Former Stony Brook star Jameel Warney to sign 10-day contract with Mavericks
Jameel Warney of the Texas Legends attacks the basket during game against the Salt Lake City Stars at The Dr Pepper Arena on March 3, 2017 in Frisco, Texas. Credit: NBAE/Getty Images / Sergio Hentschel
After excelling for two seasons in the G League and with the U.S. men’s national team, former Stony Brook star Jameel Warney finally is ticketed for his shot at the NBA.
Warney confirmed to Newsday on Wednesday night that he expects to sign a 10-day contract with the Mavericks starting Sunday, which means he likely will be on the roster when they visit the Knicks on Tuesday and the Nets on March 17.
News of Warney’s imminent signing first was reported by the New York Times. Contacted about the prospect of signing a 10-day contract just before he took the court for a Texas Legends game, he texted to Newsday: “It is true. Signing on Sunday.”
The Mavericks play five games within that 10-day period, starting with a home game on Sunday against Houston, which has the best record in the NBA. They then begin a four-game road trip Tuesday against the Knicks and then March 16 at Toronto, March 17 vs. the Nets at the Barclays Center and March 20 at New Orleans.
Warney will be the first player in Stony Brook history to make an NBA roster. He is the school’s all-time leading scorer and led the Seawolves to their only NCAA Tournament appearance in 2016.
The 24-year-old forward was averaging 20.3 points and 9.6 rebounds through 37 games before the Legends faced Fort Wayne Wednesday night. He has enjoyed great success with the U.S. national team, leading it to the 2017 AmeriCup title with a 5-0 record and earning MVP honors after averaging 12.8 points and 8.6 rebounds and shooting 64.9 percent, including a 21-point, 7-rebound effort in the gold medal win over Argentina.
Warney also averaged 11.5 points and 8.9 rebounds in World Cup qualifying wins over Mexico and Puerto Rico in November, and he was named USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year in December.
Greg Logan has worked for Newsday since 1982 covering a wide array of sports and events, currently including the Brooklyn Nets beat.
