The Warriors on Thursday night selected Jonathan Kuminga with the No. 7 overall pick in the NBA draft.
The 6-foot-8 forward played for the NBA G League's Ignite squad last season, averaging 15.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steals over 13 games, while shooting 38.7 percent overall and 24.6 percent from deep.
The Warriors went to Miami late last week to watch Kuminga -- who does not turn 19 years old until Oct. 6. -- and meet with him face-to-face.
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They clearly liked what they saw and heard.
The Congo native back on Feb. 10 registered 19 points (9-for-18 from the field), four assists, two rebounds and two blocks that afternoon in a win over the Santa Cruz Warriors.
"After Kuminga looked terrific in the G League bubble against Santa Cruz, I had a pair of conversations with high-level Warriors decision-makers," The Athletic's Anthony Slater wrote earlier this week. "Kuminga, both believed, was in Cade Cunningham’s ballpark and might emerge as the gem of a loaded draft class."
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The Warriors now very much hope that becomes the reality.
Kuminga is perceived as more of a project, and some are skeptical that he will be able to contribute much as a rookie.
Depending on how quickly he develops, there is a chance he spends the majority of the 2021-22 season with the Santa Cruz Warriors.
It obviously is way too early to make any predictions or form any judgments about how things will unfold in the coming months.
But if Kuminga ultimately realizes his vast potential, this will go down as a grand-slam selection for the franchise.
After making Kuminga their selection at No. 7, the Warriors took Moses Moody at No. 14
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