Brooklyn Nets 2017-18 player previews: Sean Kilpatrick
No NBA player better exemplifies ‘survival instinct’ than hard-nosed Sean Kilpatrick. He made an NBA career with minimal help, despite all the obstacles in his path. Do not get it twisted, his future with the Brooklyn Nets has nothing to do with just ‘survival’ anymore. Kilpatrick is in a position to thrive this upcoming 2017-18 season.
Stats 2016-17 : 13.1 PPG, 4.0 TRB, 2.2 AST, 41.5 FG%, 34.1 3FG%, 70 Games
Some people are late bloomers. A 23-year-old rookie is old. Front offices would consider Kilpatrick ancient. After all, he was 26-years-old in his rookie season. Technically he was 25-years-old. But he only played four games that season with the Minnesota Timberwolves – so that does not count.
Kilpatrick’s road to success was not paved with gold. In fact, it was more akin to a dirt road. That is not to say he does not come from good stock. After all, New York Yankee legend Derek Jeter is his cousin.
The Yonkers-native does not lack confidence, especially when it comes time to shoot. His penchant for offense came early when he attended White Plains High School in Westchester County. He averaged a mercurial 28 points per game during his four-year high school career.
Kilpatrick played his college ball at Cincinnati. As a Bearcat, he played in the shadow of Brooklyn street legend Lance Stephenson who was also on the Cincinnati squad at the time. His ascension during his four-year college career was most evident on the offensive side of the ball. Kilpatrick displayed offensive prowess and consistency averaging 9.7 points his freshman year and topping off with at 20.6 points per game average his senior year.
Kilpatrick is the second-leading scorer in Cincinnati history with over 2,000 points. That is a big deal considering the leading scorer in Cincinnati history is none other than the great Oscar Robertson.
NBA scouts recognized his great offensive talent coming out of college, but Kilpatrick had two strikes going against him. He was a fifth-year senior, which made him ‘old’ for a rookie, even in dog years. The second thing going against him was his less-than stellar defensive skill set. Kilpatrick’s superhuman tenacity has allowed him to hold his own against better athletes on the defensive end. But truth be told, Kilpatrick struggles against more athletically-gifted players at times.
Regardless of the circumstances, Sean Kilpatrick went undrafted in 2014. He put his head down and did what every workhorse does. He swallowed his pride.
"“When you’re dealing with a 10-day like this, when you’re trying to make sure that you’re trying to stick in the league, you’re going to any and everything just to make sure that you get there. So this is part of the process, sometimes you might hear the things that you want to hear, then sometimes you don’t and with the others team I didn’t hear what I wanted to here.”-Sean Kilpatrick"
He was with the 76ers summer league squad – got signed by the Warriors – was waived by the Warriors a few days later – played for a few squads in the NBA Development League –actually played a few pro games for the Timberwolves (four) but mainly kept the bench warm – returned to the NBA D-League Delaware 87ers – played for the Bucks summer league team – signed with the Pelicans – got cut by the Pelicans before the start of the NBA season – signed a couple of 10 day contracts with the Denver Nuggets – was sent back down to Delaware 87ers
It is important to note, all that transpired over the course of less than two years.
Ancient Roman philosopher Seneca once said, “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” For Kilpatrick, an impressive 2015-16 D-League stint garnered him a D-League All-Star slot on the East squad, but more importantly, attention of some NBA higher-ups. He definitely seized on the opportunity and rose to the cream of the crop in the D- league that season, putting everyone on notice.
The Nets signed Kilpatrick to a 10-day contract in the middle of the 2015-16 campaign. This time around he did not get waived or sent back down to an affiliate. In March of 2016, after a flurry of double figure scoring games, the Nets signed Kilpatrick to a multi-year deal.
Being true to form, he did not rest on his laurels, but rather went on to score a career high 38 points and 14 rebounds in a loss against the Pacers one month after inking his first real pro deal.
In fact, he never looked back, posting appearances in 23 games in 2015-16.
In the 2016-17 Season, Kilpatrick went on to quickly become a potent offensive option for the rebuilding Nets. He scored in double digits 45 of 70 games, eclipsing the 20 point mark 11 times.
Going into this coming season there is a lot to salivate about if you are a Nets fan. It is safe to say that both the role head coach Kenny Atkinson demands from Kilpatrick, as well as his own expectations of himself, will dictate how high the ceiling really is.
With the addition of guys like D’Angelo Russell, DeMarre Carroll and Allen Crabbe, there is going to be more small-ball, more run and gun and more interdependence on the defensive side of the ball. Kilpatrick has shown an above-average ability to close-out games. The Nets need that mentality, and frankly, might of lacked some of that with Lopez on the floor last year.
The question regarding whether he will take the next step this year is not as daunting as it might seem. By all accounts, it is not If Kilpatrick will take that next step, but when. A hungry shooter like him will be getting more open looks with the new team schematic. It is fair to say he will get more open looks this season with more shooters on the perimeter, namely Russell and Crabbe.
Next: The Nets worked out Tyler Zeller
The answer regarding Sean Kilpatrick’s progression as a Brooklyn Net will come on the defensive end. Wait and see.