The Milwaukee Bucks haven’t had much to smile about during their rocky 11-18 start to the season-but Ryan Rollins is giving them something to build on. In the middle of a tough stretch, the 23-year-old guard is quietly putting together the best season of his career.
And behind his breakout? A familiar name with championship pedigree: Rajon Rondo.
Rollins has stepped into the largest role of his young NBA career, and he’s making the most of it. He’s averaging 31.6 minutes per game, starting 26 of the 28 games he’s appeared in, and posting career highs across the board. We’re talking 17.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per night-numbers that don’t just suggest improvement, they scream arrival.
This is what development looks like when opportunity meets preparation. And according to Rollins, part of that preparation has come through learning from one of the sharpest minds the NBA has seen in recent decades.
“I’ve learned from Doc [Rivers], and Rajon Rondo is around a lot, too,” Rollins told Michael Scotto. “I’ve been learning the game from their perspectives, talking through the game with them, and learning. I think that’s been the biggest thing, along with getting these reps and experience.”
Rollins didn’t just name-drop Rondo-he went out of his way to credit him, even though the original question focused on Rivers. That says a lot.
Rondo, now serving as a coaching assistant with Milwaukee, has long been known as a basketball savant. His understanding of the game has always been next-level, dating back to his days orchestrating the Celtics’ Big Three and later providing veteran leadership during the Lakers’ 2020 championship run.
It’s no surprise that Rondo’s transition into coaching has been seamless. He’s always seen the floor like a coach in sneakers. Now, he’s passing that knowledge on to a young guard trying to find his place-and it’s clearly paying off.
Rollins’ growth didn’t happen overnight. After bouncing around early in his career and struggling to carve out a consistent role, he made a key decision this past offseason: stay in Milwaukee.
He signed a three-year, $12 million deal to stick with the Bucks-a move that’s proving to be a turning point. For the first time, he has stability, a defined role, and the trust of the coaching staff.
And with that trust, he’s blossoming.
The Bucks may be searching for answers as a team, but in Rollins, they’ve found a player who’s not just holding his own-he’s taking a leap. Surrounded by veteran minds like Rivers and Rondo, he’s soaking up knowledge, applying it in real time, and showing the kind of growth that could make him a long-term piece for Milwaukee.
In a season filled with frustrations, Rollins’ emergence is a reminder that even in the rough patches, there are stories worth watching. This one’s just getting started.