Instagram story viewer> @chitown007> Posts

Mike Naiditch

@chitown007

967

followers

207

following

Sports Agent
NBA / FIBA / NCAA / NIL
Twitter: @chitown007

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

Great Boston #Flosserscape submitted by @chitown007 and @eddie_mirman by @chitown007

1

0

2 days ago

Back in 2020 when @pellelarsson_ arrived at @utahmbb , NIL wasn’t authorized & player movement was heavily restricted. In 2021, the NCAA implemented the one-time transfer exception, & soon thereafter, the NIL era began. Pelle transferred & played immediately at NBA factory @arizonambb where he won 2 Pac-12 championships & made 2 Sweet 16 appearances.

On a personal note, my son and I went to Tucson for the @badgermbb game where Pelle absolutely destroyed my Badgers. To top it off, a drunk Arizona fan called us the P-word three different times… twice in a taco restaurant and once in a drive-by.

Combine prep began at @impactball in Las Vegas. Even with a so-so combine (Pelle played the right way in an environment where most were pressing), what seemed like every team told @danielponeman they wanted another look. Dan’s task was to balance team interest, travel, and Pelle’s health (remember COVID?).

Then the fireworks. Pelle had a near-perfect workout back at @impactball in front of NBA execs. If the draft was based on one single day, he’s in the Green Room.

As the gauntlet continued, Pelle self-described one of his last workout performances as his worst.

Pelle didn’t get a Green Room invite, though the league offered comped GA tickets, which he declined. The morning of round 2, we all met, talked best outcome, & then @danielponeman & I revisited every team, locking in on who was stashing picks in Europe, who already had their guy, who was hunting 2-ways, and who was looking to roster a player using the 2nd round exception, our target. We had a backstop in the 50s, but maybe not the best fit, more of a value pick.

One team did tell us early, “Pelle is going to be very happy.” Still, paranoia set in. What did that actually mean?

We watched on tv, picks unfolding as expected, then reached the “best outcome” team, the one Pelle thought he had his worst workout, the one who said Pelle was going to be very happy, the one who had tracked him for years.

@miamiheat called his name at #44

Skål by @chitown007

18

6

9 months ago

When @johnbutlerjr_ considered leaving @fsuhoops after his freshman season, he had averaged less than 6 points a game. Normally that wouldn’t turn heads. But John was that rare 7-footer who could both shoot threes and defend the rim. The main knock on JB was his slight frame.

So off he went to New York for combine and draft workout training, where every carb-loaded weight gaining shake was offset by a long road trip with one bag of airplane pretzels for dinner. By the time the #nbacombine came around, John weighed in at 174.4, nearly the same weight as the diminutive point guard, Kennedy Chander. The number was so low that the Butlers considered investigating the scale. In retrospect, given the Dominion voting machine settlement, it was wise to move on.

#nbadraft night was particularly rough. As the draft moved to the latter half of the 1st round, John sped down from his swank skybox suite at @barclayscenter center to the stage in anticipation of hearing his name called. Toward the tail end of the draft, John dragged himself back upstairs. The next day John changed agents.

With no time to lose, John changed things up. He flew to Chicago for a fresh restart. He met with Tim Grover, famous for training NBA greats like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. More recently Grover had become a motivational self-help author. Then JB started sports performance training at @parisichicago (a highly popular football pre-draft program) with @katalinmkoriginal, the actual character model for @mortalkombat

John’s focus on self-improvement proved to pay off.

The @pelicansnba brought John to Las Vegas and after a 25 point outburst in @nbasummerleague they signed John to an exhibit 10 with thoughts of creating a roster spot via trade. During training camp, with no available roster spots, John was converted to a 2-way and immediately waived. After clearing waivers, John packed up and went to Birmingham to prepare for the @nbagleague season until his name was finally called, although not by Adam Silver or Mark Tatum; The @trailblazers offered John a 2 way, one that would ultimately stick. by @chitown007

71

4

3 years ago

It was an overcast evening in Chicago where Beyond hosted an NBA networking event at the @vurooftop strategically located across from the Wintrust Arena where the #nbacombine combine was taking place.

I was happy to see, among others, Keifer Sykes, who had already played five professional overseas and @nbagleague seasons under the guidance of various agencies. Both he and @_alvo_ were #marshallcommandos and together played for @gbphoenixmbb. It is thanks to my interest in @ksykesyb28 that I had a positive first impression of Alfonzo when I went to watch UWGB.

There he was five years later standing on the balcony of the Vu leaving me curious as to what prompted him to make the move to hire @danielponeman . He basically said he believed in DP and wanted to be represented by somebody who believed in him, somebody with some fight, somebody he trusted. He was going to do his part and his instincts told him DP was the right partner. I was happy for them, each who had a chip knowing they were both deserving of more respect while enduring a barrage of doubters. It felt like a match that would be blessed.

