WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Nojel Eastern was aware of the questions regarding his decision to declare for the NBA draft without hiring an agent.
After all, as a Purdue freshman, the Evanston graduate averaged 2.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 12.6 minutes per game.
More Top Picks Dji Flip
The 6-foot-6, 220-pound point guard, who worked out for the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics, didn’t pay much attention to those who doubted his decision.
“I just wanted a professional evaluation,” Eastern said. “Getting from the best of the best, getting what you need to do in the summer from the best people, what they think you need to work on.
“These are the people you really want to listen to. The coaches here too, you want to listen to them for sure. But it’s just another evaluation of what I need to work on in the summer and what I need to do to be able to play at the next level.”
The feedback, not surprisingly, included Eastern developing his perimeter shot. He already had been taking measures to attempt to improve in that area.
Eastern estimated he has been getting up 500 shots a day. He’s tweaked his mechanics, focusing on going straight up into his shot and eliminating any hitch.
“It’s a lot of consistency and repetition, doing the same thing over and over and over again,” Eastern said. “That was the main thing I took this summer to do. But I’m still working on other aspects of my game.”
Indeed, NBA personnel cautioned him not to get too caught up in his jumper. He still has the advantage of size at the position, and he has ability as a defender.
“They told me to continue to work on it, but during the season, it improved a lot,” Eastern said. “Continue to work on it, but don’t let that hinder you from playing your game. Shooting’s only one part. There are multiple parts of the game you can be great at — continue to rebound, continue the assist-to-turnover ratio, things like that. Little things to win.
“I just don’t let that hinder me anymore, even though I still continue to work on it. I still tone up all aspects of my game, plus the shooting.”
Eastern was asked about other takeaways from the draft process.
“It’s mental,” he said. “The game is physically a lot different at that level, but it’s being able to do those physical things while you’re thinking at the same time. It’s using your brain, using your mental part of the game.
“The game, of course, is physical. But if you’re smart or if you’re a step ahead, that helps you maintain your game a lot longer.”
Eastern projects to have an expanded role this season for Purdue. He should be the leading candidate to take over at the point after the graduation of P.J. Thompson, allowing Carsen Edwards to play off the ball.
Eastern played particularly well late last season, and his focus has turned to building on his performance to benefit the Boilermakers.
“I live in the moment,” Eastern said. “I lived in that moment when I was working out for the NBA teams, it was a great experience. But now I’m back at Purdue, I’m living in the moment.
“I want to try to win, try to get to the Final Four. I want to try to help my teammates get better, try to help myself get better, so one day we all possibly can play at the next level.”