Even though he’s playing his first season for the Milwaukee Bucks later this year, there’s no denying the impact Gary Trent Jr. has, especially on the offensive end of the court. For this reason, the former Toronto Raptors star is expected to start as the team’s primary shooting guard when the upcoming campaign begins.
Trent’s basketball journey began in high school at Apple Valley in Minnesota, where he showcased his talent before transferring to Prolific Prep in California for his senior year. He excelled in high school, earning accolades such as Gatorade Minnesota Player of the Year and McDonald’s All-American honors.
Moving on to college, Trent Jr. committed to Duke University in 2016, where he joined a highly-rated recruiting class. Despite starting as a freshman, he made significant contributions to the team, setting records and earning recognition in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
In the professional arena, Trent Jr. was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 2018 but ended up with the Portland Trail Blazers. Over his years with the Blazers and later the Toronto Raptors, he demonstrated steady improvement in his performance, ultimately leading to his current role with the Bucks.
Off the court, Trent Jr. comes from a basketball-rich family, with his father, Gary Trent Sr., having also played professionally. This familial influence has likely played a role in shaping his own successful basketball career.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Gary Trent Jr. Projected To Get Starting Shooting Guard Position
Over the years, Trent has established himself as one of the league’s best 3-and-D players. According to a report Brian Sampson wrote for Forbes, the former Raptors star is expected to start the season as Milwaukee’s primary shooting guard.
“The clear favorite is Trent Jr. He was a terrific free agent signing with the veteran minimum. He’s a positional fit, but isn’t the exact type of player Milwaukee needs alongside Lillard. Trent is a great catch-and-shoot three-point shooter, but lacks the defensive chops the Bucks need. He’ll be slotted in that role, however, and it will be intriguing to see if he can fare better than Malik Beasley did a season ago,” Sampson wrote.
Over the last six years of his NBA career, Trent has averaged 14.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. Along with shooting 38 percent from beyond the arc, his previous experience of playing alongside All-Star guard Damian Lillard is expected to yield dividends for the Giannis Antetokounmpo-led team.
With Trent onboard, the Bucks may gain another steady shot creator to play with the duo of Lillard and Antetokounmpo. If things go well, Milwaukee may find itself competing for another ring soon.
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