Kilpatrick Has A Home In Brooklyn
Time after time, the critics said it wasn’t possible. They said he wasn’t big enough for the NBA and was too old for his age. People even said he can’t be a leader of a team. But, no critic could stop Sean Kilpatrick from living his dream.
Kilpatrick, a 26-year-old journeyman guard from Yonkers, New York who went undrafted in 2014, has proved to be a pleasant surprise for the Nets, averaging 13.2 points on 52.1% shooting.
He is an electric two-guard who still has work to do, but could end up developing into an efficient scorer off the bench. While his three-point shooting has improved dramatically since entering the D-League, Kilpatrick has also improved his inside game to be a threat to drive to the basket. He’s deceptively quick, especially over screens and I wouldn’t be surprised if he surprises a few people before the season is over.
For many players transitioning from college basketball or the D-League to the NBA, can be a huge leap and its often difficult to judge players who will be able to compete in the NBA. After averaging 26.4 points on 47 percent shooting in the D-League, Kilpatrick has continued his success in his short stint so far with the Nets, thriving of good shot selection and his uncanny ability to create turnovers on defense.
So, how does a clear scoring talent like Sean Kilpatrick slip through the cracks after a successful college career and dominant stint in the D-League? Well, he doesn’t have a defined position, playing as both a point or shooting guard. What’s clear is that — even in relatively limited minutes — he can flat out score in a variety of ways. A lot of NBA players can score, but many are one-dimensional in their repertoire, which separates Kilpatrick from the pack and makes him a really interesting future piece for the Nets.
From a personal stand point, I have waited for this moment. Going to school with Sean, I know how hard he worked for this moment. Time after time, people kept doubting him. People would pass him up because of his age or his explosiveness. You heard it from me before today and your hearing it again. Sean, congratulations! I am very happy for you.