LI Nets Acquire R.J. Hunter

The Long Island Nets, the NBA Development League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets, have acquired guard R.J. Hunter off waivers.

Hunter (6’5”, 185) appeared in three games for the Chicago Bulls this season before being waived on December 29. In 39 career NBA games with Boston (2015-16) and Chicago (2016), Hunter recorded averages of 2.5 points and 1.0 rebounds in 8.3 minutes per contest. He has also appeared in 13 NBA D-League games between Boston’s affiliate, the Maine Red Claws, and Chicago’s affiliate, the Windy City Bulls, averaging 15.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals in 32.2 minutes per game. Hunter was originally selected by the Boston Celtics with the 28th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.

Most fans would remember R.J. for this March Madness moment back in 2015!

About the Long Island Nets
The Long Island Nets are the NBA Development League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets. In the team’s inaugural 2016-17 season, the Long Island Nets play home games at Barclays Center and practice at HSS Training Center in Brooklyn. Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Presented by New York Community Bank will become the permanent home of the team starting with the 2017-18 season, following the venue’s extensive renovation. For more information, please visit longislandnets.com and follow @longislandnets on Twitter and Instagram.


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LI NETS EARN COMEBACK VICTORY OVER ERIE AT HOME

The Long Island Nets (7-14) came from behind to top the Erie Bayhawks (6-13) 114-107 today at Barclays Center. The Nets are now 1-1 in their season series with the BayHawks and 5-7 at home this season.

In his third game on assignment with the Nets, Atlanta Hawks forward Taurean Prince scored a game-high 22 points with eight rebounds, four steals and three blocks in 30 minutes.

Brooklyn Nets forward Chris McCullough, also on assignment with the LI Nets, and Long Island guard Yogi Ferrell each scored 19 points in the victory. McCullough also added nine rebounds and two blocks in his 38 minutes, while Ferrell tallied six rebounds, nine assists and two steals in 39 minutes for Long Island.

The BayHawks got off to a strong start in their effort, outscoring the Nets 34-28 in the first quarter on 56.5 percent shooting. Erie’s offense continued to roll in the second quarter, with the BayHawks shooting 63.2 percent from the field.

Erie held a six-point lead, 64-58, at halftime after leading by as many as 15 points. Guard Anthony Brown paced the BayHawks with 12 first-half points, while McCullough and Ferrell led Long Island with 11 points apiece.

The Nets made their comeback in the third quarter, outscoring the BayHawks 28-16 in the period and putting together a strong defensive effort. Long Island limited Erie to just 7-of-26 shooting (.269) in the quarter while outscoring the BayHawks 16-2 in the paint to take a six-point lead, 86-80.

Although Erie tied the game up three times in the fourth quarter and even held a five-point lead with 6:07remaining in the game, Long Island stood strong for the victory after a 10-1 run late in the period.

Forward Cliff Alexander led the BayHawks with 18 points and seven rebounds in 23 minutes off the bench, while Brown recorded 16 points and seven rebounds in 38 minutes.

Both Erie and Long Island saw six players score in double figures in today’s game, with three members of each team recording double-digit points off the bench.

Long Island will face Maine next on Friday, January 6, at 1:30 p.m. EST, while Erie will travel to Delaware to face the 87ers on Friday, January 6, at 7 p.m. EST.

About the Long Island Nets
The Long Island Nets are the NBA Development League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets. In the team’s inaugural 2016-17 season, the Long Island Nets play home games at Barclays Center and practice at HSS Training Center in Brooklyn. Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Presented by New York Community Bank will become the permanent home of the team starting with the 2017-18 season, following the venue’s extensive renovation. For more information, please visit longislandnets.comand follow @longislandnets on Twitter and Instagram.


LI NETS BASKETBALL – AFFORDABLE FAMILY FUN!

Indiana Pacers’ Paul George Seeks LI’s BBall Guru for handle

Check out this story on Long Island’s own Jerry Powell of Basketball Results and how the pros seek the tutelage of the Ball Handling Guru of North Babylon, NY.

 


Pacers’ Paul George still trying to get a handle on his NBA game

Paul George wants to be a playmaker the Pacers can rely on and it all starts with taking care of the ball.

 

by

Paul George knew he could do more. He just wasn’t ready.

When the Miami Heat rallied to run past the Pacers in the playoffs last season, PG witnessed LeBron James and eventually Dwyane Wade play basketball at a level the second-year guard wasn’t prepared to match.

Watching LeBron and Wade destroy opponents on TV is one thing, but having to endure it on the court left George with his offseason motivation.

Pacers coach Frank Vogel wanted PG to work on his ball handling among other things, and to improve his ability to make plays as he prepared for the NBA season..

“I want him (George) to be extremely assertive with and without the basketball and to make the right play when he does have the ball,” Vogel said about George’s development.

When the pressure mounted the confidence in his handle and play-making ability waned. George didn’t like what he saw from #24 when it counted.

Enter Jerry Powell, one of New York City’s renowned ball handling experts. George’s agent Aaron Mintz set up PG to work with Powell for two weeks in California early in the offseason. According to Powell, George was a blast to work with and the two worked well together, so PG had Powell work him out for another two weeks in Indy prior to training camp.”

Powell also loves the Pacers and the depth they have to take on the Eastern Conference. But any further success fior the team goes back to Powell’s pupil this summer and his ability to attack and make plays when the Pacers need it most.”

 

See full story by clicking here