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Warriors rookie's post-draft tweet proving prophetic
Golden State Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis. John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Warriors rookie's post-draft tweet proving prophetic

If Trayce Jackson-Davis (TJD) wasn't a household name already, the Warriors rookie definitely took another step toward becoming one after his performance against the Bucks Wednesday night. 

TJD finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, four blocks and a steal in just 19 minutes as Golden State routed Milwaukee 125-90.

After the game, a tweet that TJD sent out last summer resurfaced, and for good reason.  

Jackson-Davis had sent the tweet minutes after he was drafted No. 57 overall by the Warriors, who had acquired his rights from the Wizards. 

On paper, the 29 teams that passed on TJD were probably justified in doing so, considering he was a 23-year-old prospect who had spent four years in college at Indiana. Not exactly a blue-chipper. Furthermore, at 6 feet 9 inches, scouts viewed him as undersized to play center, and his non-existent perimeter shot meant he couldn't fulfill the highly sought-after role of a stretch big in the modern NBA.

However, the former Hoosier is clearly starting to prove those doubters wrong.

After his breakout performance, Gary Payton II was shown his teammate's old tweet by Kerith Burke during the Warriors' post-game show.

"And I promise you they're regretting it right now," Payton said of teams passing on TJD. "He's playing like a third-year [pro]. He's picking up things a lot...he's learning every day and it's great to see."

Meanwhile, Jackson-Davis, who made SportsCenter highlight reels for blocking Giannis Antetokounmpo twice in the same possession, acknowledged how difficult it was to match up with "The Greek Freak."

"I've never matched up with anyone as fast and explosive as him," he said of the Bucks star, revealing that he benefitted by watching footage of Blake Griffin guarding Antetokounmpo.

In Jackson-Davis and Brandin Podziemski, the Warriors have seemingly unearthed two rookie prospects who could excel in their system for years. Also, third-year wings Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga are finally coming into their own, especially the latter whom many consider a future star. 

As the team's young core prepares to take over for its aging one, Jackson-Davis will aim to continue handing out helpings of regret.

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