprain.
With Collins in and out of the lineup, Barlow has appeared in 13 of the past 17 games for the Spurs.
“Every minute he gets, he seems to be more comfortable,” coach Gregg Popovich said. “He doesn’t look like your typical player out there. A little wild, but everybody really respects his work ethic and what he does.”
As a provision of the twoway contract that shares him with Austin, Barlow is allowed to be on the active list for an
NBA game a maximum of 50 times per season. The Spurs have been judicious with those appearances, listing him as inactive on nights he is not all but guaranteed to play.
Usually, that means either Collins or Wembanyama is out.
At times, Barlow might not know until half an hour before tipoff whether he must be in street clothes, or ready to log double-digit minutes off the
bench.
“Not knowing when you’re going to play is tough,” Barlow said. “You find out late, so you have to stay mentally prepared come game day. I think it’s helping my focus and my attention to detail.”
Barlow was lucky Monday. The team decided after morning walk-through Collins would remain unavailable for that night’s game against
Washington.
Barlow had fair warning his presence would be required against the Wizards. He logged 14 minutes, scoring four points with a pair of rebounds and season-high five assists before fouling out.
The procedure ought to be similar with Orlando in town Wednesday. The Spurs will monitor Collins’ status, then decide if Barlow should be active or inactive.
“I’m trying to learn and stay locked in,” Barlow said. It’s a unique situation — if I’m going to play, I’m going to play a lot. When there is more structure with that in coming years, I’ll look back and say, ‘Wow that really helped me.’ ”
Overall, Barlow has played in 21 NBA games this season, averaging 4.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.1 minutes.
That’s not enough to get Barlow to Indianapolis for All-star weekend next month, but his work in the G League is. Barlow said he is looking forward to soaking in the atmosphere, even if pomp and circumstance isn’t his thing.
“It’s going to be a cool experience but I’m not the flashiest guy,” Barlow said. “I’m just trying to hoop and not get hurt.”
French GM Diaw pays a visit to Spurs
With a host of French players passing through the Frost Bank Center — including a 7-foot-3 one who calls the arena home — the Spurs welcomed a blast from the past back to town this week.
While visiting in his official capacity as the general manager of the French national team, former Spurs forward Boris Diaw also participated in a little post-practice three-onthree action with members of the current squad.
“He’s still Boris,” Popovich said of Diaw, who played for the Spurs from 2012 to 2016 and was a member of the 2014 NBA title team. “Fun-loving, easygoing, ready-to-smile kind of guy. Just enjoying life.”
Diaw’s visit to San Antonio was well timed.
Each of the first four teams the Spurs faced to open this homestand boast Frenchmen on the roster — Ousmane Dieng and Olivier Sarr for Oklahoma City, Rayan Rupert for Portland, Rudy Gobert for Minnesota and Bilal Coulibaly for Washington.
That’s not to mention the Spurs’ Wembanyama, who is pegged to be the star of the French show at the Paris Olympics this summer.
With a chance to meet with so many of the 14 French NBA players on one trip, French national coach Vincent Collet relocated to San Antonio for the week and brought staff members with him — including Diaw.
“There seem to be more French guys (in the league), year after year,” Popovich said. “It was great to have them in town for a few days.”