CAMDEN, N.J. -- The Philadelphia 76ers have had success with players on two-way deals in the past as those players have produced enough to be converted to standard deals.
The most recent examples are, of course, Jabari Walker and Dominick Barlow as both players played well enough in 2025-26 to be converted from their respective two-way deals to standard ones. There was also Ricky Council IV in the 2023-24 season as he was able to do the same.
So, for somebody like Rayan Rupert, he has examples to learn from as he looks to take advantage of his two-way deal with the Sixers.
"I talk to Jabari about it," Rupert said at practice on Wednesday. "He just tells me to work out every day, stay ready when your name is called, and yeah. Just work out every day and do
the best you can when you’re on the court."
Rupert has spent the previous three seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers and the Memphis Grizzlies. He averaged 12.2 points and 6.4 rebounds in 16 games, eight starts, with the Grizzlies in 2025-26 before landing in Philadelphia on his current deal. He had six points and four rebounds off the bench in the preseason opener on Monday.
"I just wanna do my stuff on the court," Rupert stated. "I pick up full court, crashing, doing the little things as a team to win, and I’m going to play hard every time I step on the court."
One veteran who has really worked out with him often is newcomer Jaylen Brown. The 5-time All-Star and finals MVP has been working out after practice with Rupert and his presence means a lot to the young big man from France as he pinpoints different parts of his game to work on.
"I think I need to be more consistent with my 3-point shot if I want to be on the court," Rupert stated. "So, that’s why I’m putting in the work every time after practice and working out with a guy like Jaylen Brown is a blessing for me. He’s an All-Star, one of the best two-way players in this league. So, that’s what I want to be in the future. I got a lot of work to put in every day."
Jaylen Brown, Justin Edwards, and Rayan Rupert after practice today #Sixers pic.twitter.com/QLjXexpxbt
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) October 1, 2026
Brown, obviously, is a great example for Rupert to learn from. He has been able to succeed throughout his career and there is a lot that he can teach Rupert about how to be a presence in the league. He's a great example for somebody so young to lean on and learn from.
"It’s crazy," explained Rupert of Brown. "He’s a very good player, you know? So, it’s fun to watch him every day and watch him in the game. The way he’s driving to the basket, he’s very strong, so those are the types of things. The way he’s bumping the guy, the little things that can help me to improve my game. Then defensively, like I said, the way he communicates defensively. The way he’s putting the pressure on the ball. The way he switches, stuff like that."
Rupert and the Sixers will continue the preseason schedule on Thursday against the Brooklyn Nets on the road.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Rayan Rupert talks his two-way deal with Sixers, praises Jaylen Brown
