America fell in love with Markquis Nowell during this year’s NCAA tournament. The diminutive point guard (generously listed at 5'8") willed Kansas State to an Elite Eight appearance by not being afraid to take any shot. He hoisted up audacious three-pointers without a moment’s hesitation.
Nowell was not selected in this year’s NBA draft but he did catch on with the Raptors, signing a two-way contract. He’s playing for Toronto’s Summer League team out in Las Vegas and is averaging 10.3 points per game in three appearances. His scoring is down compared to his college numbers, but his confidence isn’t.
In the first quarter of Wednesday night’s game against the Pistons, Nowell evaded a defender with a nifty dribble and had a wide-open look at a three. He took it and was so confident that the ball was going to through the net that he immediately turned around and started running to the other end of the floor.
There was just one problem: He missed. Badly. The ball missed the rim and clanged off the bottom corner of the backboard.
Markquis Nowell tried it 😅 pic.twitter.com/0ImAzg0GTX
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 12, 2023
That’s way worse than Nick Young’s infamous premature celebration. At least Swaggy P’s shot rimmed out. Nowell almost airballed it.
Nowell had a rough night against Detroit, going 2-for-13 from the field (including 0-for-5 from three) but if there’s one thing he proved in his time at K-State it’s that he won’t let one bad night stop him from being just as aggressive the next time out. That sort of confidence is a skill you can’t teach.
