55th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft Gui Santos was the first Dub ever drafted directly from Brazil’s Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB)
When the Golden State Warriors selected Gui Santos with the 55th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, it barely registered as a headline. A raw 6-foot-8 wing from Minas Tênis Clube in Brazil’s Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB), Santos became the first player ever drafted directly from the Brazilian league by the Warriors, a historic but low-profile milestone.
Two years later, that quiet pick is quietly becoming one of Golden State’s most intriguing long-term projects, combining international flair with the toughness and humility that the Warriors’ culture prizes.
Guilherme “Gui” Carvalho dos Santos, born June 22, 2002, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, began his professional basketball journey with Minas at age 16. Known early for his energy and slashing ability, Santos developed through the Brazilian national youth system, showing flashes of versatility as a rebounding wing, occasional playmaker, and physical defender.
By 2021, he was a rising star in the NBB, averaging 10.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. While his shot was still developing, his upside and commitment to growth earned him draft looks. The Warriors saw something special — a combination of size, motor, and untapped potential — and selected him late in the second round.
“Gui has the tools we love,” said Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. at the time. “He competes, he learns quickly, and he has a physical edge that fits our style.”
After the draft, Santos didn’t immediately join the main roster. Instead, the Warriors placed him in the G League with the Santa Cruz Warriors, opting for a long-term development plan similar to what they once implemented with Jordan Poole and Jonathan Kuminga.
It was in Santa Cruz where Santos began to thrive. In his first full G League season (2022–23), he averaged:
- 12.8 points
- 5.7 rebounds
- 2.1 assists
- 48% FG / 36% 3P
What impressed coaches most, however, was his defensive improvement and his willingness to embrace physical contact, box out stronger players, and crash the glass.
“Gui plays like he’s been through wars,” said one G League assistant. “He doesn’t take plays off. He’s coachable, tough, and all about the work.”
By the start of the 2023–24 season, Santos had earned a two-way contract with Golden State — and began to appear in select NBA games.
Gui Santos made his NBA debut in the 2023–24 season and quickly showed glimpses of his G League form: energetic rebounding, transition hustle, and solid one-on-one defense.
While his minutes were limited (appearing in 16 games and averaging 3.4 points in 8.2 minutes), his motor and poise drew attention, especially from veterans like Draymond Green and Kevon Looney.
“He doesn’t play scared,” said Looney. “He’s out there mixing it up, not backing down. That’s something you can’t teach.”
Santos profiles as a low-usage, high-impact wing, a player who can guard 2–4 positions, make smart cuts, crash the offensive glass, and keep the ball moving. His jump shot has improved to a respectable 35% from three, and his passing has sharpened under the Warriors’ motion-heavy system.
- Rebounding for Position
Despite being listed as a wing, Santos rebounds like a power forward. He has a nose for the ball and boxes out hard, averaging 7.2 boards per 36 minutes in G League play. - Defensive Versatility
Santos can switch onto guards or wings and use his 6’8” frame to contest shots without fouling. He’s aggressive on closeouts and doesn’t shy away from contact. - Effort and Hustle
Perhaps his greatest asset is his intensity. Whether it’s diving for loose balls, sprinting the floor in transition, or setting hard screens, Santos brings maximum effort. - Maturity
Teammates praise his calm demeanor and commitment to learning, rare for someone who jumped straight from Brazil’s domestic league into the NBA ecosystem. - Shot Creation
While Santos thrives off ball movement and hustle, he’s not yet a reliable self-creator. He struggles in isolation and pick-and-roll situations. - Free Throw Shooting
He hovers around 68% from the line — not terrible, but something to improve if he wants to finish games. - Foul Discipline
Like many young defenders, Santos can be overly aggressive, picking up unnecessary fouls on closeouts or offensive rebounds.
Santos isn’t just a Warriors project — he’s Brazil’s top NBA hope since the decline of Nene Hilario and Anderson Varejão. In a country hungry for global basketball relevance, Santos represents a new wave of talent emerging from the NBB, a league that has steadily improved in player development.
Brazilian fans have embraced him as a national ambassador, and he regularly appears with the senior national team in FIBA competitions. His success could inspire more direct-to-NBA moves from Brazil in the future.
“He’s the first,” said a scout familiar with South American prospects. “But he won’t be the last.”
With a potential roster shuffle looming in Golden State — as the team navigates aging stars and cap limitations — Santos may play a larger role in 2024–25. His versatility and low-cost contract make him an appealing option for a team trying to balance winning now and developing youth.
There’s speculation he could earn a standard roster spot next season, possibly as a 9th or 10th man in the rotation. If he continues to improve his shot and discipline, a full-time role is not far off.
“He’s got the tools. He’s got the heart,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr. “It’s just a matter of reps and opportunity.”
Gui Santos may never be a 20-point scorer or All-Star, but his story — from Belo Horizonte to the Bay Area — is one of grit, patience, and belief. The Warriors, known for turning overlooked picks into contributors, may have found another gem at No. 55.
In a league obsessed with flash, Santos reminds fans what makes basketball great: effort, heart, and doing the little things right.
And if the path continues, don’t be surprised if “Gui” becomes a name Warriors fans chant louder in the years to come — not as a novelty, but as a core part of the next era in Golden State basketball.
