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New York saw a new, but familiar, face return to the tri-state area. In the team’s first game back from their three-game road trip, the newest Westchester Knick was doing what he normally does. Just as he scored his first basket, Jameel Warney’s name echoed throughout the Westchester County Center.
The County Center heard Warney’s name often as he put on a show in his first home game as a Westchester Knick. He was greeted with cheers from the moment he was first introduced as a starter, along with each basket he scored throughout the game. It was a different feeling for the Stony Brook legend donning the Westchester blue and orange, but his goal of returning to the NBA hasn’t changed.
The Westchester forward has made a great impression since arriving in the Big Apple. He continues to show that he is one of the best post players in the league and draws double teams, which opens up the floor for the rest of the team. He is averaging 18.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game on 53.7 percent shooting from the field through 13 games and had an impressive streak of 20-plus point games.
Warney believes he is in a great situation in New York and is staying motivated in his third G League season as he seeks another NBA opportunity.
“It’s a great situation for me. The coaching staff (and) the organization has been doing nothing but doing great things,” Warney told Ridiculous Upside. “I’m just hungry to prove myself. I had the financial stability from playing in China over the summer to have one more year to try to get up (to the NBA) and see what happens. I’m proud to be here. I’m proud to be a Westchester Knick.”
Warney isn’t in unfamiliar territory. He was playing at a high level during his time with the Texas Legends and saw his game grow exponentially under Bob Mackinnon and the Texas coaching staff. When he arrived in Frisco, Warney was playing within 10 feet of the basket, then started to play more on the perimeter.
Being apart of an organization that prepared players for the next level, Texas helped instill confidence in the Stony Brook product and helped pushed him to a 10-day contract.
“They instilled confidence in me to keep improving my game,” Warney said. “I didn’t shoot a three at all in college and now I’m shooting threes. I’m playing more on the perimeter. I’m just maturing my game all around.”
While Texas was his first team coming out of Stony Brook, his time with the organization was memorable to him.
“It was my first professional team, so it’s got a special place to my heart,” Warney continued. “At the end of the day, I’m here now in Westchester.
He has been a solid addition in Westchester’s front court and has been given ample playing time to show he is an NBA call-up candidate. Westchester head coach Mike Miller praised his force in the interior and what he has brought to the team.
“He’s been a real force on the interior, which obviously sets up a lot of things,” Miller said. “I think we’re still evolving in all the different things that he’ll be able to do. But just because he comes with that force and he gives us different options of things to do. He’s really done a nice job defensively with the different assignments that he’s had too.”
The G League season is in the final stretch of the regular season and Warney has his foot on the gas pedal with securing an NBA roster spot. Even though the road of the G League season is nearing it’s end, Warney is focused on this season and will address his future at a later time.
“I’ve been focusing more on the last two months. Trying to be prepared and hopefully get called up. If it doesn’t happen, I know I gave it my all, talk to my agent and see what happens and see overseas situations.”
In the present, Warney has positioned himself to earn another call-up by the end of the season. He has provided Westchester with a strong post presence and continues to draw double teams, which opens up things for the team. He has looked solid on the defensive end as well. Warney has excelled with the Dub Knicks and is on the path back to the NBA.