Former Indiana point guard Yogi Ferrell made his NBA debut on Wednesday night when the Nets lost to the Knicks, 110-96, at Madison Square Garden.
With Jeremy Lin expected to miss two weeks with a left hamstring strain and Isaiah Whitehead sidelined with a concussion, the Nets signed Ferrell from the Long Island Nets, their D-League team.
Ferrell, generously listed at 6-feet, finished with 5 points on 2-of-3 shooting with 3 assists.
The Nets also waived former Maryland guard Greivis Vasquez.
The 6-foot Ferrell originally signed with Brooklyn on Aug. 5 and appeared in three preseason games with the Nets, recording averages of 4.3 points and 1.7 assists in 9.6 minutes per contest. The Indiana native was waived by the team on Oct. 21.
The four-year Indiana University product was named to the All-Big Ten First Team twice (2015 and 2016) and garnered second-team honors as a sophomore (2014). As a senior, Ferrell averaged 17.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 34.7 minutes per game, earning Associated Press Third Team All-America honors and capping his career as Indiana’s all-time assists leader with 633.
Whitehead, the former Seton Hall star, was diagnosed with a concussion after getting stepped on during Tuesday’s game and experienced symptoms on Wednesday. Per the NBA’s concussion policy, Whitehead will remain out until he is symptom free and complies with all NBA mandated return-to-play protocols.
Vasquez appeared in three games this season with the Nets, averaging 2.3 points and 1.7 assists in 12.9 minutes per game. He was originally signed as a free agent by Brooklyn on July 13, 2016.
“Greivis did everything we asked of him and more to try to get back on the court at full strength,” said Nets General Manager Sean Marks. “The passion, grit and perseverance he has shown since he joined the team have been remarkable. We are thankful to Greivis for all of his efforts and wish him well in the future.”
(Photo: USA Today Sports)