About a month later Keifer would hit a contested off-the-dribble pull up three to win the @the.tournament and a share of the $1 million prize. Within minutes after the viral moment, @shamsnba announced that Keifer agreed to a deal with the @pacers. Although subsequently waived before the season started, Keifer stuck with it, playing for the @fortwaynemadants. In late December the Pacers signed Keifer to a rest of season contract. Shortly thereafter Keifer scored 22 points in a nationally televised game against the @nyknicks at @thegarden.

During the next off-season, despite having experienced his long awaited @NBA opportunity, Keifer moved onto a new agency. Nevertheless, we were elated to be part of the single season stand. Just as Jim from American Pie said when he woke up and realized he was alone, “Cool.” by @chitown007

42

0

3 years ago

I've seen my fair share of @badgermbb players pass through my office, each leaving their mark as they navigate the ever-evolving world of professional basketball. There's a unique bond that ties us to the academic institutions we've attended – a bond that's both mysterious and powerful, giving us a sense of belonging to something bigger than ourselves. We share common experiences like ice cream at Memorial Union, the wild student section at @badgerfootball games, & the satisfying taste of 2am gyros on State Street.

@aleemford, a talented Badger system player with high character but limited @NBA hype, embodied that sense of belonging. So we embarked on an unconventional journey to prove his worth. In doing background, I learned from one of Aleem’s college coach that Aleem had a Spanish parent. Although that wasn’t exactly the case, the tip led me to confirm Aleem's Puerto Rican heritage, and we immediately pivoted our game plan.

Instead of chasing NBA pre-draft workouts, Aleem was selected 1st overall in the Puerto Rican draft by @leonesponcebsn 🇵🇷. While it may have been challenging to watch his peers collect NBA socks across the country, Aleem was steadfast in pursuing his dream. The @osceolamagic (formerly Lakeland) even promised him a future spot on their roster, showing faith in his potential. Having this landing spot helped emotionally when Aleem had to decline a last minute predraft workout invitation from the @warriors.

In Puerto Rico, Aleem initially struggled, his playing time limited due to his passive approach. A veteran teammate pulled him aside, explaining, "This is how we eat," and ignited a newfound hunger in Aleem. He arrived in the @nbagleague, a transformed player, earning major minutes.

Fate intervened when COVID ravaged the @orlandomagic roster, and Aleem got the call-up! 📞 His journey may have been unlikely, but it was far from accidental. The combination of game plan, size for his position, and unwavering character propelled him to the NBA stage.

Aleem proved that sometimes taking the road less traveled can lead to the most rewarding destinations.

#JourneyToTheNBA # #HardWorkPaysOff #NeverGiveUp by @chitown007

30

1

3 years ago

I remember watching the @nbagleague Elite Camp & Dalano's game had me puzzled. At 6'9", he was handling the ball on the perimeter and passing more than driving, almost like he thought he was a point guard. @danielponeman , who followed Dalano's collegiate career, clarified that @_dubberdon was actually a pg. That made more sense and helped me understand Dalano’s appeal at the next level; Size for position is always a plus. Although Dalano wasn't initially invited to the event, as he was considering returning to @huskerhoops , thanks to Dan's persistence, he became a last-minute replacement.

A few days later, Dalano participated in our pro day at the same arena as the #nbacombine. We had a good sense of which @nba teams had interest in him at that point. We were confident he had a shot in the late second round or as an undrafted free agent, so we set our sights on the @raptors, who had two picks in the middle of the second round and had never drafted a Canadian player before.

However, navigating upcoming pre-draft workouts was complicated. Declining invitations means rejecting our scouting and front office friends, and accepting them could potentially block our desired path. But on draft day, I was feeling optimistic about Toronto. In fact, I was already brainstorming marketing ideas if the Raptors drafted Dalano. I discovered that @tangerinebank was their official banking partner, so I went on a hunt for #tangerines at H-Mart, but could only find mandarins and clementines. I learned that all tangerines are mandarins but not all mandarins are tangerines.

Undeterred, I showed up at the draft gathering with two giant bags of mandarins and hoped nobody would notice the difference. I strategically placed them everywhere at the draft party! While everyone was laughing at my interior decorating, Dalano astutely asked “is this for some type of product sponsorship?”

Dalano even showed off his mandarin juggling skills for the videographer, who soon switched his attention to the #nbadraft, where Dalano was selected at 46, making him the first ever Canadian player drafted by the Raptors.

#torontomans #ohcanada by @chitown007

24

1

4 years ago

"Stubbornness is simply the other side of the coin of perseverance - it's just a matter of flipping it to see the dedication and determination that lies beneath."

