The Long Island Nets kick off their season on Friday night against the Capital City Go-Go at the Nassau Coliseum. Unlike past seasons, this one has legitimate hype. With the Flatbush 5 — Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf, & Danny Wolf — expected to play a major role on Long Island, fans are going to be witness one of Long Island’s biggest seasons if not the biggest season in the 10 years the club has been the Nets G League affiliate.
The five picks, all first rounders, will more than
likely all see time on Long Island. Rather than riding the bench in Brooklyn, they will get some serious minutes on the G League team to show fans and coaches alike what they have to offer. Traore, Wolf, and Saraf are already at Nassau Coliseum with Powell likely to join sooner rather than later when Nets performance team clears him. As for the eighth pick in the lottery, Demin, he is likely to spend the most time in Brooklyn, the least in Uniondale.
Jordi Fernandez said there’s a specific goal for the players in terms of combined playing time: 60 games between the NBA and G League. He added that he hopes to see the five develop as a group.
“We need our young guys to keep watching, keep working like they’re doing right now,” said Jordi Fernandez Wednesday. “For sure, this is the way we wanna improve as a group. Those three guys played at the end of the game [against Minnesota]…
“And now they have the opportunity to have real practices and real games. If we get the whole season with them, between playing in Long Island and the NBA, 60+ games is a win. We believe they can compete at this level; it’s just a process.”
Sean Marks said as early as the Brooklyn Nets post-press conference that he expected Long Island would be home to the picks.
“I assume some of these guys will definitely spend some time in Long Island” he said in answer to a NetsDaily question back on July 2. “We’ll have to see how the season sort of plays out and what minutes are there for everybody, but as the same time, as Jordi mentioned, it’s an environment of competitive nature out here. So that’s what we want to see. These guys go compete.”
Development is unlikely to be limited to the Flatbush 5. The Nets have two two-way players in 6’2” shooting guard Tyson Etienne who played for Brooklyn and Long Island last season and E.J. Liddell, a 6’7” power forward who’s played 20 games for the New Orleans Pelicans and Chicago Bulls the last two years. The Nets also have an open two-way slot, in fact the only two-way opening in the entire NBA. When will it be filled? There’s no rush
Finally, there’s Grant Nelson, the 7-footer the Nets signed to an Exhibit 10 in the summer. He’s also now on Long Island.
On Thursday afternoon. ND spoke with Saraf and Wolf at the Coliseum where they were practicing with other members of the G League club in anticipation of Friday night’s opener. Gathering their thoughts on the upcoming season, they spoke about where they’re most looking to develop their game and what their hopes are for their first season at the professional level.
For Saraf, his mindset is simple: it’s a “great opportunity” for him to work on the things that the team wants him to work on. “So, I’m excited to be here to work on my game. My teammates here are great, coaches of course too, so it’s going to be fun.” Saraf welcomes the opportunity to get some reps in at the NBA G League level, and get some real minutes as opposed to some garbage minutes with the big club.
“I think getting some reps on some things I need to work on, of course, my shot, my defensive stance, and other things the team wants me to work on, so it’s a great chance for me to do it,” Saraf tells ND about what he’s looking to get out of his rookie season.
He hopes to develop his “defense, offense, and his shot” out on the island. “There are a lot of things to improve on,” Saraf tells ND. Saraf was selected by Brooklyn with their 26th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, alongside fellow American-Israeli Wolf, who was selected with the team’s 27th pick.
As for Wolf, his mindset is similar. “Wherever you are, continue to develop,” Wolf told NetsDaily. “It’s the same philosophy at both places, so I just put my head down and work.” Wolf also tells ND that he hopes to develop a “little bit of everything.” “Obviously, the NBA is a different game; there’s a lot to improve on, and even for the best in the world, there’s always stuff to work on. So, continuing to just emphasize certain areas that the coaches are asking me to do, both here and in Brooklyn, and just continue to work.”
The Flatbush 5 making their presence felt on Long Island is only the tip of the iceberg for what is expected to be a big season for Brooklyn’s G League squad. There will be with two more trips to Montreal as the Nets try to build a fanbase in French-speaking Canada plus more promotions in hopes of filling the Coliseum.
Still, the 50-game G League season will be about development, development, development.
Indeed, at Media Day last Thursday, Long Island head coach Mfon Udofia and GM Matt MacDonald spoke about the focus on their development…
And development is not going to be limited to play.
“I think we do a really good job, collectively, as an organization to bring in high-character individuals,” Udofia said. “On and off the court. It’s gratifying for a coach to work with high-character individuals because when we push them, they want to be pushed. When we coach them, they want to be coached hard.”
Udofia, now in his fourth year on Long Island, also made it a point to say that although the two teams use the same offense and defensive systems, there will still be a difference between how Long Island does things. There has to be.
“Talking with Jordi, he wants me to coach the way I want to coach,” Udofia told ND. “As far as my personality, we’re two different coaches, but at the same time, we are one umbrella. It’s a seamless process for those guys in Brooklyn when they come down to Long Island with us. So, we push those guys, and we push them hard.”
The remaining roster and development staffs in the front office and on the bench were all constructed this year with thoughts of the Flatbush 5’s best interest in mind. The roster includes the likes of Yuri Collins, who’s the top playmaker in the NBA G League, as well as veteran G League big man David Muoka plus Nate Williams, (a Sag Harbor native) and Malachi Smith, all NBA-experienced players. The hope and belief from the organization is that these guys, along with returning players Tre Scott and Terry Roberts, can mentor and help the rooks when they inevitably spend time down on the Island.
