Brooklyn rookie dominates G League debut after surprise assignment

One game into his G League career, Ben Saraf already has a strong case to make a return to the Brooklyn Nets‘ rotation. The rookie point guard dominated in his debut with the Long Island Nets on Friday, leading the team to a 109-102 victory over the Capital City Go-Go’s.

Saraf had 21 points, four rebounds and three assists on 7-of-13 shooting for a career-high +18 in 27 minutes off the bench.

Saraf’s G League early season assignment was relatively surprising after starting Brooklyn’s first five games at point guard. The 26th pick showed flashes but struggled to score against NBA competition, averaging 3.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists on 22/17/67 shots in 18.2 minutes per game.

However, with Cam Thomas was out for three to four weeks due to a hamstring strain, Saraf’s return to Brooklyn’s rotation could come sooner rather than later. The Nets started rookie Egor Demin at point guard during Friday’s 125-107 loss to the Detroit Pistons. With Thomas out and no other point guard on the active roster, Terrance Mann and Tyrese Martin shared ball-handling responsibilities with Brooklyn’s second unit.

If Saraf continues to impress in Long Island, he should get another NBA opportunity in the coming weeks.

A trio of Nets rookies make their G League debuts during Long Island’s win over Capital City

Nets rookies Danny Wolff and Nolan Traore also made their G League debuts during Friday’s win. However, they struggled to reach Saraf’s level of efficiency or production.

Wolf scored 15 points on 4-of-16 shooting from the field and 1-of-5 from three with 11 rebounds, two assists and five turnovers. The former Michigan star has yet to play significant NBA minutes. After injuring his ankle during an opening-day shootout at Brooklyn, Wolff returned to make his NBA debut in Monday’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, playing three garbage minutes.

Traore struggled in his start at Long Island’s point guard on Friday, scoring 12 points on 4-of-16 shooting from the field and 0-of-4 from three with two rebounds, seven assists and four turnovers. The 19th pick saw extended NBA action in one game this season. He scored four points on 1-of-5 shooting with one rebound, three assists and two turnovers in 21 minutes in an Oct. 27 loss to the Houston Rockets.