Miami Heat guard Kendrick Nunn had a spectacular NBA debut on Wednesday in the Heat’s victory against the Memphis Grizzlies, recording 24 points, two rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
In an exclusive interview with HeatNation.com, the 24-year-old shared who he tries to model his game after.
“I study the elite guards in the NBA,” said Nunn. “I have good footwork like C.J. McCollum. He’s real crafty. The elite guards, point guards, that’s where my game will go to another level, just studying that.”
Nunn joined the Heat back in April, when the 2018-19 season was almost finished and then stuck with the team through Summer League and preseason, where he averaged 13.8 points and 3.6 assists per game, including a 40-point performance against the Houston Rockets.
Nunn is scheduled to make around $1.4 million this season and $1.67 million next season. Having a player that can produce at a high level on such a low contract will be important for the Heat this season and next season as well.
The Oakland University product impressed enough to earn a starting spot in the opening night lineup. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said after Wednesday’s game that Nunn was always going to start the game and that fellow rookie Tyler Herro was the one that replaced Jimmy Butler in the starting lineup, who missed the opener due to “personal reasons.”
If Nunn can continue to keep up this type of production throughout the season, he will undoubtedly become a key piece to a team that is trying to get back to the playoffs and make some noise in the Eastern Conference.