Brooklyn Nets add late-bloomer Nuni Omot to camp roster

The Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday announced they had signed undrafted free agent forward Nuni Omot from Baylor to fill the final open spot on their camp roster.

The Brooklyn Nets filled the final open spot on their training camp roster on Tuesday when they announced the signing of undrafted free agent forward Nuni Omot.

Omot, whose 24th birthday is Oct. 3 (the same day the Nets open their preseason schedule by hosting the New York Knicks), is a well-traveled individual and player who played with the Golden State Warriors during NBA Summer League action in both Sacramento and Las Vegas.

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Born in Nairobi, Kenya, Omot was born in a refugee camp after his family had fled their native Ethiopia, which was in the midst of a devastating civil war.

Omot’s mother and brother eventually reached the U.S. and settled in Mahtomedi, Minn., according to the White Bear Press of White Bear Lake, Minn.

Omot is the very definition of a late bloomer. He played on the JV team at Mahtomedi High School as a 6-foot-1 junior. But he averaged 18 points per game as a senior after growing to 6-foot-5 and 170 pounds.

He’s now 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot wingspan.

Omot had a well-traveled college career, enrolling in 2013 at Concordia University-St. Paul, a Division II school and did not play as a freshman as he redshirted in order to catch up academically.

In 2014-15, he averaged 12.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game and transferred to Indian Hills Community College in Iowa with his eyes on a Division I opportunity.

After averaging 12.2 points and 5.4 rebounds in 33 starts at Indian Hills, Omot transferred to Baylor for his final two seasons and bloomed into a solid shooting wing as a senior after playing 25 games as a reserve as a junior.

He averaged 9.9 points and 3.7 rebounds in 23.7 minutes per game, starting 19 games, and shot .489/.433/.855. His 3-point shooting mark was the fifth-best in the Big 12 Conference.

Identified as a potential sleeper heading into the NBA Draft by Chris Dortch of NBA.com, Omot went undrafted and joined the Warriors for Summer League play.

In eight games between the Sacramento and Las Vegas sessions, Omot averaged 13.0 minutes per game, putting up 3.9 points and 3.0 rebounds on .440/2-for-6/7-for-10 shooting.

Omot is another lanky, thin wing — similar to first-round pick Dzanan Musa — whose biggest obstacle entering the NBA will be to get stronger.

According to Michael Scotto of The Athletic, Omot was signed to a rookie minimum contract with an Exhibit 10 attachment — allowing it to be converted to a two-way deal. The Nets already have Alan Williams on a two-way contract and have all but confirmed Theo Pinson as their second.

The Brooklyn Nets and former Baylor forward Nuni Omot have agreed to terms on an Exhibit 10 deal, league sources told The Athletic.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) September 25, 2018

At worst, the Nets have obtained his rights for the G League’s Long Island Nets, where Omot can learn the Nets’ system, develop his skills, get some playing time and learn about pro basketball life.

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He’s a talented athlete who has adjusted to his body after a late growth spurt and could have NBA potential, at least down the line.