Brooklyn Nets rookie Ben Saraf recently offered a candid reflection on his inaugural NBA2K26 Summer League experience in Las Vegas, emphasizing the significant leap in game intensity and player physicality compared to his prior professional engagements. His insights provide a clear window into the demanding transition faced by young athletes entering the league, underscoring the relentless pace and athleticism that define the highest level of basketball.
Saraf was among a quartet of promising Brooklyn Nets draftees who commenced their professional journeys in Vegas, participating alongside fellow 2025 draftees Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, and Danny Wolf. This initial exposure to the NBA environment provided these emerging talents a crucial proving ground, allowing them to test their skills and adaptability against formidable competition under the guidance of summer league head coach Steve Hetzel.
Throughout the Summer League, Saraf, along with Demin and Traore, was entrusted with significant ball-handling responsibilities for Brooklyn, showcasing his nascent facilitating abilities. Beyond his playmaking, Saraf also demonstrated an impressive knack for driving to the basket, consistently creating scoring opportunities. While his overall game displayed promising facets, he openly acknowledged the necessity of refining his jumpshot, a developmental area he is committed to improving as part of his continuous growth as an NBA prospect.
Interestingly, Saraf’s professional basketball journey commenced three years prior with Elitzur Netanya, a club based in Netanya, Israel. This foundational experience in a professional setting appears to have instilled a certain composure, as he confessed to feeling no overwhelming surprises when competing in the United States. However, this familiarity with professional play did not diminish his awareness of the distinct characteristics of the NBA game.
Speaking on the fundamental differences he observed, Saraf articulated, “No, not that much. To be honest with you, the pace and the athleticism are on different levels than what I’ve been used to up until now.” Despite this clear recognition of the heightened demands, his statement was delivered with an air of determined optimism, as he immediately followed up with a confident declaration: “But, you know, I’m going to grow, I’m getting better, I’m getting stronger, and I’m getting used to it.”
Fortunately for the 19-year-old, his integration into the Brooklyn Nets system is supported by a robust developmental staff, signifying a patient, long-term approach to nurturing his potential. As the 26th-overall pick, Saraf is not expected to immediately shoulder significant on-court burdens. His initial role will likely involve learning and adapting behind more established or higher-drafted players, including Demin, Traore, and potentially others like Keon Johnson, Tyrese Martin, or Drake Powell who the Nets may utilize in their backcourt rotation.
Ben Saraf undeniably possesses a collection of intriguing raw traits, yet he, like much of Brooklyn’s young talent, is still in the early stages of his professional evolution. The strategic vision for the Brooklyn Nets hinges on the collective development of these emerging talents, fostering a cohesive unit that can mature together. This measured approach aims to cultivate a foundation that will ultimately enable the team to return to NBA contention, with Saraf’s progression being a vital component of that ambitious long-term objective.
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