In The Post – Golden State eyes Jessup

Catch up on all the latest headlines from around the basketball world in today’s edition of In the Post.

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Golden State eyes Jessup 

Newscorp’s Matt Logue has reported “officials from Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors will arrive in Australia in the coming weeks to evaluate the NBA prospects of multiple players, including Illawarra sharpshooter Justinian Jessup”.

Jessup was drafted by the Warriors in 2020 and has been playing for the Hawks as an NBL Next Star ever since.

Morrison supporting Frazier II

Perth Wildcats coach Scott Morrison says he is supporting import Michael Frazier II, as rumours swirl that the club is about to replace him.

“Mike’s got two ears and two eyes. he sees and hears all the stuff too. We were just speaking. He’s not able to play this week anyway because of his injury, so there’s no grey area there for planning for the games. I just commended him on his professionalism through all this. It’s got to be tough to be mentioned in rumours and things like that and trying to play through it,” Morrison said via The West Australian.

Jacks a chance 

Tasmania JackJumpers forward Fabijan Krslovic says the players are aware of the finals opportunity they have in front of them ahead of tonight’s clash against Perth.

“We are in with a shot. We are two games behind fourth place with eight games to go so we are in a good position. If we win more than we lose we are going to be right there so it’s an exciting opportunity for us especially in our first year,” Krslovic said via The Mercury.

Te Rangi embodiment of Phoenix

South East Melbourne Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell has praised Reuben Te Rangi after he re-signed with the club for two more years.

“I think Reuben brings all the intangibles that you want to embrace, that you want to embody, and if everybody follows in the footsteps the way Reuben approaches the game and approaches practices, then you’re going to have a very good team,” Mitchell said.

United gets a better Baba

Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman says Yudai Baba has improved his game since last season, after the club announced his signing for the rest of this season.

“I think he really expanded his game in the G League while he was there as well. We know that he’s going to add to our transition play and add to our defence. You look at some of the other teams in the league, they all have multiple elite guards, and they’re people that you need high level defenders against,” Vickerman said.

Cotton open to NBA return

Three-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton will go back to the NBA if the opportunity presents.

“If they (the NBA) ever give me the opportunity, I’m on the first plane smoking out of here for sure,” Cotton told Newscorp’s Logue Down basketball podcast.

Tate praises NBL to NBA pathway

Houston Rockets star Jae’Sean Tate has endorsed the NBL to NBA pathway, declaring more players will take that road to the association.

“It shows that not only the NBL knows great talent and develops great talent, but it shows that we can play at the next level. There'll be some more players that continue to make that jump from the NBL to the NBA,” Tate told The Huddle.