Amid the intense rivalry between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers lies a little-known friendship that has withstood the test of time, as well as the unbridled level of competition in the NBA.
Bucks veteran Khris Middleton has been mentoring Pacers stud Aaron Nesmith. Like Middleton, the 24-year-old Pacers small forward also hails from Charleston, South Carolina. In fact, both of them attended Porter-Gaud School in Charleston, which explains the deep-rooted bond between the pair.
Milwaukee Bucks News: Khris Middleton Vocal on Mentoring Aaron Nesmith
Dec 6, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) during practice day prior to the In-Season Tournament semi-finals at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
One of them is Aaron Nesmith, who is currently in his fourth season as a pro. Middleton recently revealed that he’s spent countless hours with his younger counterpart through the years as he’s done everything he can to help Nesmith with life in the NBA:
“All the summers that we spent together,” Middleton remembered, via Ben Steele of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “All the conversations that we’ve had about just playoff basketball and whatnot. It’s just fun to compete at a high stage with somebody that you’ve known since you were a kid.”
Middleton admitted that while it’s not exactly ideal that they’re on opposing teams at the moment, he remains extremely proud of what Nesmith has become:
“I’m proud to see him on this stage,” Middleton said. “Competing. Playing well, unfortunately, against us right now.
“This is what it’s about. Being a mentor at times. Going against somebody you’ve known for half your life. Proud of him. Want him to play well. Just not against us.”
Jan 3, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) shoots the ball while Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY SportsFor his part, Nesmith had nothing but good things to say about his mentor. It is clear that the 6-foot-5 forward is eternally grateful for everything Middleton has done for him:
“It’s hard to put into words,” Nesmith said after Game 2. “I’ve looked up to him for such a long time growing up. To be able to compete against him at the highest level, it’s such a great moment.
“I’ll remember this moment forever and my family will. So it’s great.”
You can be sure, however, that the friendship is temporarily set aside whenever these two teams go into battle on the basketball court. This is what we’ve seen in the first two games of this first-round series, and we expect more of the same the rest of the way.
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