ORLANDO, Fla. — It’s been an emotional two weeks for Nets rookie Cory Jefferson.
On a personal level, Jefferson got a chance to fulfill a dream when the Nets made him the 60th and final pick of the NBA Draft last month, officially giving him a shot to make it into the league and do something everyone who grows up playing the game hopes to do.
But while Jefferson’s dreams were being realized, those of two of his close friends — former Baylor teammates Isaiah Austin and Pierre Jackson — were being dashed.
Austin’s story received national attention after he suffered the devastating news his basketball career was over before it started because of Marfan syndrome. His condition was detected just five days before the draft, only for NBA commissioner Adam Silver to invite Austin to the draft, stop the draft, and call Austin onto stage to fulfill his childhood dreams.
“It was emotional,” Jefferson said after scoring nine points and grabbing five rebounds in 22 minutes in the Nets’ 98-84 loss to the Thunder in summer league play Monday. “I was just happy to see him up there and be able to walk across that stage.
“It’s everyone’s dream to hear your name called and be able to walk across that stage and shake the commissioner’s hand. I’m glad he was able to do that, and they honor him with that.”
Jefferson has since paid tribute to his friend and teammate for the past two years by wearing his old number — 21 — beginning here in Orlando with the Nets.
“That was just big for me, knowing the bond we built,” Jefferson said of being able to wear Austin’s number. “We got close over the two years we were at Baylor that we played together.
“He called me right after he found out, and I went over to see him [that night].
“It’s tough. … I just wanted to be there for him.”
Things had seemed like they couldn’t be better for Jackson. After being picked in the second round by the Pelicans last year and tearing up the D-League before eventually going overseas when New Orleans decided not to sign him, he was dealt to the 76ers for a second-round pick on draft night and appeared to have a chance to play significant minutes for a rebuilding Philadelphia squad.
But that was before he crumpled to the ground clutching his right foot in his first game here Saturday, and had to be carried to the locker room where he found out he’d seriously injured his right Achilles tendon, a devastating injury that could force him to miss the entire season.
“I was actually here watching the game, when he went down,” Jefferson said. “At first I thought it was his ankle, and then after I seen how he was laying there I knew it was something bad.
“I talked to him later when I found out it was his Achilles after the game, and what was going on later, and after we got back to the hotel I talked to him a little bit.”
But like they banded around Austin, the 6-foot-9 forward said he and his fellow members of the Baylor basketball family would rally around Jackson, as well.
“For us,” he said, “it’s like a brotherhood.”
Mason Plumlee watched Lionel Hollins’ introductory press conference, and was happy with what he heard from his new coach.
“That he’s here to work, to bring discipline. He’s bringing a lot of experience, just looking at his history as a player and a coach,” Plumlee said of his initial impression of Hollins, who should be here this week. “Just a guy that’s been successful everywhere he’s been. I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Plumlee briefly left the game because of a left foot injury, but after walking under his own power to the locker room, checked back into the game.
“I twisted it a little bit,” he said. “I felt good going up and down, but the lateral stuff was a little, it kind of hurt to push off.
“It’s nothing big, though. It’s good we have a day off tomorrow, and play again Wednesday.”
A league source said the Nets continue to advance towards a contractual agreement with 2011 second-round pick Bojan Bogdanovic. The Nets will almost certainly sign the 25-year-old Croatian swingman, who averaged 14.8 points in Euroleague competition for Fenerbahce this past season, for the full mini mid-level exception, a deal worth roughly $10 million over three years. He reportedly could also have a player option for the third season.
At Monday’s press conference, general manager Billy King said he had watched film of Bogdanovic with Hollins last week, but that, “There’s nothing to announce right now … we can’t announce anything until we can announce things.”
The Nets can begin announcing signings on July 10, when the league’s annual moratorium on transactions concludes.