SAN FRANCISCO – As the Warriors await the recoveries and returns of centers Al Horford and Quinten Post, they also must know it’s essential to have a safety net behind oft-injured big man Kristaps Porziņģis.

Enter Charles Bassey. His pedigree, profile and history don’t compare to Horford or Porziņģis. His three days with the Warriors don’t compare to Post’s two seasons. Bassey signed with Golden State on Sunday morning, and played 10 minutes that night.

Bassey played 27 minutes Tuesday night. Not only played, but filled a crucial role in Golden State’s 110-105 win over the Sacramento Kings.

“He’s a really impressive player,” coach Steve Kerr said after Bassey gave the Warriors 14 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, two blocks and two steals, posting plus-9 on those 27 minutes.

He was there because Horford, Porziņģis and Post were not. Horford played 3-on-3 and possibly could return Thursday or Friday after missing 13 games with a right calf strain. Porziņģis was listed as questionable Tuesday afternoon with right knee soreness but was declared out an hour before tipoff. Post has missed the last three games with a right foot injury.

Which leaves Draymond Green and Bassey as the available centers. Green started at center against the Kings, but Bassey came off the bench and excelled whether replacing Green or alongside Draymond when he moved to his natural power forward position.

It’s rare that a free agent who has played for four different NBA teams in five seasons can make much of an impression on a fifth team that signed him with five games remaining on its schedule. That role generally means a seat on the bench. Maybe you’ll get some run. Maybe.

Bassey is an exception. He acts as if he belongs. In his first two games with the Warriors, everything the 6-foot-10, 230-pound center/forward does on the court exudes a determination to be seen and appreciated.

“It means a lot, man, to have this opportunity,” Bassey told NBC Sports Bay Area. “I’m just trying to use this because, you never know when your chance will come. It means a lot just being here. They gave me this opportunity, and it means a lot to me, my family and the team.”

Bassey, 25, grew up in Lagos, Nigeria selling chicken for his family. He played soccer until growing beyond 6 feet before his 13th birthday. Within two years of playing basketball, he stood 6-foot-10 and was voted MVP of a basketball camp, Giants of Africa, conceived by former Toronto Raptors vice president/general manager Masai Ujiri. It didn’t take long for Bassey to be persuaded to come to America, where he finished high school as a prize recruit.

After a stellar three seasons at Western Kentucky, Bassey was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft. He played 21 NBA games – 90 with the San Antonio Spurs – before landing with the Warriors.

“Very live body,” Green said. “He’s a really good shot-blocker, rebounds the ball well. A lob threat, great finisher around the rim. He’s got really good hands. That’s the one thing that kind of stood out most to me.

“I think he’s getting more and more comfortable, but he’s been good these least couple games.”

Bassey is not here simply because the Warriors need to fill out their roster. He’s here to help a team short on manpower. And to provide elements conducive to winning. 

Imagine, if you will, combining Kevon Looney’s thirst for rebounds in traffic and JaVale McGee’s knack for snagging passes near the rime and dunking. Who else on Golden State’s roster can routinely do those things?

“I just try to get extra possessions for my team,” Bassey said. “That means extra shots for Steph [Curry], just extra possessions just to try to help. That’s what I do, man, just bring that energy every time for my teammates, regardless of how many minutes I play or what I do out there.

“I just know my job is just to go out there and just give them extra juice, an extra boost every time.”

Bassey and his 7-foot-3 wingspan can make the kind of impact that has a legitimate purpose on these Warriors. Most members of the roster belong to the 6-foot-6-and-under club. Those who are taller are, well, dealing with various levels of discomfort.

There’s no knowing where Bassey will fit in once the other centers are healthy. He certainly will move further down the bench. But he serves as quality insurance for a group often thinned by injuries or illness. He’s needed now, and might needed later.

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