@macmcclung37 had just participated in the 2021 @nbagleague Showcase in Las Vegas, where he learned from his agent @danielponeman that the @chicagobulls had offered an NBA 10-day contract, what would be his first foray into the NBA fraternity.

I happened to be on the same flight to Chicago & shared a ride from O'Hare to the Nobu Hotel in Chicago’s West Loop. Mac seemed to want some quiet, perhaps to reflect on the accomplishment. Here was a young man who had become a social media sensation with a rapper relative, insane shooting range, & jaw-dropping dunks.

I broke the silence, asking him how he felt about making it to the @NBA. He simply said he couldn’t feel any sense of accomplishment, because he hadn’t yet impacted an NBA game. That's when I realized Mac was determined & different.

In his 20 days with the Bulls, Mac ended up playing only 2 minutes before returning to the @southbaylakers. Toward the end of the season the @lakers signed Mac to a 2 way, where he played the last game of the season, ending in grand fashion with a double clutch reverse dunk.

Mac performed well for the @warriors in the next summer league & preseason. Steve Kerr ended up making a tough decision & released Mac, despite saying Mac was an NBA player. At that point, Mac was confronted with the decision to play overseas for $1 million or return to the G League for $50k; He opted to walk away from the bribe in hopes of making a more permanent NBA leap.

Mac's determination can sometimes come across as stubbornness, but it's what drives him.

After posting multiple 40+ point games for @delawarebluecoats, Mac received a 2 way from the @sixers & was invited to #nbaallstar weekend to participate in the #nbarisingstars game & NBA #dunkcontest … AND WON!

Mac will never stop striving to be the best. He will always be looking for ways to reset the bar and make an impact on the game. Mac McClung is more than just an Instagram star turned NBA player; he's a symbol of determination, hard work, and a true love for the game. by @chitown007

57

3

4 years ago

"Unselfish on the court, unstoppable in life: Devonte Patterson, a champion through adversity." ChatGPT

Despite the many challenges that faced @devontepattersonn in his youth, he has always been blessed to have a loving & supportive expanded family.

After having won the Texas 4A hs basketball championship, Devonte spent 2 years in JUCO before attending @pvamu , whose last NCAA appearance was 21 years earlier. Not only did Devonte lead his team to the #ncaatournament, he also won consecutive @theswac regular season championships, which PV hadn’t accomplished for 58 years.

After Devonte’s jr season, where he was named 1st Team All-SWAC, he entered his name in the @NBA draft and went through the process with an agent while retaining his college eligibility. Although he wasn’t invited to the NBA combine, he participated in the Beyond Pro Day in Chicago. Note: He was so enthusiastic about cheering for his peers, he was asked to be less supportive!

Devonte went on to return to school, hoping to lead his team to first ever back to back NCAA tournament appearances. Unfortunately, the conference tournament was canceled due to Covid, abruptly ending Devonte’s amateur career as the SWAC Player of the Year.

Due to the pandemic, the NBA canceled the combine and all pre-draft workouts leaving under the radar prospects with no venue to prove themselves. After submitting his pre draft drills on an app called HomeCourt, all Devonte could do is wait.

On draft night, I received a call just after the first round had ended. It was Mark Cuban telling me that the @dallasmavs were going to draft Tyrell Terry with the 1st pick in the 2nd round and that they were offering Devonte a training camp contract with a 10k signing bonus. All he had to do to earn the bonus was to play for the Mav’s G-League affiliate, Texas Legends. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough room in the G-League Covid bubble, so the Legends opted out, eliminating Devonte’s bonus. The union came to the rescue and recovered half.

The NBA journey is never easy; it’s often a collection of both thrills & disappointments. For Devonte the NBA quest is what motivates him to defeat adversity. by @chitown007

25

3

4 years ago

30

4

4 years ago

2 years after being selected as the 1st pick in the 2nd round of the 2020 #nbadraft, @tyterry_ courageously announced his retirement citing dark times & anxiety. Agent @danielponeman followed with heartfelt support saying “I don’t know exactly what the future will bring to this amazing 22-year-old human. But I’m honored to be walking this path alongside him.”

Tyrell's @stanfordmbb had just lost in the @pac12conference tournament. Within 24 hrs the NBA season was suspended & NCAA post season canceled. Mark Cuban’s cell phone-in-hand courtside shock pretty much said it all. The dark cloud of the Covid pandemic had officially engulfed us.

With so much uncertainty surrounding the timing of the basketball restart, Tyrell looked to the fledgling NCAA program that allowed student athletes to test the NBA waters while retaining eligibility. At the time @espn didn’t have the 6’2 160 lb pg ranked in the top 40.

On May 25, blocks from Tyrell’s home in Minneapolis, George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer. Then on August 23, agent Dan Poneman’s childhood friend Jacob Blake was shot & seriously injured by a police officer. During the course of the summer, Tyrell & Dan would participate in social justice protests. Basketball seemed far less important than fighting the injustices that had been brought to the forefront of the masses.

