The New York Jets have several superior athletes who may be able to play basketball
The New York Jets have no shortage of elite athletes. Joe Douglas tends to prioritize high Relative Athletic Scores in his draft picks. The Jets’ defense is predicated on speed and athleticism, while their previous zone scheme also required elite athletes.
Therefore, former NBA player Austin Rivers’ claim that there are 30 NBA players who could play in the NFL but not vice versa raises a question: which Jets players would be the best basketball players?
“I can take 30 players right now in the NBA and throw them in the NFL. You cannot take 30 NFL players and put them in the NBA.” —@AustinRivers25
What NBA players could you see playing in the NFL? 👀 @PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/nY8SJRfwX8
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 7, 2024
Will McDonald
Will McDonald lettered in basketball in high school and didn’t start playing football until his junior year. His 36-inch vertical ranks in the 75th percentile among all athletes to test in the NFL Combine, and his 82¼-inch wingspan ranks in the 82nd percentile. McDonald would be a guard at his measured 6-foot-3⅝, but he’s as likely a Jet as any to play basketball.
Oh, and he jumped over a car.
Zack Kuntz
Zack Kuntz lettered in basketball in high school and hoped to be recruited to play in college. At 6-foot-8 with a perfect 10.00 Relative Athletic Score, Kuntz has the size and athleticism to play basketball. His 40-inch vertical ranked in the 95th percentile among all athletes to test at the Combine. In many ways, Kuntz looks more like a basketball player than a football player.
Garrett Wilson
Garrett Wilson might be too short to play basketball at 5-foot-11¾. Still, it was his first love. He played basketball to prepare for his work with Aaron Rodgers in the 2023 offseason. Wilson’s 36-inch vertical was in the 75th percentile among athletes at the Combine. You could see Wilson as a point guard, quarterbacking basketball plays.
Garrett Wilson could have also went pro in basketball. Change my mind:pic.twitter.com/o8Ka9WyuOb
— NYJ Matt (@NYJ_Matt) August 18, 2023
Sauce Gardner
Sauce Gardner is so good at football that you can imagine him doing pretty much anything. His change-of-direction skills, make-up speed, long arms (33½ inches), and hand-eye coordination make him an intriguing basketball candidate. The bigger question for Sauce would be if he can catch passes from teammates; he dropped three interceptions in 2023.
Jermaine Johnson
Jermaine Johnson‘s motor makes him a possible fit for any sport. He would be an aggressive basketball player, likely playing near the basket despite his 6-foot-4⅝ frame, which would be quite small for the sport. Johnson didn’t have a great vertical (32 inches, 38th percentile among Combine athletes), but his 34-inch arms could do him some good.
Jets fans, did I miss anyone? Which Jets players do you think could play basketball?
You missed Breece who was a baller and Tryon Smith would definitely have been a threat in his prime. Mike Williams and Malachi Corley even at his shorter stature was a four yr player.