Recently, young players Nicholas Claxton and Alperon Sengong have become hot topics in the basketball world. Clarkston, born in '93, is recognized as a player with great potential, while Sengon, born in '99, is also in the spotlight. Both hope to get a satisfactory contract and show their strength and value.
Claxton is a 2.11m tall player with an arm span of 2.2m. Last season, he averaged 12.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 2.5 blocks per game during the regular season, shooting 70.5 percent from the field. He impressed the crowd with his excellent rebounding and blocking ability in a game against the Rockets. Some even claim that his defensive ability is no less than that of Jaylen Jackson Jr. of the Grizzlies.
Claxton proved his worth after a year with the Nets. His defensive prowess has been recognized by Uduka, but his three-point shooting and playmaking still have room for improvement. However, his shortcomings did not completely overshadow his excellent performances on the court. Despite his low free-throw percentage, his performance in the playoffs is still impressive.
Sengon, known as Jokic Jr., showed tough defense in his preseason game against the Heat. He had 16 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and four blocks to win Uduka's recognition. While Sengon's pre-season performance was not satisfactory, that doesn't mean he has completely lost his potential. He needs time to adapt to the pace of the game and improve his technique.
The Rockets showed keen interest in both Claxton and Sengon. A year ago, Fagan of the Houston Chronicle said the Rockets were interested in Claxton, but the Nets might not be able to offer a high-paying contract that met their demands. The Nets, on the other hand, have a high asking price for Claxton and may seek to get Amen Thompson as a trade chip.
Amen Thompson is a point guard with potential who showed excellent performance in the preseason against the Heat, and was highly praised by Van Jordan and Jaylen Green. His shooting ability is not as good as Kevin Porter Jr., but he is more like a point guard player. Uduka hopes to develop Amen Thompson as a non-sale for the team.
The future of Claxton and Sengong remains uncertain, but wherever they end up, their quality and potential will make an important contribution to the team. As young players, they still have a lot of room for development, and hopefully they can continue to work hard and become one of the highlights of the basketball world.