CLEVELAND -- At just 19 years old, Cleveland Cavaliers rookie guard Collin Sexton has had his fair share of struggles adjusting to the style of play in the NBA after just one year at the University of Alabama, but the first-year player has not lost any confidence.
In fact, Sexton, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, has seen an increase in productivity in recent weeks and believes the game is slowing down for him.
“Absolutely, once you get into a rhythm, and then, once you’re playing as many games as we’re playing, it starts to slow down and you’re really able to really sit back and visualize the whole court and where your teammates should be,” Sexton said after Wednesday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton (2) stands on the court during the second half of a preseason game against the Detroit Pistons at Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan.
Mike Carter
Since being inserted into the starting lineup for the Cavaliers’ early-November game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sexton has scored at least 12 points in every game, and 15 or more in five of those outings. Sexton has knocked down 42 of his 91 attempts from the field (46.1 percent).
In addition to the scoring, Sexton has become more consistent in playing a well-rounded game since taking over for an injured George Hill earlier this month. Sexton has averaged 3.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists over 33.8 minutes per game.
“I felt like my decision-making is improving,” Sexton said. “Making sure I make the right pass and not try to thread the needle and make a turnover, so I feel like my decision-making has improved a lot, and that’s with watching film.”
Denver Nuggets guard Malik Beasley (25) defends Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton (2) in the fourth quarter at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
David Richard
Despite having a rough shooting night in the 109-105 loss to the Lakers, Sexton knocked down five shots from the field and both of his free-throw attempts for 12 points to go along with three rebounds and two assists over 36 minutes of action, the second-most he has logged in a game this year.
“I thought Collin did a good job,” Cavaliers coach Larry Drew said. “It still looks like he’s hobbling a little bit, but he wants to be in there. He doesn’t want to sit out, and I thought he did a good job, again, just keeping it simple.
“He’s learning at a rapid rate, and that is just such a good sign. I really thought he’d be really juiced up and throwing the ball all over the place and trying a lot of high-risk things, but he played with a lot of composure. He made simple plays. He made the right play. He’s just going to get better and better.”
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Although Sexton will continue working to improve his individual game, as the 2018-2019 season continues, starting with tonight’s game at the Philadelphia 76ers, his main goal is doing what is necessary to help the Cavaliers (2-14) get more marks in the win column and out of the basement of both the Central Division and Eastern Conference.
“We’ve got to win first,” Sexton said. “That’s first and foremost. I can care less how I do. It really doesn’t matter. Myself, I just want to go out there and play the right way, make sure I get my teammates involved, and then, also, bring that energy on defense.
“That’s something I know I can do each and every game. Whether my shot is falling or not, I know I can play defense and try to get stops for my teammates.”
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