Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said Tuesday that the opportunity to play in the G League for rookie Jett Howard will be beneficial for his development.
The Magic assigned Howard to their G League affiliate, the Osceola Magic, on Monday after playing sparingly to start the season. He has been out of the rotation so far and has logged just 23 minutes of action across five appearances.
Howard will be with Osceola on its upcoming four-game road trip starting Wednesday against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He projects to have the chance to log consistent minutes.
“I think it is going to be so great for him,” Mosley said. “He is a guy who continues to work and continues to strive. I think being able to get game-time minutes down there with (coach) Dylan (Murphy) and Osceola is so great for him to continue to build his confidence more and more with the group.”
Howard averaged 9.3 points and 1.5 rebounds on 39.1% shooting from 3-point range in four games with the Magic in the preseason. He produced his best game on Oct. 20 with 21 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal.
The 11th pick will become the latest first-round pick to play in the G League this year, joining the likes of Taylor Hendricks, Brandin Podziemski, Cam Whitmore, Noah Clowney and Dariq Whitehead. The team is eager to get him more minutes with Osceola.
“I think that is the big piece for him is just getting game reps and game experience with Osceola,” Mosley said. “I think that is going to be very huge.”
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