Inside The Nets

Why is Royce O'Neale The Unsung Hero of The 2023/24 Nets

The Brooklyn Nets’ depth has become a huge talking point this season, but few have shone a spotlight on Royce O’Neale.

Peter Sunjic

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Ever since he was playing for the Utah Jazz, Royce O’Neale has mostly stayed under the radar. He is a no-nonsense player who works hard in every play, whether it’s defending or contributing to the offense. 

With the Nets, O’Neale has carved out a regular spot in the Brooklyn Nets’ rotation.

He's a reliable defender, adept at handling power forwards with physicality yet possessing the size and speed to keep up with smaller wings and guards, embodying the ideal glue guy—although his contributions occasionally fly under the radar.

“I think everyone has the next man up mentality. We’re a deep and versatile team, so I think using that to our advantage, playing to our strengths, and when somebody goes down, next person up and keep going,” O’Neale said about his mentality as a player off the bench.

O’Neale is producing well on offense

At 6’6”, O’Neale is a perfect plug-and-play player for the Nets since he can slot in either a small forward or power forward role. During the periods when Nic Claxton and Cameron Johnson were sidelined, he stepped up as the starting power forward, excelling with impressive shooting and rebounding.

For the season, he is averaging 8.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. Nothing truly pops out there but his role as a connecting piece has been amazing. He can make the extra pass at times, but when he’s open, he’s quite reliable with his jump shots.

Nets fans have come to love what they see with O’Neale, especially with his pump fakes. It is a good move to use, especially since the opponents are usually bamboozled by what they’re seeing from O’Neale’s fake.

Glue guys are needed to succeed in the NBA

As one of the best glue guys in the Nets squad, there is solid potential for O’Neale to contribute to the team’s playoff hopes. He is in the last year of his deal, which means he’s looking to impress to earn another contract from the Nets or other teams.

He fits like a glove with the Nets, as their hard-nosed defender who can also contribute on offense. O’Neale operates as the glue guy who connects everyone on the roster. He can also change plenty of games when he’s given the opportunity to just shoot which is present for him with the Nets moving forward.

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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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