Ryan Rollins Is Leveling Up in Milwaukee

Ryan Rollins celebrates during Milwaukee’s win

There’s a certain calm to Ryan Rollins’ game, that slow-beat tempo of a fundamentally sound guard who doesn’t do much that wows the casual fan, but everything he does just works. No wasted dribbles, no ball hunting — just good, solid basketball from a kid who knows how to hoop the right way.

Here’s another receipt that if you’re good, the NBA will find you. But that depends on how you play, whether you can play the right way, stay within the flow, and fit the system of what a particular franchise is looking for.

The Michigan native has spent the last three years turning setbacks into setup plays. A second-team All-Stater in high school, Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year at Toledo, and first-team All-MAC before declaring early for the 2022 NBA Draft. Atlanta took him with the 44th pick, then flipped him to Golden State for Tyrese Martin — and that’s when the NBA roller coaster began. Which, let’s be honest, is pretty typical for second-rounders. You gotta fight for your space.

Foot surgery cut his rookie season short in 2023. That same June, he got tucked into the Chris Paul-to-Golden State trade. In January 2024, Washington waived Rollins — and that’s when Milwaukee called. The Bucks offered a two-way contract with their G-League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd. Rollins made the most of it, turning that opportunity into a three-year, $12-million deal this past summer.

Now he’s earning every decimal of it.

The poise, the pace, the playmaking — and that fundamentally sound game — are all rising with his minutes. He’s steady in ball screens, rarely sped up, always under control. The confidence? Sky-high.

This week has felt like the official arrival for those who may not have followed or seen him play much. And you can tell Rollins has been embracing this moment. You have to be mentally tough to fight through injuries and team changes — it’s all part of the NBA reality.

Tuesday night, he dropped 25 points on the Knicks, including a late possession where Giannis handed him the rock to bring it up and create — a sign of trust from one of the best players in the world. Then he doubled back last night with 32 points, 8 assists, and 3 boards against his former team, Golden State. Shot 13-of-21 from the field and 5-of-7 from three — and picked up two wins — one of them coming without Giannis Antetokounmpo in the lineup.

Around the league, former players and analysts have started to take notice. They see a young guard whose confidence is catching up to his craft. Rollins now looks like a player who’s stopped waiting for permission to shine. He’s just hooping — calm, composed, and clearly coming for more.

And always remember: confidence breeds success. This week, Ryan Rollins is proof that the cycle works both ways.