Ryan Conwell is already making noise in Miami, and not just because he’s the Heat’s second-round pick.
The rookie out of Louisville has a steep climb ahead of him if he wants real minutes on a championship-minded roster, but training camp has already given him a couple of moments that turn heads fast. The biggest one came when Klay Thompson admitted Conwell beat him in a three-point shooting drill this summer.
Klay Thompson impressed w/ rookie Ryan Conwell: He actually beat me in this drill this summer, so I'm a little upset by rook. I was very impressed with Ryan's defense today.
He picked up full court. He's in phenomenal shape.
He's got a beutiful lefty jumper. I told him to stay… pic.twitter.com/8IGzGKW1I3
That’s not the kind of line a rookie gets every day. Thompson, who is 25th all time in three-point percentage at 40.9% and 6th in three pointers attempted, is about as good a measuring stick as Conwell could ask for. And Miami has a built-in bonus here: a former NBA champion and elite shooter who can show him plenty beyond just the jumper.
Conwell’s shooting is the obvious calling card. Miami moved up in the second round to grab him 37th overall, sending Oklahoma City the 41st pick and cash considerations.
At Louisville, he put up 18.8 points per game as a senior while hitting 34.5% of his threes on 9.6 attempts a night. The volume was high, and the percentage dipped because of it.
The year before, he shot 41.3% on 7.1 attempts, and he also finished better at the rim, posting an overall field goal percentage that was 5% higher than the previous season at 45%.
But the shot is only part of the story.
What really seems to be grabbing attention in camp at FAU is how hard he’s playing on the other end. Thompson said he was impressed by Conwell’s defense, pointing out that he picked up full court and is in phenomenal shape.
That tracks with what stood out during NBA Summer League too: Conwell sliding his feet, using his chest, and cutting off ballhandlers with a level of technique that already looks advanced for a rookie. He got a little handsy at times, which is normal for first-year players, but the foundation is there.
Then came another clip that only added to the buzz. Giannis Antetokounmpo poked the ball loose, Conwell beat Dru Smith down the floor, dove for it, and secured possession before finding Giannis for an easy transition dunk. Smith is usually the one known for relentless hustle and full-court pressure, so for Conwell to outwork him on a play like that says plenty about how he’s approaching camp.
That rook to vet connection is looking…🤌Training Camp // @BaptistHealthSF pic.twitter.com/3ygU7A6hb1
For all the excitement around his shot, that’s the part that could matter most with Erik Spoelstra. Miami isn’t handing out minutes for pure offense alone. Conwell may get a window when the season wears on and veterans need rest, but the path onto the floor is tied to defense, effort, and stacking extra possessions.
If he keeps doing that, the rookie might force his way into the picture sooner than expected. And if nothing else, he’s already proven one thing: he can beat Klay Thompson in a shooting drill.
In Other News...
Heats Missed Shooter Already Raises Concern Before Camp
Miami spent much of its offseason circling veteran help on the perimeter, with Bradley Beal and Klay Thompson both part of the conversation before the market settled. Beal wound up back with the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year deal, while Thompson emerged as the cleaner fit for a Heat team looking to bolster its shooting and add a proven name to the mix.
Beals arrival in Los Angeles has already brought some unease, though, because he is heading into training camp with an injury. For Miami, that only sharpens the sense that the chase for a veteran scorer could have gone a different way, even as landing Thompson is still viewed as the better outcome after the missed opportunity with Beal. [Read more 🡒]
Nikola Jovic Is Back In Miamis Rotation Conversation
Nikola Jovic spent the offseason working his way back into the picture, and the Heat seem willing to keep the door open for him. The forward, who signed a four-year rookie scale extension, said he has not dealt with back issues recently and sounded upbeat about helping off the bench in the 2026/27 season, a sign that Miami still views him as part of its long-term rotation plans.
Erik Spoelstra also had reason to like what he saw, praising Jovics summer progress and the versatility that has made him an intriguing fit on a roster that values lineups with options. Jovic was only one of several Heat players offering updates at media day, with Nick Richards, Pelle Larsson, Simone Fontecchio and Davion Mitchell also addressing their status and expectations as camp begins to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
Giannis Just Put The Heat In An Awkward Spotlight Again
Giannis Antetokounmpo spent part of media day putting a familiar arena issue back under the microscope, and this time the Heat were the team in the glare. In an interview, he described Miamis visiting locker room as uncomfortable, pointing to the lack of air conditioning, old towels with stains and showers that do not work. Bam Adebayo was there for the discussion and reacted to Antetokounmpos willingness to say it out loud.
For Miami, it is the kind of detail that does not change a game plan but can still become part of the conversation around the building. Visiting teams already know the routine of NBA road life, yet the conditions at an arena can linger as a talking point when a star is blunt enough to spell them out. The Heat now have that spotlight back on them, and it is unlikely to fade quickly. [Read more 🡒]