The surprise Nets rookie turning heads at training camp

Saraf began his professional career at 16, playing two years in Israel before joining Germany’s Ratiopharm Ulm last season. Standing 6-foot-6 barefoot with a 6-foot-8 wingspan and weighing 200 pounds, his size, ball-handling and passing ability caught the eyes of scouts last season.

Nets General Manager Sean Marks identified the No. 26 pick as one of Brooklyn’s most NBA-ready rookies.

“Ben’s played against high-level competition over the past year. I think he’s probably one of the one’s that’s maybe more ready,” Marks said at media day.

Saraf carried a heavy offensive load last season for an Ulm squad that made a finals run in Germany’s top professional league. He appeared in 60 games with 39 starts, averaging 12.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists on 44/29/75 shooting splits.

Ben Saraf impresses Nets teammates and coaches entering rookie campaign

With three years of professional basketball under his belt, Saraf isn’t intimidated by the NBA’s bright lights or star power. His Nets teammates and coaches have praised his composure during the team’s offseason scrimmages.

“When you first get to the NBA, it takes a minute to not look at these superstars how you did when you were growing up watching them,” said Michael Porter Jr. “Overseas players are a little different, because they’ve been playing professionally for so long. I noticed it in Ben. Just talking to the coaches about him, how he is in open gym, and just how impressive he’s been to me. I think he’s 19 years old and his level of professionalism, just walking around, is well beyond his years.”

Saraf feels his experiences at his past professional stops have made for a smooth NBA transition.

“It’s going to be my fourth year playing professional, so I’ve got some experience. With playoff games I played with full arenas, so I think it’s helped me,” he said. “And my teammates, my vets, I’m trying to learn from each one of them. I don’t feel like a rookie here. I am a rookie, I’ll do all my duties and everything, but it’s basketball, so I’m just going out there and playing.”