The Los Angeles Lakers selected Adu Tierro with the 36th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Adu Tiello, a second-round pick, will likely receive minimal playing time during his rookie year with the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, Tiello could surprise fans as he has already started to impress Lakers head coach JJ Redick in the preseason.
At 6-foot-6, Tierro is definitely undersized to play the power forward position in the NBA. But if there’s one thing that can help him, it’s his athletic ability.
Speaking of which, Coach Redick recently gave a short reaction to why Tierro’s athleticism came as a shock during practice.
“It’s insane. His head is at the rim. It’s insane,” Redick told the media.
In the past, Tierro has compared himself to a defensive giant, but with the current situation, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Lakers started using him as a dunker.
If that happens, it would mean a change in Jared Vanderbilt’s role on the team, something that former NBA star Gilbert Arenas would no doubt be happy about.
Ahead of the 2025-26 season, Tierro missed the opportunity to showcase his talent during NBA Summer League. Tierro had to withdraw from the tournament due to a knee injury.
The rookie is now back in training, but Coach Reddick shared a realistic update on when fans can expect to see him on the court.
“He’s a participant. We’re going to take the time to make sure his biomechanics are correct, so if there’s any swelling in the knee, we can shut it off and ensure his long-term health,” Reddick said.
Tierro will likely remain on the sideline for the Lakers’ next preseason game against the Golden State Warriors.