NBL21: Isaac Humphries’ high praise for teenage Adelaide 36ers rookie Josh Giddey

His playmaking ability has many predicting an NBA future, but teammate Isaac Humphries says there is another innate quality that makes Josh Giddey special.

Teenager Josh Giddey is putting together a brilliant rookie season for the Adelaide 36ers. Picture: Getty Images

Teenage Adelaide 36ers wunderkind Josh Giddey is a “fighter”, his big man running mate Isaac Humphries says.

The 18-year-old has set tongues wagging with his maturity and ability to run an offence, many believing his next port of call will be the NBA if he continues on this trajectory.

But Humphries said it was his resilience and ability to quickly forget mistakes that makes him special.

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Teenager Josh Giddey is putting together a brilliant rookie season for the Adelaide 36ers. Picture: Getty Images

During the hectic final moments of the Sixers’ thrilling victory over South East Melbourne, Giddey was first called for an offensive foul that left the door open for the Phoenix, before he ripped down a defensive rebound on the very next play that secured the 99-94 win.

That, on the heels of his early season head knock, where he face-planted the floor and got up to continue playing.

“Gid’s a great player and he has that ability to bounce back and move on and he’s a fighter,” Humphries said.

Isaac Humphries and Josh Giddey have clicked on the court. Picture: Getty Images

“He’s 18 and there’s little things that we’ve got to help him with, but the good thing about Gidders is he is so happy to learn.

“We see that a lot. He will make that little error and he will fight and he will turn it around and try to fix that mistake and redeem himself.

“It’s a really good quality of his.”

Giddey flirted with a triple-double on his way to 15 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds and is one of the leading early candidates for the NBL’s rookie of the year award.

The Sixers have had a topsy-turvy season and coach Conner Henry puts that down to a young group trying to learn a new systems.

“Sometimes we have bad days at the office, probably like you do, so we’re growing,” Henry said.

“Sometimes we’ve looked really special at times and put together 40 minutes, a couple of overtime victories, so today (against Phoenix) was one of those games.”

The Sixers don’t have long to prepare for their next test, such is the nature of the condensed NBL Cup, with the top of the table Melbourne United lying in wait Thursday night.

Originally published as NBL21: Isaac Humphries’ high praise for teenage Adelaide 36ers rookie Josh Giddey