Scott Mitchell who’s going to covering the Long Island Nets this season got an early start by checking out the G League affiliate’s open practice that welcomed 175 hopefuls.
For a better part of the past six or seven years, the Long Island Nets have been one of the top NBA G-League teams. Last year, the Nets finished in fifth place, making it to the conference quarterfinals. The year before, they were the top seed in the East and got to the conference finals. And five years ago, Long Island got to the Finals. But like every G League affiliate, turnover is high on the roster … and in the front office. Last year, more than 20 players wore the Long Island uniform.
That turnover, however, can offer opportunities up and down the roster, from GM to open roster spots including one or two usually reserved for locals who can make the grade. On Sunday, Long Island held its annual open tryouts, the first step of that process.
Matt MacDonald took over as General Manager in July. These tryouts are very important to both him and returning head coach Mfon Udofia and it was easy to see why. The number of perspective players who showed up — 175 of them put down $250 each for the privilege of trying out at the Fieldhouse in Massapequa, to show their wares, maybe live a little part of a dream.
“This is a huge thing for us from the basketball side and business side,” said Macdonald. “To get out in the community, and ultimately get our name out there. But we also had a lot of success the last couple of years with local tryout players not only making our team but also playing significant roles, starting and winning games for us.”
Indeed, Long Island found the G League’s Most Improved Player, Craig Randall II, in a local tryout three years ago and two tryout alums, Kam Hankerson and Terry Roberts, got rotation minutes last season. It’s not a fool’s errand, Udofia told both the YES Network and NetsDaily.
“I’m looking for a guy who plays the right way. High-character individuals who share the ball, move the ball, and guys who play with multiple efforts,” Udofia told YES Network when asked about the type of player he wants. “Above all else, good teammates.”
“You never know who you may find in the tryouts,” he continued in talking to NetsDaily. “Last year, we had Terry Roberts, and he played some big-time games for us and won us some games. We take this very seriously and seek to find the best available talent … “It’s very important.”
On Sunday, two 6’8” forwards looked like the best bets to make training camp this time around and perhaps the final roster, Josh Alexander and Jordan Minor are both big men, 6’8” tall are strong.
Alexander played at American University for four years, before switching it up and heading to Lithuania for a year. The 24-year-old would go from there to making the training camp with the Wizards before getting waived. This tryout meant a lot to Alexander, who grew up in Carmel, N.Y. in Putnam County and it’s easy to see why.
“Everything about me is just bigger than me,” says Alexander. “I don’t play for myself. I have a list of people I play for. It wouldn’t just be changing my life; it would be changing my family’s life. This opportunity means everything to me. Just being able to be here right now, I don’t take a single day for granted. I’m blessed and excited to be here.
“Ever since I was born my parents had a basketball in my hand. Basketball has taught me so much in my life. The adversity, the ups and downs, how to fight back and get back on my feet. It’s been a journey, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’m excited for the opportunity and excited for the next steps.”
On the other side in workouts was Jordan Minor who played Division I basketball for both Merrimack and the University of Virginia the last five years. He averaged double figures in scoring and nearly double figures in rebounding for three out of his four years at Merrimack.
Similar to Alexander, this tryout meant a lot to Minor, who’s from Massachusetts originally.
“It’s a blessing,” says Minor. “Not everyone is here. People are dreaming and wishing to be in this opportunity. I thank God and thank the Long Island Nets for bringing me out here. My dad introduced me to basketball, and as I got older, I took it and made it my own. I’ve been loving it ever since. Out of high school, I didn’t have a lot of offers. I committed to Merrimack and those were my guys and that’s family. After that, I had the opportunity to go to Virginia, and those two schools taught me how to be a pro every day. They helped me to get to this level and I couldn’t thank them enough. I’m just going to keep working every day because you never know what could happen.”
In general, Macdonald is hopeful heading into this season with Opening Night November 10 at Nassau Coliseum. With development on the horizon in Brooklyn, expect to see a lot of players heading back and forth between Barclays and Nassau.
“Overall, we’re just trying to get better every day,” says Macdonald. “We’re still trying to get organized and put our team together right now, but we have a terrific coaching staff, and those guys have done a heck of a job. Every year we try to blend winning and development, and it’s going to be the same this year. Both of those two things will be a part of it.”
Udofia took over as Coach following the 2022-23 season. Udofia came into the Nets as a former G-league assistant and former head coach of the Nigerian national team. Udofia is reputed to have a great eye for talent.
He has one new assistant familiar to Nets fans. Long Island announced this week that Jorge Gutierrez, who became a fan favorite during a two year stint in Brooklyn and Long Island a decade ago, has been named one of Udofia’s new assistant coaches.
“This is going to be his first year coaching, so I’m going to have to show him the ropes,” said Udofia of Gutierrez who retired from the Mexican League after last season. “He’s a guy who played at this level and the NBA level, so our guys can pick his brain, especially our point guards. I’m excited that he joined our staff.”