Boca Raton, FL – As the Miami Heat are going through the process of acclimating star Giannis Antetokounmpo to the team, the same goes for Klay Thompson, as the two went through their first training camp with the franchise this past week. With the Heat's newest three-point specialist being Thompson, he would shout out rookie Ryan Conwell in a way that could make any fan excited for another potential second-round gem in Miami.

Conwell was taken with the 37th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, as he was the lone player the Heat kept from the event, since they traded the first-round pick in the Antetokounmpo deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. Known for his three-point shooting coming out of his time in college basketball with Indiana State, Xavier, and Louisville, recording one season for each school until drafted by Miami, he shot over 40 percent from deep with the first two schools.

Though it dipped to 34.5 percent with the Cardinals, he averaged 9.6 attempts from three-point range during that season, averaging a career-high 18.8 points. His shooting from beyond the arc has been so impressive that he even beat Thompson, one of the most decorated three-point shooters of all time, in a drill this summer.

“He actually beat me in this drill this summer, so I'm a little upset by rook,” Thompson said after the first day of training camp on Tuesday, video provided by Brendan Tobin. “I was very impressed with Ryan's defense today. He picked up full court. He's in phenomenal shape. He's got a beautiful lefty jumper. I told Ryan just to stay with it. Shooting is at a premium in the NBA, so just listen to your coaches and work hard. You'll have a long, long career.”

Klay Thompson impressed w/ rookie Ryan Conwell: He actually beat me in this drill this summer, so I'm a little upset by rook. I was very impressed with Ryan's defense today. He picked up full court. He's in phenomenal shape. He's got a beutiful lefty jumper. I told him to stay… pic.twitter.com/8IGzGKW1I3

— Brendan Tobin (@Brendan_Tobin) September 29, 2026

Heat's Ryan Conwell on hearing the praise from Klay Thompson

Conwell has impressed in training camp thus far, as it started in the Summer League for the Heat where in four games, he averaged 20.5 points, four rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 41.7 percent from the field and 30.6 percent from deep. Speaking to a small group of outlets, including ClutchPoints, after the four-time NBA champions' comments, Conwell said competing with Thompson is something he doesn't take for granted.

“I mean, I had one in the shooting drill, but that didn't last too long…but it's definitely good,” Conwell said. “I mean, I compete no matter who it is,” Conwell said. “Klay is arguably one of the best shooters ever. So, to be able to compete against him and learn from him every day, I'm just thankful for it, and we do spot shooting, the different timed shooting, different things like that, and man, you can just see like he rarely misses, so I'm definitely grateful to be able to be next to him for sure.”

One would have to imagine that a rookie's confidence could skyrocket when hearing the comments from one of the most accomplished shooters in the league's history. Conwell would describe it to ClutchPoints as a “sense of gratitude.”

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“You're just thankful to be able to be acknowledged,” Conwell said. “You know, everybody wants that acknowledgement, and then you also just remain humble in a sense…I have a far way to go to even touch close to where he's reached. But just knowing, just stacking one day at a time. As long as I just keep working hard and listening to what my vets are telling me, you know, I'll get there one day.”

Heat's Erik Spoelstra on rookie Ryan Conwell

Aside from Thompson, head coach Erik Spoelstra would speak highly of Conwell, telling ClutchPoints that aside from his abilities, he “comes in like a veteran” after playing all four years of collegiate basketball.

It's the competitive spirit, tenacity on the ball, and just finding different ways to impact the game. He's not afraid with the ball in his hands or taking shots. He does it appropriately; if he's open, he shoots. Play calls for him to drive, he does that, but he's been coached extremely well in college,” Spoelstra said.

“He comes in like a veteran who's a little bit older, four years, and had major responsibilities in college as a leader and a player on both sides of the floor,” Spoelstra continued. “We'll see. I know there's interest always in the new guys, young guys; he's got a lot of good reps, and just like the rest of the young guys.”

At any rate, Conwell looks to continue to stand out for Miami, as the preseason will be a prime way for him to keep impressing, with the opener on Saturday against the Toronto Raptors.