The Nets have made a behavior of uncovering diamonds within the tough by the years, and Tosan Evbuomwan has been a nice shock for the membership since signing a two-way deal at the beginning of the brand new yr.
In 20 appearances for Brooklyn this season, the Princeton product — by means of Newcastle, England — has averaged 9.5 factors, 4.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 24.3 minutes per recreation off the bench. He’s already proved he belongs.
“He’s super mature,” head coach Jordi Fernandez mentioned. “Everything you ask him to do, he gets it right away and he does it. He communicates, he’s efficient, he’s a worker, he’s a pro. We’re very happy to have him, for him to be part of our club and for him to keep developing. This is not just enough. We’re happy with him, but we want him to keep working and getting better.”
Evbuomwan has showcased spectacular versatility at each ends of the courtroom. And he’s a talented offensive participant who can go get a bucket when requested. He’s reached double figures in scoring in 11 of his 20 appearances and did so in 4 straight video games from Jan. 8-Jan. 14. That stretch included a career-high 22 factors in Brooklyn’s 112-111 additional time loss to the Utah Jazz on Jan. 12.
The 6-8 ahead is simply 24 years outdated. Fernandez believes he’s solely scratching the floor of his NBA potential, which makes him the kind of participant the rebuilding Nets may put money into as they construct towards the longer term.
“How he’s grown since he’s been here, we believe that he can be a special player,” Fernandez mentioned.
As a two-way participant, Evbuomwan has solely 10 or 12 video games left earlier than reaching his restrict of fifty energetic video games, based on Fernandez. That’s why he was inactive in Thursday’s 110-97 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Middle and he’ll possible stay on G League task indefinitely till Brooklyn figures out what to do with him.
Evbuomwan has performed in simply two video games with G League affiliate Lengthy Island coming into its matchup towards the Osceola Magic on Sunday, however he’s been deadly in restricted motion, averaging 29 factors, 7.5 rebounds and a pair of.5 assists per recreation whereas taking pictures 60.6% from the sphere. He erupted for 39 factors in his Lengthy Island debut on Jan. 3 towards the Grand Rapids Gold. Friday evening towards Osceola, Evbuomwan completed with 19 factors, 10 rebounds and three assists in a 137-114 win.
Evbuomwan credited Fernandez for his latest G League success.
“I love Jordi,” Evbuomwan advised reporters after the sport. “I love everything about him, the coaching staff, in the short time I’ve been here so far. Just trying to continue the themes from when I was up there and bring them down here… Trying to be a leader down here, continue to grow, and do things that are important to here and up there in Brooklyn.”
If the Nets need Evbuomwan to be eligible for all remaining video games, they should create a roster spot for him and convert him to a regular NBA deal. In keeping with Erik Slater of ClutchPoints, Brooklyn can achieve this after Killian Hayes’ 10-day contract expires — or waive injured guard De’Anthony Melton as soon as Evbuomwan’s prorated minimal wage suits below the luxurious tax.
“I don’t have any expectations of that stuff,” Evbuomwan mentioned. “I just control what I can control whether I’m here or up top with Brooklyn. I’m trying to impact winning at the highest level I can. I’m here to win games and continue to get better, so whether it’s down here or up there it’s the same for me.”
