The Brooklyn Nets announced Monday that they have assigned Ben Saraf to their NBA G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets. The 20-year-old Israeli guard, selected 26th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, began his second NBA season with limited playing time and will now look to gain experience and take on a more significant role in the developmental league. Drake Powell and Joshua Jefferson were also assigned to Long Island.
The decision comes just one day after Saraf made his first NBA appearance of the season in Brooklyn's 136-109 home loss to the Indiana Pacers. The Israeli came off the bench late in the game, playing four minutes and finishing with two points and one rebound. He did not play in the Nets' first two games of the season, and with Brooklyn opening the campaign with three consecutive losses, Saraf will now look to regain his footing.
Ben Saraf on the court for the Brooklyn Nets
(Photo: Terrance Williams/AP)
Saraf faces stiff competition for playing time in Brooklyn's backcourt, including from Egor Demin, Nolan Traore and Michael Brown Jr., who was selected in the most recent draft. The Israeli showed flashes of promise during preseason play, scoring eight points in 15 minutes, including two 3-pointers, in a victory over Charlotte. So far, however, he has been unable to turn those performances into a regular role in coach Jordi Fernandez's rotation.
For Saraf, the move to Long Island is familiar territory. During his rookie season, he moved between Brooklyn and its G League affiliate several times, averaging 15.4 points, 4.6 assists and 3.6 rebounds in 15 appearances for Long Island. He will now hope to make the most of the opportunity to play meaningful minutes, continue developing and convince the coaching staff that he belongs on the NBA roster.
Brooklyn, meanwhile, has endured a disappointing start to the season. The Nets remain winless after three games and suffered a heavy defeat against Indiana despite 17 points from Traore. Fernandez has expressed disappointment with his team's performance, while the organization continues to evaluate its rotation and the roles of its younger players.
The Nets' next game is scheduled for Tuesday night against the Boston Celtics on the road.