Trayce Jackson-Davis previews second NBA season with Golden State Warriors

Trayce Jackson-Davis enters his second NBA season with the Golden State Warriors after exceeding expectations as a rookie.

After his All-American career at Indiana, Jackson-Davis was selected 57th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. After averaging 7.9 points per game on 70.2% shooting, as well as 5.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 blocks per game, Jackson-Davis finished 11th in NBA All-Rookie voting.

On Monday, Jackson-Davis spoke with reporters during the Warriors’ media day at Chase Center. Here is the full transcript.

On what he did during the offseason and what he learned from training with Team USA…

Jackson-Davis: “Yeah, so I wouldn’t really consider it an offseason. I probably had three weeks off, but overall I was just here in the bay, working with our strength and conditioning coaches, trying to get bigger, faster, stronger on the field, training me, stuff of that nature. And then I’m going to play with Team USA, do some scrimmages with these guys. It was a lot of fun, I learned a lot. Now I’m just ready to get ready for this season.

On how he views his role this season…

Jackson-Davis: “Yes, I think it would be a similar role for next year, like you said, improved. There’s a few things I’ve been working on that I can add to my game, like handling the ball, moving it up the field, putting pressure on the defense that way, especially with guys like Steph (Curry ) and BP (Brandin). Podziemski) and the guys like it in space, getting easy shots. So being a facilitator is another thing, and then continuing to perfect that and learning from Dray (Green).

On the difference between coming in as a rookie and being a second-year player…

Jackson-Davis: “Yes, I think the most important thing for me is to continue to take it day by day. Having arrived last year, relying a lot on veterinarians, I will still continue to do that. (Kevon) Looney and Dray, they’re going to continue to teach me. But I feel like this year you get to a point where you know what to expect, so being able to come out there, play the game, make reads, you kind of know what the the tendencies of the guys on the field. So just playing basketball and not having to think about anything else.

On his motivation to bring Golden State back to the playoffs…

Jackson-Davis: “Yes, obviously, these are the championship standards here. An early release last year, the guys had time to do it, the guys had some time off, and now we’re hungry. I know a lot of guys came here this summer, and a lot of veterans came here this summer. Everyone is hungry, everyone is ready to get started. So obviously a lot of people doubt us, so we just have to keep playing together, not listen to the noise and just play the way we want to play.

And if the chip on his shoulder has grown after narrowly missing the All-Rookie team…

Jackson-Davis: “I would say that’s where it will always be. I always try to play with a chip on my shoulder to the highest standards possible, so that will continue to be there next year. I think the rookie team would have been a nice little bonus, a perk, just to say, “I told you so,” but at the end of the day, I’m trying to play in this league for 10 to 15 years, and that is the main objective. So just keep working, keep listening to my coaches, listen to my guys and play hard.

While he gained valuable learning experience while competing for a playoff spot last year…

Jackson-Davis: “Yeah, absolutely. Just getting that experience, playing at the end of the year, seeing how close the race has been the last 10 games, having to win those games, feeling kind of pressured, it was great. I just continue to build from that, knowing how close it is. Coach always talks about margins of victory and defeat and continuing to play like that where every play counts.

On the responsibilities he envisages in terms of defense…

Jackson-Davis: “Yeah, like last year. Trying to block shots, defensive rebounding. I think that’s something that we thrived on last year and bounced back, and so we need to continue to do that, especially being shorthanded and smaller. It is therefore essential to bounce back, then continue to trust yourself. Our defense is five guys on a string, so trusting the man to make the right read, then when he goes, a guy replaces him. So the team’s defense is going to be huge, and I think Coach Stackhouse is going to help us a lot with that.

On what he’ll miss in Klay Thompson’s absence…

Jackson-Davis: “Klay, just his energy. Klay and I built a great energy, a synergy on the court, and I’m going to miss that. But I hope he succeeds in Dallas. He’ll be himself, and I just hope he’ll be honestly happy.

How different is it going into your second year compared to your rookie year…

Jackson-Davis: “I definitely don’t feel like my rookie year is over. I just feel like I kept playing, I guess, because I was there the whole time. So it’s great to see everyone, but it’s great to be back, and I’m just ready to work again. There’s really nothing that’s changed, just maybe getting a little stronger in the weight room and the experience factor I would say is the biggest key.

How much the team feels like they need him and younger players to play big roles…

Jackson-Davis: “Yes, young people, I think we are all hungry. We all want to help extend Steph, Draymond, all those guys as long as possible, take the load off them. It’s huge for us because these guys have carried this organization for the last 10 years, and now to have to step up and be that focal point, to be helpful to them is huge. I think we all want to be a part of it.

On conversations with Coach Stackhouse…

Jackson-Davis: “Yeah, just his teaching. He’s really locked in. He is noisy. He wants us to come out, get up, pressure the ball, stuff of that nature. I think our guys like it because I think our team thrives on energy, so playing with energy on the defensive side of the floor I think is going to lead to a lot of transition, a lot of breakouts and just high-powered play . offense.

On how many 3-point shots he plans to score in each game…

Jackson-Davis: “3-point shots are something I’ve been working on this offseason, whether or not I shoot or how much, it really depends. Coach and I talked about it at the end of last season. He said, “I want your focus next year to be strength.” He knows my athleticism is deteriorating and many big guys can’t stop him, especially the slow-footed ones. But being able to take a shot just to keep them honest is something that’s going to be huge for me. Being able to pump fakes and get past guys and either make the right read with a pass or dunk on someone, that’s what I would be more inclined to do. So keeping the defense honest is something that’s important to me, so if I’m going to take one, I’ll take one, and I hope they go in.

On his reaction to watching Steph Curry at the Olympics…

Jackson-Davis: “Yeah, I watched Steph and all the games. I was listening, especially the last one against France. After reaching that third three, the one that was a step back, I may or may not have run around my couch five times. So that was really cool to see, and that’s why he’s the greatest shooter of all time.

On the fact that Steph Curry is open to refining the offensive system for the benefit of the younger players…

Jackson Davis: “It just shows what he does, and that’s winning. He just wants to win and he will do whatever it takes to win. We, the youngest, have to buy into everything the coach does if he wants to change the system to make it easier for us, then we have to do it 110%, not only for ourselves and trying to improve , but for Steph and for Dray and guys like that who have been here to carry the load.

And if Indiana is still just a basketball school after starting 5-0 in football and being ranked in the top 25…

Jackson-Davis: “I’m not going to say we’re not just a basketball school, or we are. We are a school of everything. We are a football school. We had football games, basketball games. And now football is on the rise, so shout out to Coach Cig and the Hoosiers.

The full video of Jackson-Davis’ press conference can be seen below, starting at the 32-minute mark.