Nevertheless, the pre-draft process would continue, albeit it different; with NBA evaluators relying on game footage & Zoom interviews, some going like this. “Good to meet you. Go back to school & get stronger” (Stanford coaches would regularly reinforce this theme). Some teams would ask esoteric questions like “would you rather go to war with a single 5 ton elephant or five 1 ton elephants?”

After Tyrell broke the record for the highest basketball IQ ever registered in a test administered by NBA executives & a highly produced video highlighting Tyrell’s incredible strength gain over the summer, the @dallasmavs drafted Tyrell and guaranteed him nearly $4.6 million.

Ultimately, the uniform and the money added little value to Tyrell’s self worth leading him to let go of the game that had formed a large part of his identity. by @chitown007

27

2

4 years ago

Isaiah Hartenstein was down from the opening bell. His stock, according to Jonathan Givony, had “dropped dramatically when he was red-flagged by NBA doctors with a back condition. Landed at 43 with Houston in the end.”

The @houstonrockets drafted for value, hoping to flip the asset for multiple picks. They shrewdly convinced Hartenstein to play in the @nbagleague for a season before signing him to a 3 yr minimum.

Isaiah ended up leading @rgvvipers to a championship and was the 2019 USABasket.com finals MVP. Unfortunately, Isaiah’s rising value was accompanied by a higher asking price in the trade market. Picture a dog chasing its tail.

From 2016-17 to 2019-20 the Rockets led the @NBA in 3pt field goal attempts; Isaiah appeared to be no more than an unusable asset.

Going into the summer of his final contract year, Isaiah fired his agent & hired one of the agents at Beyond who had a gameplan, a sort of trade proposal, but not a conventional one; The Rockets were hot after Jae’Sean Tate who had just come off a standout season in the @nbl. Although Isaiah, in limited starts for the Rockets, averaged 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks, the Beyond agent convinced the Rockets to free Isaiah in order to create a roster spot for Tate.

The next season, the @Nuggets rewarded Isaiah with a two year guaranteed deal, the second year being a player option. During the season, the Nuggets did what the Rockets didn’t; They traded Isaiah. With the @Cavs, Isaiah flourished, doubling his minutes, points, & rebounds while displaying newfound passing skills, perhaps acquired by osmosis from Denver’s @jokicnikolaofficial . Accordingly, after the Cavs drafted @evanmobley4 , Isaiah opted out of the final year of the contract that followed him from Denver to Cleveland.

Free agency went quickly with no teams offering guarantees. The @laclippers needed depth because @SergeIbaka was out with a bad back. So Isaiah agreed to a one year deal & ended up beating out 2017 1st rounder Harry Giles. After playing exceptionally well with the Clippers, where he was a major rotational player & even posted a couple double doubles, he cashed in with the @nyknicks for 2 yrs $16 mil! by @chitown007

27

1

4 years ago

"Luck is tenacity of purpose"

- Elbert Hubbard -

Josh Gray was far from home, playing for the @lgsakers of the Korean Basketball League (@kbl_official ). Although he was earning hundreds of thousands, he felt unfulfilled. The previous season, he had a brief encounter with the NBA, landing a couple 10-days with the @suns appearing in five games and averaging a little more than six points per game. Nevertheless, there he was believing his purpose was to play again in the NBA, represented by an agent generating massive commissions, sometimes as much as 10% for Americans playing overseas.

Josh played well enough in Korea to receive an offer for a contract extension. Insisting that his destination should be the NBA, Josh rejected the offer and was tagged with a multi year KBL ban.

One of the Beyond agents was familiar with Josh’s game and was determined to guide Josh back to the league.

Upon his return to the USA, Josh participated in @nbasummerleague for the @brooklynnets, who ultimately did not offer a standard contract. Fortunately, just after summer league, the @pelicansnba awarded Josh a two-way contract, which sort of counts as being in the NBA, although at the time, two-way players earned G-League level money except when called up for NBA games. Josh played in only 2 games for the Pelicans; Then COVID struck. Unfortunately, Josh was ineligible for the bubble. After the 19-20 season ended, Josh would be a free agent with little on his resume to indicate he would be offered an NBA contract for the 21-22 season.

When free agency began, not one NBA team expressed serious interest in Josh. At the time, the Pelicans were engaged in trading for Steven Adams. As the trade expanded, the trade rules would require the Pelicans to include additional outgoing salary. The Pelicans had already jettisoned Jrue Holiday.

Being that teams are allowed to sign and trade their own free agents, Josh, who averaged one point the previous season, was signed (and traded) to a fully guaranteed $1.62 million deal.

#tenacity by @chitown007

25

2

4 years ago