Collins led the G League in assists last season as well as twice in the NCAA twice with St. Louis University. This year, not only does he hope to build upon that reputation, but also help to development.
“Just being me,” Collins says when asked how he can help develop the young guys as they cycle through. “Just being who I am, staying true to myself… I’ve been in the G League for three years now, and I have a little experience. So, I can help these young guys and even the older guys who have been in the league as well, to kind of build a bond and build some chemistry and get some wins around here… I’m here to make my mark, show who I am, and try to find a home and somewhere I can be for the next few years.”
Williams was acquired recently in a trade that saw Drew Timme join the South Bay Lakers. His ultimate goal here on Long Island is to “win.”
“I don’t care what jersey I have on,” Williams says. “I’m going to be who I am. I’m a dog and I’m going to show that. That’s what I’m going to do.” Williams is the most NBA-experienced player on the roster, having played 47 games with the Houston Rockets and Portland Trailblazers.
He understands that he’s going to have a crucial role in helping develop his young teammates. “Just giving them advice, whether they listen or not, giving them advice and trying to help them out. Being in the G League and being in the NBA, I’ve seen it all. So, just giving them advice that we’ve seen through our eyes,” is how Williams helps develop the younger guys.
Roberts and Scott are also making their way back to Long Island after a fun year last season. Both became staples on Long Island. “I got here late last year,” Scott says. “So the fact that they brought me back for what I did last year, I’m excited.”
Roberts from Amityville, is entering his third year with Long Island. “I’m excited to be here. I’m familiar with the staff and everyone around here,” Roberts says. “I just love to be back here and pour into the new guys with the knowledge that I know.”
“Just being able to speak on my experiences and being able to pass down the knowledge and show that lead by example is the way,” Scott says. “Whatever they need help with, whatever questions come up, just being able to be there and help them. We have to build that trust with them for them to come to us. I think it’ll be a pretty easy transition.”
“Like what Scott said, just being there with them for the ups and downs, you’ve been through it,” Roberts adds on helping to play a part in developing the young guys on the Brooklyn roster. “Just staying with them and pushing them and pushing each other to be better.” One of Roberts big goals this year is to become a “better leader.” That will be on full display as he becomes one of the leaders on the team.
Two other players that the Nets acquired this offseason are Muoka and Smith. Both of whom have not only years of G League experience, but also some experience at the NBA level. Smith who also was a teammate of Timme on the great Gonzaga teams, so he knows about winning. As for Muoka, this is a bit of a homecoming as this was a team where he began his G League career. The high hopes in Brooklyn have translated well for Muoka and Smith, and they are excited to work with the young blood.
Smith doesn’t want to tell them what to do. “I think it’s more about just sharing experiences,” Smith says. “Sharing areas where I’ve grown and things that I’ve learned or things that you’ll see going into this season. I think you have to go through things on your own, but you can share things like preparation for a game, and things like that.” Smith wants to be known for whatever impacts winning the most.
“Just being as much of a leader as I can be both on and off the court,” Muoka says about how he can help the rookies. “In the locker room, wherever I can be. Just helping the guys out in that way and doing what I can from that perspective.” Muoka is working on becoming a better defender this season and wants to work on his confidence and shooting from beyond the arc.
Nelson is one of the more interesting off-season acquisitions become of his back story. A top big man last year at Alabama, he passed on being taken in the second round of the draft so he could sign with the Nets…
ND spoke with him as well Thursday.
“My shot,” Nelson said when asked what he’s been working on while with Long Island. “I’ve been working on that a lot this summer. Guarding 1-through-5. I think if I can switch on the guards. if I can guard them on the perimeter, I think that would help me. My game, overall my game, learning the game.”
Indeed, Long Island’s GM, Macdonald said it’s not just about the Flatbush 5. He wants to build the best team possible. “You get 10 guys on the G League roster,” Macdonald says. “Our goal is to build the best 10 possible. I think whether we have the two-way or the assignment players, that’s out of our direct control; our job is to steer Long Island in one direction, and that’s the direction of growth… Very excited about the group we have and these guys bring a lot of what we’re about.”
Ironically, the Long Island roster already includes a Brooklyn Nets draft pick … from 2020. Jay Scrubb, a 6’4” shooting guard from John A Logan, an Illinois community college and the JUCO player of the year that season, was taken with the 55th pick that year then immediately traded for Reggie Perry in a three-team trade. Perry played a season for Brooklyn. Since then, he’s played 24 games in the NBA — for the Los Angeles Clippers and Orlando Magic — as well as for the Maine Celtics, the Boston affiliate who traded his rights to Long Island.
In addition to the players, the organization has beefed up the coaching staff with three new additions, all G League vets, and front office support as well. The big front office addition is assistant GM. Kyle Hines, the Euroleague legend who served as a player development coach and scout for Brooklyn last season. He will maintain his Brooklyn roles. Kory Jones, other new Long Island assistant GM, will also continue in his Brooklyn role as director of player engagement.
The 16-game Tip-Off Tournament kicks off Friday night, November 7th, at the Nassau Coliseum as Long Island takes the court to battle the Capital City Go-Go at 7 p.m. EST.
