Former forward for the Georgetown Hoyas, Jamorko Pickett, put together a handful of really solid games with the Detroit Pistons in NBA Summer League. Analysts, scouts, and fans were taking notice and Pickett’s awakening has become a feel-good story around the league.
Enjoy these stories of undrafted players & loved him in summer league. One @BIGEAST connection I trust raved about @GeorgetownHoops Jamorko Pickett this past season. His DC backstory is cool too, because he’s now GU graduate. https://t.co/5DO9nHYlIb
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) August 21, 2021
Pickett is reportedly on an Exhibit 10 contract, which allows him a camp tryout and would give him a bonus if he signs with their G League affiliate.
It was hard not to see all of those things from Pickett, who hit the ground running in Las Vegas and never let up. Along the way, news broke that Pickett had signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Pistons that means an invitation to training camp and a path to a spot on the roster of the Motor City Cruise, the Pistons G League affiliate, without being exposed to the G League draft.
Another NBA team could still sign Pickett to a standard or two-way contract if he’s waived by the Pistons before the start of the NBA season, but most teams have rosters already close to full. Pickett got what he wanted out of Summer League – playing time to open eyes.
“I think I did exactly that,” he said. “I was given opportunities and I took the most of them. I know I belong here. It’s always having that mindset – knowing I belong, knowing I should start. That’s what pushed me when I did have the opportunity to excel.”
Our esteemed colleagues at Detroit Bad Boys wrote about some things that Pickett did very well, but are clearly unaware of the terrific rebounding and defense that Hoyas fans got to see develop over four years.
Jamorko Pickett looks like a pure 3-point shooter with solid form and a high release point. Can shooting alone allow him to carve out a role in the NBA? https://t.co/Oq4eYsIONp
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) August 20, 2021
Can Jamorko Pickett Be More Than A Training Camp Body? | DETROITBADBOYS
While Pickett’s off-the-ball skills are not currently at the level of Robinson, being a tall and lanky player with a high release point that is a mismatch problem means Pickett can cause problems for opposing defenses.
I also think Pickett has incredibly consistent shooting mechanics. His foot placement and release look the same every time I see him shoot the ball—even on the few times he shot off the dribble. For me, this is part of being a good shooter as you have to be able to recreate your mechanics as much as possible under a variety of situations and Pickett seems to have really worked on that.
If I had to guess I would bet Coach Ewing and his staff had a lot to do with in order to keep Pickett as a consistent outside threat for guys like James Akinjo, Mac McClung, and (this past season) Dante Harris to operate. For the Pistons, he can continue to do this for Cade, Killian, Saben Lee, or even Hamidou Diallo, and Josh Jackson.
There have been a handful of Hoyas who have had success with Detroit, including Don Reid and Jerome JYD Williams.
Jerome Williams (@JunkYardDogJW) was drafted by Detroit in 1996. #HoyaSaxa | #DetroitUp https://t.co/vQuDMOZbql
— Patrick Waring (@WaringPatrick) August 19, 2021
Meanwhile, Ömer Yurtseven was rewarded with a standard NBA contract and is rumored to be fighting for some heavy backup minutes.
Miami Heat: Yurt Or The Ded-Man For Top Backup? (via @k_said_que) https://t.co/7htwkLh8Wo
— All U Can Heat (@AllUCanHeat1) August 16, 2021
Here's a final look back at the most efficient volume scorers from the 2021 #NBA Summer League. pic.twitter.com/9shMs2tgPg
— Synergy Basketball (@SynergySST) August 18, 2021
Hollis Thompson is still playing and reportedly signed with an Italian team.
Thompson had been out for the whole 2020-21 season, he’s currently playing in the Dominican Republic this summer and now he’s signed to make his return to Europe for 2021-22.
— Nicola Lupo (@NicolaLupo99) August 17, 2021
Hoyas fans can’t wait to see what comes next for Jamorko and Ömer and many Pro Hoyas.
HOYA SAXA!
UPDATE: Pickett posted some favorite photos, including one of him signing a contract.