Tosan Evbuomwan proving he belongs in the NBA

If you want to see a player who has made the most of an opportunity of a lifetime to establish himself on an NBA roster, then look no further than Tosan Evbuomwan.

The Newcastle native, who first played organised basketball at age 14, entered the league last year as an undrafted free agent from Princeton and saw plenty of action in the G League whilst also featuring in 13 regular season games for Detroit and in four for Memphis.

On January 1 this year, he would get his next shot when the Brooklyn Nets signed the 6’7 swingman to a two-way contract and Evbuomwan hasn’t looked back since, averaging solid numbers of 9.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists for the season in 28 appearances for Brooklyn as per ESPN.

It didn’t take long for the former Princeton Tiger – who grew up playing sports such as football, rugby, cricket and track and field – to make an impact with his new team as he racked up a career high 22 points in an overtime loss at Utah on January 13 in what was only his fifth NBA game for the Nets.

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Evbuomwan’s immediate and positive on court influence rubbed off on his teammates, who see a bright future for the 24 year old and have even compared the Brit with a two-time Finals MVP.

“He’s a beast on the court,” said Brooklyn point guard D’Angelo Russell in January.

“I can compliment him all day. Just the way he carries himself gives me that Kawhi Leonard type of demeanour but a killer on the court.

“So excited for him, excited for his growth…I think he’ll dominate the league soon.”

Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez, whose side finished 2024-25 with a 26-56 record, was especially full of praise for Evbuomwan’s poise, potential and composure which have seen the forward fit in seamlessly with the playing group.

“Tosan has been a great addition to the group for many reasons. How he’s grown since he’s been here, we believe that he can be a special player,” Fernandez said in February.

“He’s got positional size. From the first day, he walks in like he belongs on both ends of the floor.

“He is super mature. Everything you ask him to do, he gets it right away and he does it.

“He communicates, he’s efficient, he’s a worker, he’s a pro. We’re very happy to have him, for him to be part of our club and for him to keep developing.”

More recently, the 2022 Ivy League Player of the Year and Hoopsfix All-Star Classic alumnus recorded 18 points and six boards in a home defeat against Atlanta on April 11, capping off a stretch of four consecutive games where he scored in double figures.

After also suiting up this campaign in the G League for the Long Island Nets and having previously represented the San Diego Clippers and Motor City Cruise, Evbuomwan was highly motivated to use his playing time at the end of the year as a chance to continue growing as a player and with the team.

“We know every game’s an opportunity, whether (it’s the) last five, whether (it’s) mid-season, whatever it may be. Just trying to approach every game the same,” he said in April.

“Just continue to buy into what we do and who we are. All our kind of staples, everything coach is asking us to do on both ends, try to be a leader out there, whether the first or the second group, on both ends of the floor, communicate, all that stuff.

“Just trying to really dive in on that stuff and then be who I am as well.”