National Basketball Association

Brooklyn Nets: Three Ways Yogi Ferrell Can Make the Final Roster

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 12:22 a.m. ET

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Oct 6, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Yogi Ferrell (10) plays the ball while being defended by Detroit Pistons guard Ray McCallum (36) during the second half at Barclays Center. The Nets won 101-94. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Kenny Atkinson called Yogi Ferrell the “energizer bunny” because of his dynamic and non-stop motor. He lands far down on the Brooklyn Nets’ depth chart, though. To say the least, he has his work cut out for him to make the final roster.

There is an abundance of point guards on the Brooklyn Nets roster, and one of them is Yogi Ferrell, who went undrafted after four stellar years at Indiana. Ferrell, whose big-time talent is jarring because of his small stature, put together a career with the Hoosiers so grand that it was a shock when he didn’t get drafted at all. He was never going to be a high first-round pick, but he was certainly good enough to be selected on draft night.

Ferrell was an unrivaled leader on the floor and a tremendous playmaker. In each of his four seasons, he finished top-six in assists per game in the Big Ten, and three of those years he finished fourth. As a scorer, he finished top-six in points a night three times.

Ferrell saw three trips to March Madness during his tenure, and two of those trips (2013, 2016) ended at the Sweet Sixteen. He finished his college career as the all-time assists leader (633) and sixth all-time in points scored (1,986) for one of the most storied franchises in college hoops.

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For his NBA dreams to manifest, Ferrell is going to have to claw, scratch, and fight his way onto the Nets roster, but he’s the fighter who’s not going to lay down. Ferrell was decent in his two preseason games against the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks, but he will need to clean some things up before the season begins.

Looking forward, Ferrell is not going to develop into a star player. As much as I would like to see that happen, he’d have to play remarkably well to stand out at the deepest position in the league. Best case scenario for him is starting at point guard, but that seems unlikely in Brooklyn.

That spot is crowded, to say the least. Jeremy Lin is the starter. Then Randy Foye, Jorge Gutierrez, Greivis Vasquez, Isaiah Whitehead, and Caris LeVert will all be spending time there throughout the season.

Being a reliable backup isn’t bad, though. And there aren’t very high expectations for players who go undrafted. Thus, the chance of Ferrell being a bust is non-existent.

Mar 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) and North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) go after a loose ball during the first half in a semifinal game in the East regional of the NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Dirty Work Gets Noticed

There’s no shame in hustle. In fact, making hustle plays are what make or break championship-level teams. Every roster in the NBA needs a guy who’ll dive on the floor for loose balls, box out on the defensive glass, and not be afraid to put their body on the line if it’s for the better of the team.

Ferrell can do that, and it’s an excellent way for him to make an impression on the coaching staff if his statistics are not eye-popping.

Bringing the boundless energy that Atkinson raved about is another part of the equation, but he needs to bring it on both ends. Despite being a shorter player–about six-feet–Ferrell can use that to his advantage and be a pesky defender. Pressuring opposing ball handlers, playing the passing lanes, and being an effective communicator are all productive ways to channel that energy and will benefit the Brooklyn Nets immensely.

Oct 6, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Ray McCallum (36) plays the ball against Brooklyn Nets guard Yogi Ferrell (10) during the second half at Barclays Center. The Nets won 101-94. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Play Hard But Smart

Turnovers have been plaguing Ferrell through his first two games with the Brooklyn Nets. Although four isn’t a high turnover count, Ferrell hasn’t played a lot of minutes. This only shows that his possessions aren’t as constructive as they could be.

Against the Pistons, Ferrell had just one assist, along with three turnovers in 12 minutes of action.

It’ll take some time to get acclimated, and he’ll be expected to make mistakes. However, if Ferrell routinely commits bone-headed blunders that are detrimental to the team, Atkinson will consider reducing any playing time that he gets.

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There are ways for Ferrell to offset his turnovers, though. Along with bringing energy and making all the hustle plays, he can contribute on offense by spacing the floor and being aggressive. Whatever jitters he had against the Pistons subsided against the Knicks, and Ferrell relentlessly attacked the basket trying to create.

He went to the foul line six times and connected on five. Ferrell added to that with a made three and three assists.

Replicating production like that will give him an excellent chance to spring up the depth chart.

Mar 6, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) cuts down the net to celebrate the 2016 Big Ten championship after defeating the Maryland Terrapins at Assembly Hall. Indiana defeats Maryland 80-62. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t Change

Yogi Ferrell has stayed the same throughout his years in college. His game never changed, and it’s a big reason why he was so successful at Indiana. Simply put, Ferrell went out there and made the right play. He was never one to go out and attempt to score 30 and shoot 25 shots. Instead, he’d assert himself without forcing anything, and if his teammates were open, they’d get the ball.

Ferrell was a tremendous three-point shooter and ended his four years with a 39.9 percent clip, and the shot from downtown was consistently part of his arsenal.

Lastly, he brought the energy day in and day out. Ferrell needed a way to make up for his lack of size, and being energetic was the perfect way. In all 137 games he appeared in, he came to compete in every single one, and it didn’t matter who the opponent was.

The way Ferrell plays would work great with the Nets’ system. Being an unselfish player who picks his spots to score is welcomed on any team. Only time will tell if he develops the skill to be a productive member of the roster.

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