Rienk Mast has been one of the standouts of the Indiana Pacers' summer league side. While he missed Wednesday's loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he has been a double-double machine and may earn himself a two-way contract despite being an undrafted free agent.
The Nebraska product has averaged 16.3 points per game along with 10 rebounds on 44/31/82 shooting splits. He and Jalen Slawson have been the only real difference-makers during the team's time in Las Vegas.
Pacers' history is rich with unheralded bigs that became stars. From Detlef Schrempf to Dale Davis, they've taken free agents and late picks and led them to greatness.
But, maybe the best comparison for Mast is his countryman and Pacers legend, Rik Smits.
The Dunking Dutchman and his history
The Pacers took Smits with the second overall pick all the way back in 1988. Back then, the college basketball landscape was much less monolithic than it is today. Seriously, Smits was a top pick out of Marist College.
He spent four years at the school and is, to this day, the only player in the WNBA or NBA to come out of Marist.
Still, Smits was worth his high draft selection, spending his whole 12-year career with the Pacers, averaging nearly 15 points and seven rebounds. As the second option to Reggie Miller, Smits and Indiana made it to the Finals only once, running into the roadblocks known as Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal every other year.
While the averages seem modest, Smits was excellent at doing the little things that teams need. Despite a litany of lower-body injuries and extreme nerve damage in his feet, he was always swarming for a rebound.
Funny enough, it is exactly that attitude that the aforementioned Mast will need if he wants to stick in Indiana.
The new age Dutchman delivers
As said above, Mast's averages in summer league are more than good enough to earn consideration for a two-way spot. While the Pacers have only one open roster spot for a full-time deal, there is nothing to say he couldn't be called up during the season, especially given the Pacers' lack of center depth.
However, while he is a monster on the offensive side, producing over five offensive rebounds a game alongside his shooting and post-scoring, he struggles defensively and often gives up second-chance opportunities.
Effort is a non-negotiable when you're on the fringe of sticking around in the NBA, and he lacks it far too often.
But maybe the answer is just a call away. The Pacers should put the two Dutch bigs in contact and claim the rewards.
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