Day’Ron Sharpe was a vibrant spot for the Brooklyn Nets in an in any other case forgettable 113-99 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Monday. The fourth-year middle had his greatest efficiency of the season, posting 16 factors, 13 rebounds and 5 assists on 8-of-13 capturing. He had a team-best +9 in 22 minutes coming off the bench.
Sharpe’s offensive rebounding stole the present for lengthy stretches through the loss. The 23-year-old grabbed 9 offensive rebounds, in comparison with 5 for the whole Pacers workforce.
“I’m very pleased with my offensive rebounds. I name it my bread and butter,” Sharpe mentioned. “You higher lock me up. Individual. You 7ft 4in, you 7ft 5in, it would not matter, you higher lock me up. I really feel like I can do it towards anybody, irrespective of your weight or dimension.
Sharpe’s rebounding has been his calling card because the Nets chosen him twenty ninth total within the 2021 draft.
Day’Ron Sharpe posts greatest efficiency of season for Nets as commerce deadline approaches
The previous first-round choose ranked second within the league in rebounding proportion final season, behind Andre Drummond. He additionally made vital strides as a finisher, passer and defender through the 2023-24 marketing campaign, areas the Nets hope to see him construct on this yr.
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“Spectacular,” head coach Jordi Fernandez mentioned of Sharpe’s efficiency Monday. “His effort, second, third, fourth on the glass, that’s his superpower. That is why we want him to convey that to each sport and proceed to enhance in different facets. At the moment I discovered it implausible. The extra items, but in addition the ending. It is a good step for him, but in addition, the truth that he is doing this makes us higher. All of those reps are at present enormous. And once more, I am very comfortable for him.
Sharpe has struggled to achieve full power with the Nets in 2024-25. The North Carolina product missed the whole preseason and the primary six weeks of the common season with a hamstring pressure. Over his first 15 appearances, he averaged 7.3 factors, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 44.8 % capturing in 16.7 minutes per sport.
“I really feel like I nonetheless have room left. I simply really feel prefer it’s the start,” Sharpe mentioned when requested about his progress this season. “About three video games in the past, I really feel like I used to be actually beginning to really feel like myself once more. I am simply getting back from an harm and I have never performed in months, I am nonetheless looking for my manner. And I really feel like that is the start.
The Nets will quickly face a call on Sharpe’s future. A number of groups have expressed curiosity in buying and selling for the middle earlier than the Feb. 6 deadline, league sources instructed ClutchPoints. With Sharpe within the closing yr of his rookie deal, Brooklyn should determine whether or not to commerce him or use a few of their league-leading cap house to re-sign him this offseason.
The Nets signed Nic Claxton to a four-year, $97 million contract final summer time. In the event that they determine to maneuver on from Sharpe on the deadline, they may usher in one other backup middle through the draft. Brooklyn has 4 first-round picks.
