The Nets second round draft pick via a trade with the Clippers, UCLA guard Jaylen Hands, gave a classy shoutout via Twitter on Monday night. In an age where marquee rookies are being held out of summer league games for fear of injury, Hands is thanking the organization that he'll be starting his pro career with for the opportunity to compete in Las Vegas.
Wanted to take the time to say thank you to the @BrooklynNets for the opportunity I had to play in Summer League this month. I learned a lot and am very excited to build and get better!!!
— Jaylen Hands (@JHANDS08) July 23, 2019
This is a strict departure from the current mentality surrounding summer league games where executives and agents alike cringe at the thought of a potential star player suffering a catastrophic injury in an exhibition contest. Clearly Hands isn't concerned about potential injuries, but instead focusing on his own development as he tries to make the Nets 15-man roster. Ideally Hands would like to be one of the the active 13 players that suit up for Brooklyn, but it will be an uphill climb with guards Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Garrett Temple expected to be major contributors this upcoming season.
Hands has all the makings of a solid NBA player with a high IQ and above average shooting stroke, particularly from deep. The first-year pro has certainly endeared himself to the Nets coaching staff and front office with his remarks on his NBA Summer League experience.
While Hands somewhat underachived this summer averaging 11 minutes and 5.5 points per game while shooting 30.8% from the field and 11.1% from long range. Unfortunately for the young baller, he didn't exactly put his best foot forward during the summer months. Nonetheless, Sean Marks and his scouting department saw something special in the 20-year old floor general and he'll have the opportunity to learn from one of the NBA's best in Kyrie Irving during training camp and practices this season.
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