"Sees a lot of himself in my game"- MarJon Beauchamp on Khris Middleton's mentorship, growing with Giannis-Dame, and more (Exclusive)
Entering his third season with the Milwaukee Bucks, MarJon Beauchamp is focused on making strides in his development and contributing to the team's success. After averaging 4.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 48 games during the 2023-24 season, Beauchamp is determined to build on those numbers as he learns from veterans.
In an exclusive interview, Beauchamp discussed how playing alongside stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard has shaped his approach.
“We’re building something special here,” Beauchamp told Sportskeeda. “Our focus is on getting better every day, and I think that’s going to show this season.”
Middleton's mentorship has been instrumental in Beauchamp’s growth, particularly in helping him develop a competitive mindset and refining his skills on both ends of the court.
“Khris sees a lot of himself in my game, and he’s always giving me advice, especially about defense,” Beauchamp shared with Sportskeeda. “He’s taught me that you have to have the mentality to go out there every day and want to guard the best player.”
MarJon Beauchamp Exclusive
Q: What are your thoughts on how training camp went and the preseason overall?
MarJon Beauchamp: "Training camp went well. Spent it in L.A., of course. Good vibes. Got a lot of dinners in, you know, team bonding. But other than that, I think the competitiveness was top-notch. Guys were going at each other. Each day, I feel like the younger group, we're getting better and better, you know, so yeah, it was a great training camp. Probably one of the best ones."
Q: What did you focus on in your development during the offseason?
MarJon Beauchamp: "Yeah, just quick decisions, you know, and being ready to shoot. I shot 40 percent last year, so I’m just trying to build off that. Also, getting stronger, getting quicker laterally so I can defend, and trying to make the right reads."
Q: Your team is entering the second season with Giannis and Dame as a tandem. How did you feel you fit in last year, and what are you excited about this year?
MarJon Beauchamp: "I definitely think it’s going to be a better year than last year. In the first half of the season, I thought we were doing pretty well building. This year, I think we’re just going to keep building off what we did last year, try to be healthy, and just be better overall."
Q: There was a coaching change this season. How helpful has it been to have a full training camp with Doc Rivers?
MarJon Beauchamp: "Nah, it's everything. You know, he gets to see us, especially the young guys, and work with us. He explains what he wants from us so we can understand, and I think it’s been great."
Q: What personal goals or benchmarks do you have for this season?
MarJon Beauchamp: "Just to help the team win. I feel like the things I do, you can't really teach—bringing energy every day, getting rebounds, guarding the best players, and trying to make their night tough. They’re going to make shots, of course, but I can bring effort and energy. I’m a young guy, so I just want to help the team win."
Q: You have some interesting veterans to learn from, like Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez. What have you picked up from them so far in your career?
MarJon Beauchamp: "Khris Middleton has been a big help. He sees a lot of himself in my game, so working with him and taking knowledge from him has been great. He told me that in practices, he, Giannis, and O.J. Mayo used to fight over guarding the best player. You’ve got to have that mentality every day, and that’s helped me be more competitive and improve on defense."
Q: Gary Trent Jr. also takes pride in defense. What excites you about the team’s defensive potential this season?
MarJon Beauchamp: "Definitely, it’s a new system on the defensive side, so we’re all learning. We’ve only played three games, but I feel like once we get it down and play together, we’re going to be unstoppable. For sure."
Q: Giannis and Dame have a lot of potential offensively as well as a tandem. How has their connection grown since last season, and what excites you about this offense?
MarJon Beauchamp: "Them two, they’re the head honchos. If they’re connected, we all feed off that. I feel like they’ve been way better than last year, playing two-man games, getting open shots, especially when Giannis brings the ball down. If we can do more of that, it’s going to open up things for them and for us."
Q: What are Giannis and Dame like as leaders? Do any stories stand out?
MarJon Beauchamp: "Giannis leads with his hard work every day. He takes it seriously, has his routine, and doesn’t skip steps. We see that, and we try to follow that. With Dame, I spent most of the summer with him in Portland, and it’s been great. He pushes me to believe in myself, sees my potential, and wants me to become the player I want to be. Working with him all summer has been amazing. These guys are incredible human beings."
With a new defensive system under coach Doc Rivers and a bolstered lineup, Beauchamp is optimistic about the Bucks’ potential as they prepare to contend for an NBA championship.