At Golden State, Patrick McCaw finds unlikely mentor in Kevin Durant

By Chris Kudialis

Tuesday, July 12, 2016 | 2 a.m.

Former UNLV basketball player Patrick McCaw received a text message from a number he didn’t recognize. Turns out the message was from his new teammate with the Golden State Warriors, saying he plans to take the NBA rookie McCaw under his wing.

McCaw’s life has quickly changed since he was selected 38th overall in last month’s NBA Draft. He received a guaranteed two-year contract from the Warriors, has a locker between standouts Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, and last week received a message from Golden State’s newest player, superstar Kevin Durant.

Durant messaged that we “are both rookies” with the Warriors heading into this season and expressed his desire to mentor McCaw.

“It was crazy seeing him text my phone, that’s a guy you’d never expect to even be in the same room with,” said McCaw, who is in town with the Warriors for the NBA Summer League.

McCaw says his decision to leave UNLV with two years of eligibility remaining has been validated by the Warriors’ investment. In addition to the two-year contract, Golden State paid Milwaukee $2.4 million for McCaw’s draft rights. Milwaukee selected him 38th overall in the second round before trading him to Golden State.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” McCaw said. “God has blessed me and given me the best possible opportunity as a basketball player, to grow as a rookie, to be around such great players in such a great organization in my first year.”

McCaw scored 14 points on 6-of-13 shooting and four rebounds in a 63-61 loss to San Antonio on Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center in his first summer league action. He was praised by Golden State summer league coach Jarron Collins, who said the former Rebel played well considering the circumstances.

“There’s a lot of pressure being a second-round pick, and then playing in the same arena where you went to college,” said Collins, who serves as an assistant coach during the regular season. “But he’s showing a great feel for the game and he’s a good teammate.”

Golden State assistant general manager Kirk Lacob said McCaw has a “very complete skill set” and lauded his ability to “pass, dribble, shoot and play defense.”

“He has the tools, we just thought he hadn’t really had the chance to break them out yet,” Lacob said. “There really aren’t that many people who can do all of those things on an NBA level. It’s surprising and rare.”

Added Collins, “He can put the ball on the floor, and for now he’s a 3-and-D guy. He has a lot of talent, he just has to continue to develop a bit, and build up his body as well.”

As the Warriors rebuild their bench following the departures of key reserves, Lacob said McCaw will have the chance to contribute “immediately,” along with third-year forward James Michael McAdoo and guard Ian Clark, both members of last year’s NBA finals team who were re-signed this offseason.

“He’s absolutely going to have a chance and an opportunity," Lacob said. “Whether he’s ready for it or whether he seizes that opportunity remains to be seen. We’re hopeful, but obviously he has to go out and get it.”