There's a new addition to Golden State's youth movement.
In the team's 109-98 win over the Nets on Feb. 5, 2024, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr closed the game with five-time All-Star Klay Thompson on the bench. In his place was Gui Santos, a 21-year-old rookie who wasn't in the rotation to start the season.
Fellow rookie Brandin Podziemski went as far as saying Santos was the reason the Warriors defeated the Nets.
"Without him, we probably lose, quite honestly," Podziemski said of Santos. "When he came in in the second quarter he gave us some life. Then when he came in the third, you could just feel his energy and his presence both offensively and defensively.
"I think that’s why coach decided to rock with him and finish the game with him.”
Who is the new guy closing games for the Warriors? Here's what you need to know about Gui Santos.
MORE: Klay Thompson admits difficulty of late-game benchings
Who is Gui Santos?
Santos is a Brazilian basketball player who was born on June 22, 2002. He is 21 years old.
Where did Gui Santos go to college?
Santos didn't go to college. Instead, he played for the Brazilian club Minas, which competes in the Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB), between 2018-22.
Santos put himself on the NBA radar in 2019 at the Basketball Without Borders Americas camp, according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony. Before declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft, Santos was one of 13 players invited to the Nike Hoop Summit World Team, which also featured Paolo Banchero and Josh Giddey.
Santos made his senior national team debut at the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup qualification.
When was Gui Santos drafted?
The Warriors selected Santos with the No. 55 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. At the time, TSN's draft expert Kyle Irving wrote that Santos was a "draft-and-stash player."
Santos spent his rookie season playing for Golden State's G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors. In 26 games, he averaged 12.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from 3.
Santos made his NBA debut on Nov. 16, 2023. On Feb. 5, 2024, he scored a career-best nine points.
What number is Gui Santos?
Santos wears No. 15 for the Warriors. The number was last worn by Mychal Mulder between 2019 and 2021.
How tall is Gui Santos?
Santos is listed at 6-6 and 185 pounds on NBA.com and the G League's official website. He's been listed as being 6-8 and 209 pounds elsewhere.
Santos has a 7-foot wingspan, according to ESPN.
Gui Santos contract details
In November of 2023, news broke that Santos was finalizing a three-year deal with the Warriors.
Santos signed a three-year, $5.1 million contract, per Spotrac. He has a non-guarantee for 2024-25 and a team option for 2025-26.
| Season | Salary |
| 2023-24 | $1,029,483 |
| 2024-25 | $1,891,857 (non-guaranteed) |
| 2025-26 | $2,221,677 (team option) |
