Miami Heat: Yante Maten’s grind continues in the NBA Summer League
Yante Maten is the latest to join Miami Heat’s 2018 Summer League team.
For a handful of NBA hopefuls, the 2018 NBA Draft proved fruitful.
60 names and even fewer teams were called by commissioner and deputy commissioner Adam Silver and Mark Tatum respectively, though the Miami Heat weren’t among the bunch.
The Heat instead turn to the upcoming NBA Summer League to appraise potential roster additions. Miami’s squad, which will play in both the Sacramento and Las Vegas tournaments, is headlined by familiar faces Bam Adebayo, Derrick Walton Jr. and Derrick Jones Jr., and accompanied by a collection of undrafted prospects.
Joining Miami’s summer troupe is Yante Maten, a former University of Georgia Bulldog who earned 2017-18 SEC player of the year honors. His distinguished play as a power forward saw him lead Georgia in points (19.3), rebounds (8.6) and blocks (1.5) per game through 33 contests this season.
Maten worked out for 12 teams heading into Thursday’s draft but Miami wasn’t one of them. A capable forward with his back to the basket, Maten was projected at times to land at least as a second round pick.
Fate ultimately said otherwise.
Missing out on hearing his name called however, has done little to slow him down. This is Maten’s second run through draft shenanigans. He previously entered into the 2017 NBA Draft, doing so agentless, which allowed him the leeway to return to Georgia and finish his four years of NCAA eligibility.
Coming off of his best collegiate performance, Maten is a quizzical addition to Miami’s scouting outlook. Even if he was guaranteed a roster spot today, as a 6-foot-8 forward, Maten sits behind Hassan Whiteside, Adebayo, Kelly Olynyk and James Johnson for front court minutes.
Depth charts aside, Maten fits the bill for Miami’s brand of insurance. Last season, Jordan Mickey was the team’s power forward/center understudy, filling in most often when injury struck.
Maten is almost pound for pound Mickey’s replica, which spells good fortune for his hoop dreams. The jury is still out on Whiteside’s fit in Miami next season and Maten could prove the perfect project for a Heat two-way contract.
Relatively undersized given the gangly skeletons featured in this year’s draft, Maten is equipped with a flexibility to fit wherever he’s needed most. His interior skills are his biggest selling point, playing gracefully with his back staring down the rim.
What’s more is Maten’s willingness to tread new waters. He steadily increased his 3-point output in each of his Georgia seasons, culminating in 34 percent from deep on 2.6 attempts per game in his senior year.
"“A lot of teams have told me I’m pretty good at ball-handling, they didn’t know that in college because I didn’t do it too much, creating for myself,” Maten said. “I’m pretty good at creating for others, too. I’m just trying to make sure I’m using all of my talents instead of the post ones. You got 7-footers out there on the perimeter, so you got to be able to do more than just score in the paint.”"
Underrated in Maten’s draft board scouting reports though was his impact as a teammate. Last December, Maten jogged back gleefully, donning a pair of 3-goggles and a toothy grin after draining a shot in a season high 30-point performance against Temple University. Former Georgia head coach Mark Fox went on to describe the man behind the jersey as simply “terrific”.
"“If he’s not the best young man on our campus, he’s tied for first,” Fox said. He’s a terrific young man – that’s a credit to his mom and to his family. He’s meant a lot to our program. I can’t state enough, just the example that he is. When your best player is your hardest worker and your best person, you’ve got a chance to have a pretty good team I think and he is that for us.”"
Yet to turn 22 – his birthday is in August – Maten has the age advantage most draftees pass on. He grew from a seldom played freshman to Georgia’s undisputed leader. Maten carries with him the experience of commitment to his craft, even when draft night passes without consequence.
Maten might not find a home on Miami’s opening night roster, though his work ethic encourages a few extra looks at a two-way spot.
Next: Miami Heat: Matt Farrell is a great addition to the team’s Summer League roster
The Heat’s long-term roster plans are still under wraps, but Maten is certainly in consideration as the newest member of Heat Nation.