Jabari Brown is sticking around, at least for another week and change. The Lakers announced Saturday morning that they signed Brown to a second 10-day contract after he averaged 7.0 points in 20.0 minutes in four games with the team.
Brown was called up from the Lakers’ D-League affiliate, the Los Angeles D-Fenders, on March 10. The rookie had been leading the league in scoring (24.4), made free throws (6.2) and fast-break points (6.0).
“I knew what I could do and was confident in my abilities,” Brown said at practice Saturday. “I think it’s just a matter of showing the team and the coaches.”
The coaches have indeed taken notice, including Byron Scott, who has routinely praised Brown after games.
“In the next year or so, he’s gonna belong in this league,” Scott said after playing Atlanta on March 15. “He guards people; tough kid. Offensively, he takes what you give him. He makes good decisions, too, which is something that’s important. I think he has a place in this league.”
Brown says that the NBA players are “bigger and faster” than the D-League’s, but that hasn’t stopped him from finding his offensive rhythm.
The former Missouri Tiger has shot 11-for-19 from the field as a Laker. He also says that his familiarity with the team has helped him take the step up to the NBA.
“I’ve got to know most of these guys in the preseason,” Brown said. “So I kind of feel like it hasn’t been really a transition. I feel back at home.”
Still, while Scott expects Brown to have a spot in the NBA for years to come, Brown isn’t taking his eyes off the immediate future.
“I’m pretty much taking it for these next 10 days,” Brown said. “I just try not to look too far ahead because you lose sight of what’s right in front of you.”