Day’Ron Sharpe learning to play the Brooklyn (real estate) game

Day’Ron Sharpe is the youngest Brooklyn Net, at 19 and a month younger than fellow rookie Cam Thomas. He’s handsomely paid at nearly $2 million in salary plus whatever he can garner from endorsements.

All that aside, it’s still a daunting task to find your first apartment, in Brooklyn, that’s big enough for him, his mom and dad, and a cousin. But as the New York Times reported Monday, Sharpe seems to have gotten the hang of it.

David Gardner of the Times followed Sharpe around last month as he and the fam trekked from one possibility to the next, looking for that perfect apartment. Here’s how Gardner described Sharpe’s needs.

Besides staying within the budget, he wanted to be close both to the Nets’ practice facility in Industry City and to Barclays Center in Prospect Heights. He wanted a place that was pet friendly because he plans to adopt a dog. He wanted good Wi-Fi so that he could play Call of Duty: Warzone and NBA 2K. And he wanted a three-bedroom apartment so his parents, Derrick and Michelle Sharpe, and his cousin Trevion Williams could live with him.

That’s a pretty standard for a lot of Draft picks, including many of the youngest players. Having their parents and others close by is a bit of comfort. Sharpe told Gardner it is, by no means, a burden. It’s a necessity.

“Family is the most important thing to me,” Sharpe said. “I wouldn’t be here without them, and I’m glad they will be here with me as I get my start in the N.B.A.”

Another requirement is room for a dog, a big dog, in the apartment, something a lot of landlords do not permit.

“I want a big dog,” the near seven-footer told the Times. “I mean, really big. I’m a big guy. I can’t be out here with a little Chihuahua.”

There were some deviations from the NBA norm. Sharpe says he doesn’t need an oversized bed. That’s a misconception. He’s fine with something smaller, so that his feet can dangle. “People think I need a huge bed,” he said, “but I’d be happy if I just had a queen at this point.”

In the end, Sharpe found what he needed. Starting with Media Day next Monday, Sharpe will be bona fide NBA player at just 19. Having a home with family, friends and great WI-FI is likely to ease the process.

Besides finding that great apartment, what else is among this goals? Being a rotation player early in the season.

• Nets Rookie Goes Apartment Shopping. Needs Ice Cream - David Gardner - New York Times