Reece Beekman added as a two-way, Jacky Cui is waived

So who is Reece Beekman the 6’3” point guard the Nets acquired in Dennis Schroder trade?

The Dennis Schroder trade also will affect the Long Island Nets. Reece Beekman, a 6’3” defensively oriented point guard, comes to Brooklyn from Golden State as a two-way player,. But that also meant the Nets had to cut someone and Jacky Cui became a casualty of the trade. Cui, who tore his ACL in last Wednesday’s game and is out for the season, was waived by the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.

Despite his slow start, it seemed as if Cui was finally starting to find his footing on the court, playing a much more physical game. Cui averaged 6.2 points, 2,6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. Not ideal. But in his last full game before being injured earlier this week, he recorded 14 points, four rebounds, two assists, and even had three steals for Long Island easily his best outing. With Brooklyn the 6’7” guard played only 10 minutes in five games all in garbage time scoring a total of six points.

Looking ahead, It remains to be seen exactly where Beekman will play more, in Brooklyn or Long Island, With Ben Simmons the only natural point guard on the Brooklyn roster, he’s insurance for the big club, but he can be expected to see some time in the G-League as well.

Beekman played four years of college ball at Virginia after being named Mr. Basketball in his native Louisiana and winning four state championships. In his time at Charlottesville, Beekman was a two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Second Team All-ACC, Third Team All-ACC, and a member of the ACC All-Defensive Team three years.

Last season, he averaged 14.3 points, 6.2 assists and 2.0 steals. He finished his career as Virginia’s all-time steals leader.

Beekman had a big fan in the Cavaliers veteran head coach Tony Bennett who after after his four year guard’s final game praised his leadership and development.

“For four years, I’ve never seen a guy get better and better,” said Bennett who coached at Virginia for 15 years, winning the NCAA title in 2019, before retiring. “And somebody is going to be very fortunate at the pro level to have this guy.”

His new coach, Jordi Fernandez, offered his assessment of how Beekman fits in with the new-look Nets.

“Excited to have him,” said Fernandez Sunday. “He’s a defensive-minded player. I think he led his conference in steals. A point guard who will help our ball pressure. our activity on defense, playmaking, running the team. So excited to have him. He’ll get here soon.”

Beekman already knows one of his Long Island Nets teammates. He played his final season at Virginia with Jordan Minor, Long Island’s power forward.

After going undrafted in last June’s NBA draft, Beekman signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Warriors on July 3. After playing limited time in the California Summer League — two games averaging 7.0 points — he was assigned to Golden States’ G League affiliate where he excelled.

He played in nine games with the Santa Cruz Warriors starting seven of them. In those nine total games, Beekman averaged 18.7 points on 52/35/60 shooting splits to go along with 5.2 rebounds and 7.3 assists. Most impressively, he averaged 2.8 steals a game, sixth in the G League. In comparison Killian Hayes, the starting point guard for Long Island, has averaged 12.3 points and 7.0 assists but the Frenchman has been inconsistent as a shooter as his 42/28/60 shooting splits show.

Wilko Martinez Cachero of Sports Illustrated had this to say about Beekman’s chances of success in Brooklyn.

The Virginia alum immediately gives the Nets and head coach Jordi Fernández another point-of-attack defender. The best option on the squad for that right now is likely Keon Johnson. Beekman is also a natural point guard, although Brooklyn has some ballhandlers already in Ben Simmons, Shake Milton, Trendon Watford or potentially Cam Thomas once he returns from injury.

Beekman is listed as out for Brooklyn tomorrow night, the Nets citing the trade rather than G League assignment. He will wear No. 4 for Brooklyn per Etienne Catalon who tracks such things.