Inside The Nets

Brooklyn Nets' Cam Thomas to Ramp Up with Long Island Affiliate, Says Coach

Vaughn discusses a strategic approach to reintegrate Cam Thomas into the lineup, utilizing the Long Island Nets for a smooth return.

Peter Sunjic

© Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

Before his injury, Cameron Thomas stood out as the Brooklyn Nets' most impressive player this season, emerging as the team's top scorer with an average of 26.9 points per game.

He suffered an ankle injury against the Los Angeles Clippers back on the 8th of November, but he has progressed well and is on track to make a full return soon. However, head coach Jacque Vaughn has alluded to a ramp-up process with the team’s G-League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, will be required.

“Tomorrow's an off day so that kind of puts us in a tough position to schedule actual practice for him,” Vaughn said in his presser before the game against the Chicago Bulls. “Hopefully we'll get to a point where we can simulate some things with some video and G-League guys maybe in this week coming up.”

Long Island has been helpful with injury recoveries this season

Before Thomas’ injury, the Long Island Nets had been helping rookie Dariq Whitehead with his ramp-up process as well. This demonstrates that a G-League affiliate is not only beneficial for player development but also serves as a resource for players on the main roster to utilize their facilities for to get the reps they need.

Given the ongoing NBA season, Cam might receive limited attention, making Long Island invaluable for him. Recovering from an ankle injury, he requires patience to return to his optimal performance level.

Cam Thomas will have a big role when he comes back

Cam has been exceptional this season, registering multiple instances of scoring 30 or more points, including a standout performance of 45 points against the Eastern Conference powerhouse Milwaukee Bucks.

This is a promising sign for the Nets’ future because he looks to be the focal point of the organization moving forward.

Combining his offensive skills with the likes of Mikal Bridges, Nic Claxton, and Cameron Johnson, the Nets can be a competitive team for the foreseeable future. 

At the moment, he has to focus on returning to the team fully healthy because they will need him moving forward as they compete for a spot in the NBA Playoffs.

Brooklyn Nets Overcome Slow Start, Blaze Past Chicago Bulls with Sizzling Shooting

Published
Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

Home/News