Show summary Hide summary
The Milwaukee Bucks’ two recent rookies, Brayden Burries and Nate Ament, face a clear path to playing time: defense. Head coach Taylor Jenkins has emphasized that newcomers will be judged first by their work on that end — and he made that point bluntly after Thursday’s practice.
“They know they’re going to be held very high to a standard on the defensive side, but they’ve got a ways to go for sure.” Jenkins said, underscoring the standard rookies must meet.
Defense as the quickest route to minutes
NC State, Maryland and Baylor owe coaches more than $30 million after coaching changes
Badgers receiver Eugene Hilton Jr. says fan support grows with wins
Jenkins has signaled he wants the team built from the backcourt forward. That means hustle, communication and willingness to do the dirty work on defense will open doors for young players.
For Burries and Ament — on a roster already rich with youth — proving they can consistently defend against NBA competition could accelerate their place in the rotation.
Burries: a ready-made perimeter stopper
At the college level, Burries earned attention for his physical defense. He routinely fought through screens and held his ground against larger opponents thanks to a sturdy frame and disciplined positioning.
Those traits were a major reason Milwaukee selected him. If his collegiate defensive habits translate to the NBA, Burries could be trusted with tough perimeter matchups sooner rather than later.
Ament: length and upside, plus development needs
Ament brings elite size — listed at 6-foot-10 with a wingspan over seven feet — and length that can disrupt opponents in the frontcourt.
He is more of a projection than a polished defender. Compared with Burries, Ament is rawer and lacks the same quickness and bulk. Adding strength and refining his footwork will likely be necessary before he regularly guards NBA forwards, but his physical tools suggest significant upside.
Camp and preseason will set the tone
Training camp is underway and preseason games begin next week, giving both rookies meaningful chances to test themselves against pro-level opponents.
Defensive standouts in camp or early exhibition play could force the coaching staff to reconsider initial rotation plans. Conversely, struggles on either end would probably mean starting the season in a smaller role.
Expect both players to begin with limited minutes. Rapid improvement on defense, however, could change that picture quickly.
