02-07-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Bay Area native Chance McMillian's Warriors dream delayed but not denied
Chance McMillian didn't remember Wednesday how many Golden State Warriors games he attended at the former Oracle Arena.
He didn't forget his vantage point.
'I was sitting way up in the stands,' McMillian said through a smile — from his seat in Chase Center's Bill King Interview Room.
Raised in Vallejo a fan of the Warriors and signed to an Exhibit-10 contract by them last week, McMillian, a sharpshooting undrafted rookie guard, is living his dream … almost. A stress fracture in his left ankle intensified last season, requiring repair through surgery last month and he won't play for Golden State's summer-league team, his left foot braced by a walking boot.
McMillian said he's set to undergo another evaluation Thursday to establish a return-to-play timeline, hoping to be healthy by training camp.
'That's my goal,' McMillian affirmed.
The son of Muni operators turned Grand Canyon, Texas Tech and Golden State guard, McMillian said he's been watching the Warriors since Baron Davis played their point. He attended one of their camps during Stephen Curry's rookie season and met the four-time NBA champion.
'I'll never forget that,' he said, sharpening his handle, jumper and feel — and following along as their dynasty developed.
McMillian's first three years of high school were played for St. Patrick-St. Vincent, where he averaged 13.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists in 2017-18 as a junior. He further flourished his senior season at Jesse Bethel, logging 28.8 points in conference play en route to Tri-County Athletic League Stone Division MVP honors.
He played club basketball for the Oakland Soldiers and a postgraduate season at Golden State Prep preceded matriculation at Grand Canyon, where a breakout junior season (10.9 points, 44.4% 3-point shooting) triggered a trip through the transfer portal to Texas Tech. In two seasons for the Red Raiders, he'd average 12.5 points on 50% shooting and 41% shooting from deep on 5.2 attempts per game.
The NCAA Tournament brought him to Chase Center, where his college career ended against the national champion Florida Gators.
'I was locked in' during play, McMillian, an All-Big 12 second teamer, said, 'but still, I was like 'I'm at the Chase Center right now.' … We came down here into the practice facility and I remember telling my friend (and former teammate) Darrion Williams — I was like 'I need to touch the basketball so I can get ready for this workout for after the season, just in case they call me or something like that.' And what do you know?'
McMillian said he learned of Golden State's interest in him at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, a longtime pre-draft showcase and camp conducted every spring in Virginia. During conversations with Warriors officials, the 'whole time I was … jumping out of my body,' he said. 'I'm like 'Oh, I'm talking to the Warriors.' … We just went from there.'
McMillian played through the ankle discomfort last season for five or six months, and though he won't play for the Warriors this summer, he's eager to spend it with their summer league team. He said he wants to 'pick up things as fast as possible' and operate with 'the mindset of playing.'
Regarding his fit in Golden State's system as a seasoned 6-foot-2 guard, he said 'I can handle, I can play off of people, I can spot up in the corner, play defense. … I honestly feel like I can play within the system.'
As soon as he heals.
'(Playing for Golden State is) like a dream come true, honestly,' he said. 'But I still have some more work to do to really reach my goal, what I really plan on doing with the Warriors.'
