The Long Island Nets are gearing up for the chance to develop the Flatbush 5 — the Brooklyn Nets record haul of five first round picks as well as their sixth rookie Fanbo Zheng, the Chinese big man expected
to be signed Monday.
That anticipation was something that was on full display at the Local Player Tryouts Sunday at Queens College where more than 100 hopefuls vied for a chance to fill out the Long Island roster in front of head coach Mfon Udofia. GM Matt MacDonald and the rest of the coaching staff and front office. While the day’s main work was putting the prospects through their paces, the excitement was focused on the development challenge of the Brooklyn picks.
Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf, and Danny Wolf each have made their mark in college or international basketball. The Brooklyn Nets scouts saw something in each of them and made sure to bring them to the team in the 2025 NBA Draft. Now, fans and coaches alike are awaiting their debuts whether in the NBA or G League.
Sean Marks told NetsDaily the day after the Draft that the picks will spend some time on Long Island. “I assume some of these guys will definitely spend some time in Long Island,” he said. “We’ll have to see how the season sort of plays out and what minutes are there for everybody, but at 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. There are no promises given to anybody, let alone the draft picks.”
On Sunday, Udofia was even more specific…
Specifically, Udofia noted that Long Island has used the last several weeks to acquire veteran G League talent to work with the rookies. Probably the most important: Yuri Collins the 24-year-old point guard who led the G League in assists last season.
“The guys that we acquired for this year are more veteran guys,” said Udofia. “Yuri is going into year three or four. Guys like (25-year-old shooting guard) Malachi Smith, who we got his rights, (24-year-old big) David Muoka, and we’re looking to bring back Terry Roberts and Tre Scott. Those guys add to the mix, who will be down on Long Island, and get them (the rookies) up to speed as much as possible.” Brooklyn also signed 24-year-old wing E.J. Liddell from the Windy City Bulls on a two-way.
While Udofia said that they didn’t add any new resources, per se, to help develop the rookies, but noted that the Brooklyn and Long Island staffs work together.
“Our staff is an extension of the Brooklyn Nets staff,” said Udofia, now in his third year on Long Island. “So, we’re there all summer, all training camp. Since our season ended, their season ended, we’ve been there. It’s a culture that Jordi and the staff set, and we’re just here to mimic that in the G-League. We do a really good job at communicating between both staffs, so it should be a seamless process when those guys (the entire Flatbush 5) come down.”
Long Island did announce two interesting additions Sunday, naming of two new assistant GMs, both from Brooklyn’s player development and operations staff. Kyle Hines, the Euroleague legend and player development coach, and Kory Jones, the manager of basketball operations, were at the tryouts. Both played a role in Brooklyn’s scouting operations and Hines was even given the privilege of calling in one of Brooklyn’s picks on Draft Night. They’ll work with GM Macdonald, who played a pivotal role in the NBA Draft process. He also serves as a scout for the Brooklyn team.
“It’s always exciting whenever you can add new talent and new players to the organization. I’m super excited for each of those guys and the work and journey that lies ahead. Everything we do is a collaborative process. I’m a part of that process. I think it’s exciting. I think we have a terrific group, obviously with Sean (Marks) and Jordi (Fernandez.) Just to be a part of that and all the work that goes into it throughout the year, it’s exciting. A lot of behind-the-scenes, a lot of travel, but to see it all pay off on draft night …”
Another veteran presence that Long Island will have on hand is Tyson Etienne, the Nets’ 26-year-old two-way. Etienne kept turning it up to end the season and got a two-way deal. Udofia believes Etienne can make a difference for the rookies.
“It doesn’t get any better (than Tyson Etienne), and that’s what this league is about,” says Udofia. “Last year, he started the year as a regular G League player and ended the season with a two-way contract. He’s been with Brooklyn all summer and had a really good summer league. I just love his progression. He just continues to grow. It’s the way he works. He’s a really good example to have in our gym, both on the Brooklyn Nets and the Long Island Nets.”
Another name who has been linked to Brooklyn is Fanbo, the Chinese Basketball Association’s Most Improved Player. a 6’11” small forward with 3-and-D potential. Udofia said he has already had the opportunity to work alongside of Zheng and train with him. He spoke very highly of Fanbo at the local player tryout day.
“Fanbo, first of all, is a really good human being,” Udofia told ND. “High character individual. Then, from the basketball side, he has a really good skill set, can shoot the ball, and his athleticism is good. I’m excited to coach him, excited to have him, and I think he’ll play very well for both teams.”
In addition all of this, the Long Island team is still hoping to find its diamond in the rough at their annual local player tryouts . Close to 150 people, split between two sessions, hoped to find their spot on the roster. This is something that has spelled success for Long Island in the past, most recently with Jordan Minor and Frankie Policelli last year and Terry Roberts the year before. Macdonald knows how important the tryout day i….
“This is a huge step for us in our process. Arguably, it’s step one of our season. We’ve had a lot of success here, going back to the last few years. It’s not just guys that make our team and have a great story; no, these guys have helped us win games,” said MacDonald now in his second year as GM. “They helped themselves and their professional careers, and this has been a stepping stone for a lot of these guys, and it starts here. Coach Moo and the staff do a great job. This is a practice-like environment, it’s a lot of the same drills, points of emphasis, and the overall competitiveness we want and we expect as a part of our organization.”
Among those trying out was Romani Hansen. Hansen is a former captain of the United States Virgin Islands Men’s National Team who grew up in the Bronx.. He stands at 6’9” and has a pretty lengthy resume. He played college ball at Pensacola State, Independence CC, Savannah State, and Albany from 2016 through 2020, before going overseas to play some more in Portugal, Finland, Luxembourg, Lebanon and most recently, Venezuela
“I’ve been chasing the basketball dream for as long as I can remember,” Hansen said. “I’ve been playing since I was a young kid in the Virgin Islands. It’s a great opportunity to try and come out and compete for a spot on a G-League team. The ultimate goal is to get into the NBA, but we have to work our way to it. I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”
Hansen is coming off his fifth year overseas. “Right now, I’m hoping to try to get in the G-League door. However, if that doesn’t happen, I’ll take my talents back overseas. I’m just hoping for the best right now.” Hansen was not alone in that sentiment, however, as another local tryout player, from Long Island, hoped to represent his team.
Kyle Harding, who grew up in Roosevelt, Long Island, played his college career most notably at Prairie View A&M. “To play for the Nets that would be big time. I’m home, I get to play in front of my family, and they’d finally get to see me play. In college, I was in California and Texas, so to play in New York would be a dream come true.”
Another player seeking a chance, in his case, a second chance in Long Island was, Josh Alexander. He’ redemption from last year’s tryout. “I’m just happy for another opportunity. I don’t take it for granted,” Alexander says. “I’m just happy to be here and show my agility. I left it all on the court and that’s all I can ask for.”
Long Island training camp opens at the end of October with the season opener November 7 at Nassau Coliseum vs. the Capital City Go-Go.
