Inside The Nets

"You're gonna have good days and bad days" - Nic Claxton's advice to younger players

Nic Claxton has grown to be a veteran now for the Nets and he has advice to the younger players.

Peter Sunjic

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Having completed his fourth year with the Brooklyn Nets, Nic Claxton has garnered valuable experience, making him a seasoned player despite his youth at 24, and now, younger players are turning to him for guidance.

The former Georgia Bulldog knows the gravity of his position on the team because he's often seen as the veteran big man. Serving as Day'Ron Sharpe's mentor, he plays a similar role for players like Dariq Whitehead and Noah Clowney, offering guidance to the younger talents on navigating their early days in the league.

"You're gonna have good days and bad days. You can't compare your journey to anybody else's," Claxton said on the team's Rookie Diaries series. "There may be another 19-year-old who's coming into the league who's playing a consistent role on the team and that may not be your journey. Just sticking to it, listening to vets, listening to your coaches, believing in yourself every single day."

Claxton is a good example of grinding it out as a youngster

In his first two seasons in the league, Claxton was only seen as a young and energetic backup big. He was the secondary choice because Jarrett Allen was superb during his time with the Nets.

At the same time, Nic was struggling with injuries as he had to get a procedure done on his left shoulder, which forced him out of the 2019/20 season early. Despite the obstacles, the 6'11" center kept working and chipping away at getting minutes. That led to Brooklyn pulling the trigger on an Allen trade to open up more minutes for the then-21-year-old.

The youngsters will learn from Clax

Whitehead, Clowney, and Jalen Wilson are the Nets' draft picks from the 2023 NBA Draft. The first two are raw 19-year-old players who will need to develop, while Wilson has emerged as a mature 23-year-old who has cracked the rotation at times.

While these three players may not rank as the top prospects in the league, they possess the potential to evolve into valuable contributors. It's crucial for them not to lose confidence, as emphasized by Claxton, who demonstrated that hard work is essential for seizing opportunities. Looking ahead, these rookies should consistently capitalize on the chances provided by Coach Jacque Vaughn.

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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.

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