Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the shooting guard for the Denver Nuggets, has had a successful career in the NBA, with the potential to earn over $100 million. However, before his basketball career, Caldwell-Pope was a well-rounded athlete who played football, baseball, and basketball while growing up in Georgia. He even played on the Greenville High School football team for a couple of years before committing to play basketball at the University of Georgia.
Caldwell-Pope’s football skills have translated well to the basketball court, where he leads the Nuggets with 1.5 steals per game. He has a knack for intercepting passes and dislodging the ball from his opponent’s hands, thanks to his quickness and footwork. Additionally, his cornerback skills come in handy when he draws offensive fouls by aggressively trailing his assignment through traffic.
Caldwell-Pope’s contributions on both ends of the court could be vital for the Nuggets as they look to win their first championship. He is the only member of the team who has won the Larry O’Brien trophy before, winning it with the Lakers in 2020. Caldwell-Pope’s efficiency from beyond the arc has also been impressive, making 42.3% of his attempts from 3 this season.
As the Nuggets prepare for their first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Caldwell-Pope’s ability to guard multiple positions and contribute on both ends of the floor will be valuable. He is feeling healthy and energized after dealing with a minor wrist injury and a late-season illness. Caldwell-Pope’s message to his team is simple: defend and take care of the ball, and they have everything they need to succeed.
Keywords: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Denver Nuggets, NBA, basketball, football, University of Georgia, Larry O’Brien trophy, shooting guard, steals, offensive fouls, playoffs.
