Getting to know the Go-Go: Michael Foster Jr.

Foster Jr. is one of the few traditional front court players on the roster.

Next up in our series of noteworthy members of the Capital City Go-Go, the Wizards’ G League affiliate, is Michael Foster Jr. He is a 6-8 big man who went to the G League Ignite instead of college in 2021-2022 and has been playing in the G League ever since.

Despite entering his fourth season of professional basketball, Foster Jr. has yet to turn 22 years old which gives additional hope for his long-term upside. However, as an undersized big man, Foster Jr. doesn’t currently do much to space the floor or protect the rim. Both of which will limit his NBA opportunities unless he can show he’s so elite at other skills they value that they’re willing to ignore any deficiencies elsewhere.

Through eight games this season, he’s playing 22.6 minutes per game off the bench. He’s averaging 11 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and .8 blocks. He is making 57.1% of his threes but on only .9 attempts per game.

At any size, NBA teams are looking for their reserve big men to either stretch the floor or protect the rim. Preferably both. Foster Jr. isn’t really doing either right now, and teams are only going to excuse that because he’s young and still developing for so long.

For Go-Go fans, their first opportunity to see him in person was at the Entertainment and Sports Arena as a member of the Ignite competing against the Go-Go. He used a combination of strength, skill, and finesse on his way to 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists against the larger Go-Go frontcourt.

The G League seems like a perfect setting to find out if a player like Foster Jr. can improve in certain areas. For instance, the Go-Go coaching staff should put him in more situations to see if he has legitimate 3-point range or not. If he can show growth in these areas, he may still yet find his way onto an NBA roster.