It’s time for Nate Hinton to clock in.
In the recent days and weeks, Nate Hinton and trainer Jody Patton scanned countless mock drafts in an effort to learn what the Gastonia native can expect ahead of Wednesday’s NBA Draft.
“We’ve looked at them and we saw one with (Hinton) being picked in the late first round, and then we’ve seen others where he may not be drafted at all. One thing I do know, is that wherever he goes someone better be prepared because Nate is coming for their job.”
Hinton didn’t hear his name called Wednesday, but the Gaston Day product might as well have unearthed a golden ticket.
Shortly after the conclusion of the NBA Draft, the local native agreed to a two-way deal with the Dallas Mavericks. Hinton confirmed the news via Instagaram Live.
“Do you know the tears I just cried, the tears I have been cried? We’re in Dallas with it, man!” Hinton said.
An all-NCISAA Class 2A performer under Gaston Day basketball coach Trent McCallister, Hinton entered Houston as a 4-star prospect ranked No. 95 in the ESPN 100.
In his freshman season with the Cougars, he saw time in each of the team’s 37 games. He averaged 7.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, helping them to a Sweet 16 appearance in the 2019 NCAA Tournament. For his work, Hinton was named to the American Athletic Conference’s all-freshman team.
The former local standout continued his upward progression as a sophomore, averaging 10.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. During a Dec. 11, 2019 matchup with the University of Texas-Arlington, he scored what would be his college career-high with 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting, knocking down four 3-pointers in the contest.
Patton said whether it be through Hinton being drafted or as an undrafted free agent, the work necessary to be the best remains the same. Apparently, the local product tends to agree.
“It ain’t no high major, it ain’t no mid-major, it ain’t no ‘Power 5’, ‘Power 6’, aint no All-American, aint no McDonald’s All-American,” Hinton said on Instagram. “That thing says NBA, that thing is one thing and one thing only. And guess what? The playing field is level, so you know what that means.”
You can reach Joe Hughes at 704-914-8138, email jhughes@gastongazette.com and follow on Twitter @JoeLHughesII.
In the recent days and weeks, Nate Hinton and trainer Jody Patton scanned countless mock drafts in an effort to learn what the Gastonia native can expect ahead of Wednesday’s NBA Draft.
“We’ve looked at them and we saw one with (Hinton) being picked in the late first round, and then we’ve seen others where he may not be drafted at all. One thing I do know, is that wherever he goes someone better be prepared because Nate is coming for their job.”
Hinton didn’t hear his name called Wednesday, but the Gaston Day product might as well have unearthed a golden ticket.
Shortly after the conclusion of the NBA Draft, the local native agreed to a two-way deal with the Dallas Mavericks. Hinton confirmed the news via Instagaram Live.
“Do you know the tears I just cried, the tears I have been cried? We’re in Dallas with it, man!” Hinton said.
An all-NCISAA Class 2A performer under Gaston Day basketball coach Trent McCallister, Hinton entered Houston as a 4-star prospect ranked No. 95 in the ESPN 100.
In his freshman season with the Cougars, he saw time in each of the team’s 37 games. He averaged 7.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, helping them to a Sweet 16 appearance in the 2019 NCAA Tournament. For his work, Hinton was named to the American Athletic Conference’s all-freshman team.
The former local standout continued his upward progression as a sophomore, averaging 10.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. During a Dec. 11, 2019 matchup with the University of Texas-Arlington, he scored what would be his college career-high with 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting, knocking down four 3-pointers in the contest.
Patton said whether it be through Hinton being drafted or as an undrafted free agent, the work necessary to be the best remains the same. Apparently, the local product tends to agree.
“It ain’t no high major, it ain’t no mid-major, it ain’t no ‘Power 5’, ‘Power 6’, aint no All-American, aint no McDonald’s All-American,” Hinton said on Instagram. “That thing says NBA, that thing is one thing and one thing only. And guess what? The playing field is level, so you know what that means.”
You can reach Joe Hughes at 704-914-8138, email jhughes@gastongazette.com and follow on Twitter @JoeLHughesII.
