The Devin Vassell File
Team: San Antonio Spurs
Height: 6-5
Weight: 200
Age: 22
Birthday: 8/23/2000
College: Florida State
Draft: 11th overall pick, 2020 NBA Draft
Contract: Signed a 4-year, $18.59 million rookie contract in 2020
Middle school cut to NBA lottery pick
Devin Vassell almost didn't make it to the NBA. The Georgia native was cut from his middle school team, finding out that his social studies teacher didn't see enough in him as a player to award Vassell a spot. He spent countless hours with his father, training and practicing at local parks, preparing for the moment. Vassell fell in love with the game at an early age, but getting to learn from his father only intensified that feeling. When it came time to tryout for the middle school team, Vassell thought he would easily land on the final roster. Until he didn't.
Eventually he'd transfer schools, playing for the rival team. He was booed out of the gym in the first game between the two sides, a teaching moment for the young Georgia kid. From that point on, he learned that there would be ups and downs along the way, that they were only apart of the journey. For someone that's close with both of his parents, Vassell had the right support system in place to overcome the odds. What was once a sad story for the young middle schooler that admired Lou Williams became a moment of triumph when he heard his name called in the NBA Draft. As for the social studies teacher, well, we wonder how he feels about that decision to cut Vassell now.