Sixers: Coby Karl, Mac McClung Talk Jaden Springer’s Development

Philadelphia 76ers’ first-round pick Jaden Springer has seen limited action at the NBA level. Since joining the Sixers in 2021-2022, Springer has appeared in just nine games. In those nine appearances, he’s averaged four minutes on the court.

Throughout his sophomore effort, Springer’s dealt with a consistent trend of getting sent back and forth between the Sixers and their G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. As a result, Springer receives most of his minutes with the Delaware Blue Coats.

During the G League regular season this year, Springer’s averaged 30 minutes on the floor in 14 games. Considering most of his playing time happens in Wilmington, Delaware, Blue Coats coach Coby Karl has watched Springer from this past Summer League run up until late February of the regular season.

Catching up with Karl on Wednesday night following a Blue Coats loss to the Motor City Cruise at home, Karl discussed the development of Springer this season.

“Jaden’s had an incredible… I think after Summer League, even during Summer League, and then up until now, he’s just had spurts of growth the whole time,” said Karl. “He's attacking the rim, jumping off one foot. He's shooting the three-ball with confidence now. All the work he's put in, and he works, so it’s starting to come to fruition. I think all those things are adding to what he already does. He's a hell of a scorer, and then he can really defend the ball at the NBA level right now.”

When Springer was drafted by the Sixers out of Tennessee late in the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft, he was recognized as a defensive-minded guard who could boost the team’s perimeter defense. As Springer wants to increase his chances of carving out a role for himself on the main roster, he recognized he had to work on his offensive value to make it happen.

“I think his decision-making is sped up,” Karl added. “He's getting used to spacing in an NBA game. He's getting used to taking those three-pointers when they come to him. Especially I think, right before the All-Star break for about a week, he was really stepping into it with confidence. You saw it tonight a little bit. He's not reluctant at all. He's starting to build up his confidence and trust his work.”

Last season, Springer attempted 2.9 threes per game in 20 matchups. He drained just 24 percent of his shots from beyond the arc. This season, he’s putting up 3.8 threes per game, knocking down 32 percent of his threes. While it’s not a colossal improvement, the 20-year-old guard is slowly getting better on the offensive end while maintaining his stellar defensive play.

“Jaden’s a really fun player to play with,” said Sixers’ two-way guard, Mac McClung. “Super strong, great defender, you know, can score. So just seeing him develop as a player and as a person. He's a kind, funny guy that you love to be around.”

There aren’t many minutes to go around on the Sixers for guys like Springer and McClung this season, but Philly’s front office and coaching staff can at least be encouraged about the development of their late first-round pick, who is slowly but surely improving.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.