Aldo Thiero, an undrafted rookie with the Los Angeles Lakers, left everyone talking after his impressive NBA debut. The basketball community rejoiced last week when Victor Wembanyama scored his first NBA points during a thrilling comeback victory against the Milwaukee Bucks. That’s why Thiero got chosen as the second-round No. 36 pick in the draft. After missing the first 13 matches of the year to rehab from knee surgery last April, he stepped onto the field at long last.
Thiero’s first-in-class return to the court. He finished with four points and ended his run with a soaring, highlight-reel dunk in the last minute of action. Even in the scant minutes he played, he displayed his readiness and energy and made contributions on the positive Lakers’ team to do that. With this hard-fought victory, Richmond’s team improved their season record to 10-4. On top of that, they held on to a respectable 3-2 record in the process over their last five games.
Once the game had officially ended, a pretty funny moment went down with Jarred Vanderbilt and the game ball. First quarter Vanderbilt recovered the initial bounce. Referee Pat Fraher stepped in, announcing that the ball did not belong to them to cede. Fraher tossed the ball to a Bucks team attendant at midcourt. He warned Vanderbilt that his actions would result in a formal write-up.
“I went to grab the ball. The rookie scored his first points. That’s what happens in the league.” – Jarred Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt took to Twitter to voice his displeasure at what the referee had ruled. He stated, “I don’t know what the hell he’s talking about. These refs, they just want to have their power or something, I don’t know.” His frustrations with officiating rang familiar to any players making the transition to professional basketball.
After the game, Luka Doncic captured an emotional scene in the Mavs locker room. He then presented the game ball to Thiero, further honoring his accomplishment while fueling his career path in the league. Thiero reflected on this special occasion, stating, “At first I didn’t realize it was all for me.”
The Lakers’ win versus the Bucks locked them into No. 4 in the Western Conference standings. Their performance and Thiero’s debut serve as a promising sign for the team’s future as they build momentum throughout the season.
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