Nets' Day'Ron Sharpe Opens Up About Lifestyle Changes, Advice He'd Give to Rookies

Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe was ruled out for the rest of the season due a thumb injury.

Before that, he was enjoying a career season on both ends of the floor, showing potential as a starting center in the league.

Because he's backed up Nic Claxton for essentially his entire career, Sharpe's minutes on the floor are heavily limited. However, he still manages to produce solid numbers in those minutes and has managed to have a considerable impact on the pace of the game, showing much improved touch around the rim and becoming more of a menace in the passing lanes.

Sharpe is leaning closer towards veteran territory on this team, as he's had to work with six players 21 years or younger, including five rookies. Of course, they're all trying to find their niche at the next level, which can incur a lot of growing pains.

"The main thing I try to tell them is just being professional and also love it," Sharpe said. "You have to like really eat, breathe, die for it. This is something that's gonna be an every day thing for you. You have to be wanting to get better. If you wanna play, you gotta want to get better. You gotta want to do the grind [and] diet. [You can't be like] oh I made it to the NBA and that's it. I'm trying to tell them y'all gotta grind during the summer. I try to preach to them, just being professional, being the first one there, being early, showing that you're capable to help a team win."

"You've got to want to do the grind."

- Day'Ron Sharpe speaking on his growth throught the years and his relationship with Nets assistant Juwan Howard, who played 19 NBA seasons. pic.twitter.com/j9tDe03ew9
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) April 1, 2026

As the season winds down, all five rookies have shown some flashes of potential in their own right.

Though Egor Dëmin was shut down due to lingering plantar fascia in his left foot, his 3-point shot has translated much better at the next level compared to how he was shooting it at BYU.

Nolan Traoré has dazzled with his blazing speed and patented floater, even drawing praise from fellow Frenchman Victor Wembanyama.

Danny Wolf has displayed tremendous all-around upside as a stretch big, given his ability to get downhill and make plays for his teammates.

Drake Powell has come on of late as a two-way force at the wing spot, showing incredible improvements as a 3-point shooter and off the dribble shot creator.

Ben Saraf's spinmove, assists, and on-ball pressure has also stood out in recent games.