Small town stars Grant Nelson, Chaney Johnson make case for bigger roles as Nets two-ways

There are only so many spots available on any NBA roster. That’s especially true for a young team like the Brooklyn Nets — average age 24.31 years, with rookie contracts accounting for eight of their 15 standard deals.

That’s why Summer League, training camp, and the preseason are so valuable for those Exhibit 10 and two-way players hoping to make their way up the totem pole. For Exhibit 10’s, the goal could be to show enough to eventually earn a two-way spot, while those already on two-way deals look to prove they deserve a standard contract.

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As Chaney Johnson and Grant Nelson enter their second year with the Nets organization, and their first full seasons on two-way contracts, proving themselves is exactly what they sought to do all offseason.

Both have a different, tougher background than many of their teammates. They are natives of small town America — Johnson from Alabaster, Alabama, Nelson from Devil’s Lake, North Dakota. They were passed over by big schools, winding up at smaller schools, the University of Alabama at Huntsville and North Dakota State before, ironically, joining rivals Auburn and Alabama.

Now, even after going undrafted, they’ve almost made it as NBA two-ways. The problem, however, is that with so many young players and established veterans competing for minutes on a team now looking to win, playing time is already limited.

Regardless of the minutes available, Johnson and Nelseon have done everything they can to show Sean Marks 7 organization they can perform at the NBA level.

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Chaney Johnson

Let’s start with Johnson, 24, who has, quite literally, done just about everything the Nets could have asked of him since joining the organization as a two-way in December.

After starting his college career at Division II University of Alabama Huntsville, going undrafted out of Auburn, and spending time with the Cleveland Cavaliers on an Exhibit 10 deal, Johnson made an immediate impact in the G League for the Nets.

Across 24 outings for Brooklyn’s G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, he averaged 14.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals before earning an opportunity to…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/small-town-stars-grant-nelson-211736168.html

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Publish date : 2026-10-19 21:17:00

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