Progress Report: Steve Nash foresees Reggie Perry as a ‘very good three-pointer shooter’

Prior to Saturday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, Steve Nash spoke about Reggie Perry, the Nets second-round pick, for the first time since Brooklyn dispatched the rookie to the G League “bubble.”

Nash provided high praise for his rookie while spotlighting development — an avenue the Nets continue to focus on despite chasing a championship. The Nets head coach sees Perry as a very good 3-point shooter down the road while detailing a skill set that fits a stretch-4 or even a stretch-5 player.

“We like Reggie’s skill set. He’s a guy that can develop into a very good three-point shooter and he’s got a good feel for the game,” Nash said. “He can pass. He can play triple-handoff, pick-and-roll in the short role, make plays for his teammates, and he’s skilled around the basket.”

Nash added that if Perry continues to develop at “an improved and accelerated rate,” he certainly can help Brooklyn while noting he wants his rookie to continue to get minutes down there to help development.

“If he continues to develop in all those things and is able to defend at an improved and accelerated rate, he is definitely an NBA player and can help us,” Nash said. “I just want to give him that opportunity in the bubble to keep growing, keep getting better, and get those minutes that allow him to develop.”

Perry, who was sent down the G League bubble prior to Long Island’s first game, has played in 11 games posting averages of 18.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists while shooting 55.8 percent overall and 44 percent from deep.

On top of his impressive averages, the Nets second-rounder has been consistent. His lowest-scoring performance in the “bubble” was four points but Perry only played 11 minutes of first-half play against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on February 20.

On the other hand, Perry’s biggest performance came against the Westchester Knicks, scoring a career-high 25 points to go along with 11 rebounds and five assists in 31 minutes.

In Saturday’s loss to the Santa Cruz Warriors, Perry finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, along with five turnovers, in 30 minutes of play.