Nets call up rookie Noah Clowney to fill spot left by injured Day'Ron Sharpe
Nets forward Noah Clowney looks on during the second half against the Heat at Barclays Center on Nov. 25, 2023. Credit: Noah K. Murray
Day’Ron Sharpe had ice wrapped around his right wrist after the Nets’ loss to the Grizzlies on Monday. He took a hard fall early in the fourth quarter and didn’t return until the final seconds of the game.
Sharpe was ruled out for Tuesday’s game against the 76ers with a wrist contusion. He wore a brace in the locker room and interim coach Kevin Ollie said the team was still waiting on results of an MRI.
Ollie didn’t have a timetable for Sharpe’s return. But with him out and the Nets needing size, they recalled rookie center Noah Clowney from the G League before the game. In his last game with Long Island, Clowney had 19 points and five blocks and is averaging 3.3 blocks over his last three games
“I’ve gotten tremendous reports about Noah, him doing a great job down there in the G League with Long Island, and I know he’ll be ready to play and ready to step in when his name is called,” Ollie said.
Clowney has played in seven games for the Nets, most recently during their 50-point loss to the Celtics on Valentine’s Day. But over his last six games with Long Island, he’s scored in double figures five times and grabbed nine rebounds in a win on Feb 24.
“I try to get better every game, so just picking up small things, getting better at small things day by day,” Clowney said.
During the NBA Summer League last year, Clowney had to quickly learn to focus more on rebounding and rim protection. Now, the Nets have been asking him to work on improving his offensive game, such as getting better driving to the lane while avoiding turnovers.
If Sharpe has to miss extended time, Clowney could get more of an education against NBA competition. He said he’s ready for the challenge.
“It’s just basketball,” Clowney said. “You just got to know it’s going to be a different play style from different teams. That’s the main thing. Other than that, know what you got to do and execute it.”
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
