The Nation’s Capital’s newest team had open tryouts on Saturday and there was plenty of interest. The NBA G-League’s, Capital City Go-Go’s, had over 100 players come out to try to make their dreams come true. Per NBA rule, the Go-Go can’t invite more than four players to camp. With a roster returning and two players with two-way contracts, the Go-Go will be looking for players to round out the bench with versatility.
“We’re looking for some guys who can play multiple positions… who can defend multiple positions”, said head coach Jarell Christian.
Of course, making it to camp will be a tall order for any player who participated in the open tryout, something the staff understands. Go-Go GM, Pops Mensah-Bonsu knows what it’s like to bounce around the league having played for several teams in the NBA and overseas. With so many players trying out it becomes a numbers game. Mensah-Bonsu acknowledged that would be “elimination process is unique”.
But for the ones who get the invite, they can look at Jonathan Simmons as the poster child of what can happen when getting an opportunity. Simmons made the Austin Toros (San Antonio Spurs) and later got called up to the San Antonio Spurs. “Simmons was in the exact same situation as them but he doesn’t hide the fact that he borrowed $150 from his mother to come to the tryouts. She thought he was going to fix his car and now he’s a multi-millionaire” said GM Pops Mensah-Bonsu. After a successful stint with the Spurs, Simmons signed a three-year deal with the Orlando Magic.
The NBA has grown the G-League to a point where it can serve as a true minor league for NBA teams. Almost every team has their own dedicated G-League organization and could serve as an alternative to players going to Europe.
“If you can tell a player that he gets stay in the states and has a chance to make it to the NBA and there’s great pathline or pipeline to get to the NBA maybe that’s a little more intriguing for them to do so as opposed to going overseas”, said Coach Christian.
