The Nets have made a habit of uncovering diamonds in the rough through the years, and Tosan Evbuomwan has been a pleasant surprise for the club since signing a two-way deal at the start of the new year.
In 20 appearances for Brooklyn this season, the Princeton product — by way of Newcastle, England — has averaged 9.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 24.3 minutes per game off the bench. He’s already proved he belongs.
“He’s super mature,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said. “Everything you ask him to do, he gets it right away and he does it. He communicates, he’s efficient, he’s a worker, he’s a pro. We’re very happy to have him, for him to be part of our club and for him to keep developing. This is not just enough. We’re happy with him, but we want him to keep working and getting better.”
Evbuomwan has showcased impressive versatility at both ends of the court. And he’s a skilled offensive player who can go get a bucket when asked. He’s reached double figures in scoring in 11 of his 20 appearances and did so in four straight games from Jan. 8-Jan. 14. That stretch included a career-high 22 points in Brooklyn’s 112-111 overtime loss to the Utah Jazz on Jan. 12.
The 6-8 forward is just 24 years old. Fernandez believes he’s only scratching the surface of his NBA potential, which makes him the type of player the rebuilding Nets could invest in as they build toward the future.
“How he’s grown since he’s been here, we believe that he can be a special player,” Fernandez said.
As a two-way player, Evbuomwan has only 10 or 12 games left before reaching his limit of 50 active games, according to Fernandez. That’s why he was inactive in Thursday’s 110-97 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center and he’ll likely remain on G League assignment indefinitely until Brooklyn figures out what to do with him.
Evbuomwan has played in just two games with G League affiliate Long Island entering its matchup against the Osceola Magic on Sunday, but he’s been lethal in limited action, averaging 29 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 60.6% from the field. He erupted for 39 points in his Long Island debut on Jan. 3 against the Grand Rapids Gold. Friday night against Osceola, Evbuomwan finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds and three assists in a 137-114 win.
Evbuomwan credited Fernandez for his recent G League success.
“I love Jordi,” Evbuomwan told reporters after the game. “I love everything about him, the coaching staff, in the short time I’ve been here so far. Just trying to continue the themes from when I was up there and bring them down here… Trying to be a leader down here, continue to grow, and do things that are important to here and up there in Brooklyn.”
If the Nets want Evbuomwan to be eligible for all remaining games, they have to create a roster spot for him and convert him to a standard NBA deal. According to Erik Slater of ClutchPoints, Brooklyn can do so after Killian Hayes’ 10-day contract expires — or waive injured guard De’Anthony Melton once Evbuomwan’s prorated minimum salary fits under the luxury tax.
“I don’t have any expectations of that stuff,” Evbuomwan said. “I just control what I can control whether I’m here or up top with Brooklyn. I’m trying to impact winning at the highest level I can. I’m here to win games and continue to get better, so whether it’s down here or up there it’s the same for me.”
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