Nets Summer League: Final Edition of ‘Get to know’
By Josh Rudy
Nathan Boothe
Profile
Age: 23
Height/Weight: 6’9″ / 250 lbs
Position: PF/C
Hometown: Gurnee, IL
College: Toledo
2016-17 Statistics (Italy): 24 minutes/game, 11 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 47% 3PT
Draft: Undrafted
After going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft, Boothe spend this past year playing professionally in Italy for Pistoia. While he may not be lighting up the international stage like Russ Smith, his numbers are solid for his first year participating in professional basketball.
He, like many others on the Nets Summer League roster, has a high basketball IQ. He’s a deadly back-to-the-basket scorer, which is something the Nets now lack with the departure of Brook Lopez. In addition, he has the ability to step out and knock down mid-range and three-point shots. As a senior at Toledo, he shot 38% from downtown. In his first year in Italy, he converted those attempts at a 47% rate. IMPROVEMENT!
Most likely, the Nets envision Boothe as a potential stretch-four, with the ability to go down low and create offense. Not only is he a gifted scorer, but also possesses fantastic court vision, making him a dangerous passer. As a senior, he averaged 3.3 assists per game, which is a solid number for a player who primarily does his work in the painted area.
The Nets would benefit from Boothe becoming a more consistent rebounder and defender, but these are areas that can improve with proper development. Most Summer League players are far from ‘complete.’ There will be weaknesses in each player’s game, but these same players will also have strengths that they hope will outshine their weaknesses.
For Boothe, his calling card will be creating offense and knocking down outside jump shots. Personally, I think Boothe will be one of the Nets top performers in Las Vegas. He plays an extremely ‘mature’ game, which is a quality most summer leaguers lack. If he can take advantage, Boothe will put himself in an outstanding position to move forward with the Nets.