Long Island Nets set for tipoff

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There’s a new game in town, basketball fans. 

The Long Island Nets, the latest addition to the NBA Development League (D League) are set to begin their inaugural season. Long Island, an affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets, will play in the league’s Atlantic Division.

The team will play its home opener at the Barclays Center on Wednesday, Nov. 23 when the Canton Charge comes to Brooklyn. Long Island will move to the renovated Nassau Coliseum for the 2017-18 season and beyond.

For the most part, the 22-team league comprises players who have had a taste of NBA action, played professionally on foreign soil, and those who need to hone their skills a bit more as they await their first call-up from a NBA team. An estimated 35 percent of the players on 2016-17 opening night NBA rosters have spent time in the D League. 

The Nets will be led by a young, energetic coach in 26-year old Ronald Nored. The 2012 Butler University graduate who played in back-to-back NCAA title games, spent two seasons in the Boston Celtics organization as player development director. In addition to his solid reputation as an up-and-coming coach, Nored was lauded for the role he played in off-court development.

“I’m very excited to have this opportunity with the Nets,” Nored said. “This organization is made up of great people who want to succeed. The players are in a unique situation in being able to play their games in an NBA arena, practice in the same facility as Brooklyn, and run the same system. We should be exciting to watch. We’re athletic, long, and defensive-minded, and the players have exceptional character.”

Point guard Yogi Ferrell was recently called up to Brooklyn with Jeremy Lin out with an injury. Nored is expecting a lot from Ferrell on both sides of the floor. Forward Chris McCullough, who saw time with Brooklyn last season, should be tough at this level.  

Egidijus Mockevicius, a 6-foot-10 center who earned All-Missouri Valley Conference First Team honors as a junior and senior, and was the conference’s defensive player of the year in his final season at Evansville, should be a beast in the paint for Long Island. 6-9 forward Beau Beech is lethal from the perimeter when he heats up.

Boris Dallo, a 6-6 point guard from France and the team’s top pick in the D League draft, is quick and plays shutdown defense. Playing at this level will enable Dallo to improve his perimeter game. Gary Forbes, who has played in over 100 NBA games, will play both shooting guard and small forward.

Guard Carrick Felix, a second-round pick of the Cavaliers in 2013, missed all of last season with a knee injury. During previous time in the D League, he averaged 10.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Veteran Donnie McGrath, who starred at Providence College, has played in Europe for a decade. He can light it up from the perimeter. Fans should remember guard Austin Freeman from his days at Georgetown. 

Dwayne Polee Jr, Devin Brooks, Trahson Burrell and Lazar Hayward round out the roster.

For more information, visit the team’s website: http://longisland.dleague.nba.com/