SE: Timing Perfect for Pullen's Second Run at the NBA
Oct 17, 2017 | Men's Basketball, Sports Extra
By Corbin McGuire
Jacob Pullen always intended to make another run at the NBA. As the former K-State star would learn, timing is everything, however.
In 2012, after a professional season in Italy, Pullen sported a Philadelphia 76ers jersey for three games in the NBA Summer League. He averaged nearly 14 points, shot almost 47 percent from beyond the arc, and dished out 3.3 assists per game.
His play earned an opportunity to play in the Developmental League — now the Gatorade League — that offered relatively low pay. He turned it down for more lucrative opportunities abroad.
"It seems like forever (ago)," Pullen said of the 2012 Summer League. "I just thought it was a better route to go back overseas."
Fast forward five years, through professional stops in Israel, Spain, Croatia and Russia, and Pullen was back in a 76ers uniform. For him, this was always part of the plan.
"I never was going to just quit playing basketball without giving the NBA another shot," Pullen said last Friday after the 76ers' final preseason game against the Miami Heat in the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. "It was about timing and, after last year in Russia, it felt like this was the time. It was a great opportunity for me."
The timing was perfect in multiple ways.
With the addition of the two-way contracts for the 2017-18 season, NBA rosters grew from 15 to 17 spots. On Saturday, Philadelphia announced Pullen as its final two-way player, which will allow him to spend up to 45 days with the 76ers while also playing for their G-League affiliate, the Delaware 87ers.
It's an opportunity Pullen was more than open to taking beforehand.
"I feel like this organization would be a great opportunity. The coaching staff, I feel like they like me. I feel like the management likes me, so I would take the opportunity because I know where I want to be," Pullen said on Friday. "I made a few dollars overseas, I'm not hurting, so I can deal with going that route, just to get where I want to be."
Plus, Pullen's at a different point in his life.
Five years ago, he was fresh out of a successful college career with not much tying him down. Now, he has a soon-to-be three-year-old daughter who he can fly to see him while in the United States.
"I'm getting older and have a daughter that's getting older. Being in the States is important to me. Being able to fly my family, fly my mom and dad somewhere and spend time with them is important to me," Pullen said. "It was a decision I had to make."
Pullen's decision to attempt another run at the NBA with the 76ers brought his basketball career full circle, as did their preseason schedule.
The 2011 K-State graduate practiced in a familiar venue in Allen Fieldhouse, played in another with the Sprint Center, and he was able to meet up with many former K-State teammates, notably Rodney McGruder with the Heat. Plus, Pullen enjoyed a loud roar from the K-State fans in attendance on Friday when he checked into the game in the fourth quarter.
"Being able to come back and play (near) the state of Kansas, see all the purple and all the fans come into the game, it's a great feeling," Pullen said. "Seven years later and they're still supporting me. That's a family thing."
"He can shoot the ball, and he can defend. He was an elite defender at K-State," McGruder, injured with a stress fracture, said. "I told him, 'Show that you can defend. Everyone knows you can score the ball. You have to do something different. You're not going to have the ball in your hands all the time. You have to be able to make other plays.'"
"It's all about opportunity in the NBA and you have to wait on it, have to be patient, have to stay ready and when the opportunity comes to play, you have to go out there and perform," Pullen said. "I've learned a lot about basketball, learned a lot about life, being away from family, away from friends, being to myself sometimes in certain countries, just locking myself into the gym at times and really developing myself.
"Getting an opportunity to put on an NBA jersey is a dream come true."
Jacob Pullen always intended to make another run at the NBA. As the former K-State star would learn, timing is everything, however.
In 2012, after a professional season in Italy, Pullen sported a Philadelphia 76ers jersey for three games in the NBA Summer League. He averaged nearly 14 points, shot almost 47 percent from beyond the arc, and dished out 3.3 assists per game.
His play earned an opportunity to play in the Developmental League — now the Gatorade League — that offered relatively low pay. He turned it down for more lucrative opportunities abroad.
"It seems like forever (ago)," Pullen said of the 2012 Summer League. "I just thought it was a better route to go back overseas."
Fast forward five years, through professional stops in Israel, Spain, Croatia and Russia, and Pullen was back in a 76ers uniform. For him, this was always part of the plan.
"I never was going to just quit playing basketball without giving the NBA another shot," Pullen said last Friday after the 76ers' final preseason game against the Miami Heat in the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. "It was about timing and, after last year in Russia, it felt like this was the time. It was a great opportunity for me."
The timing was perfect in multiple ways.
With the addition of the two-way contracts for the 2017-18 season, NBA rosters grew from 15 to 17 spots. On Saturday, Philadelphia announced Pullen as its final two-way player, which will allow him to spend up to 45 days with the 76ers while also playing for their G-League affiliate, the Delaware 87ers.
It's an opportunity Pullen was more than open to taking beforehand.
"I feel like this organization would be a great opportunity. The coaching staff, I feel like they like me. I feel like the management likes me, so I would take the opportunity because I know where I want to be," Pullen said on Friday. "I made a few dollars overseas, I'm not hurting, so I can deal with going that route, just to get where I want to be."
Plus, Pullen's at a different point in his life.
Five years ago, he was fresh out of a successful college career with not much tying him down. Now, he has a soon-to-be three-year-old daughter who he can fly to see him while in the United States.
"I'm getting older and have a daughter that's getting older. Being in the States is important to me. Being able to fly my family, fly my mom and dad somewhere and spend time with them is important to me," Pullen said. "It was a decision I had to make."
Pullen's decision to attempt another run at the NBA with the 76ers brought his basketball career full circle, as did their preseason schedule.
The 2011 K-State graduate practiced in a familiar venue in Allen Fieldhouse, played in another with the Sprint Center, and he was able to meet up with many former K-State teammates, notably Rodney McGruder with the Heat. Plus, Pullen enjoyed a loud roar from the K-State fans in attendance on Friday when he checked into the game in the fourth quarter.
"Being able to come back and play (near) the state of Kansas, see all the purple and all the fans come into the game, it's a great feeling," Pullen said. "Seven years later and they're still supporting me. That's a family thing."
After averaging 6.8 minutes and 2.8 points in four preseason games, Pullen said he felt adjusted to a different style and level of basketball. To turn this opportunity into a long-term endeavor, McGruder said Pullen, K-State's all-time leading scorer, would have to showcase all of his talents."I just appreciate the K-State Family... they mean a lot to me." @Jpullz0 #EMAW #KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/Uc5gTu2q9l
— K-State Basketball (@KStateMBB) October 14, 2017
"He can shoot the ball, and he can defend. He was an elite defender at K-State," McGruder, injured with a stress fracture, said. "I told him, 'Show that you can defend. Everyone knows you can score the ball. You have to do something different. You're not going to have the ball in your hands all the time. You have to be able to make other plays.'"
Pullen fully understands the position he is in. He knows his chances may be limited, but he's waited five years for this. He's ready.Family. #EMAW @Jpullz0 @RodneyMcGruder pic.twitter.com/yRcudj2aXF
— K-State Basketball (@KStateMBB) October 14, 2017
"It's all about opportunity in the NBA and you have to wait on it, have to be patient, have to stay ready and when the opportunity comes to play, you have to go out there and perform," Pullen said. "I've learned a lot about basketball, learned a lot about life, being away from family, away from friends, being to myself sometimes in certain countries, just locking myself into the gym at times and really developing myself.
"Getting an opportunity to put on an NBA jersey is a dream come true."
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