Pointer’s shot must improve for NBA

Sir’Dominic Pointer doesn’t have to prove to anyone he’s going to play defense, having shown plenty of defensive skill and athletic ability over his fouryear career at St. John’s.

But if the swingman wants to make it to the NBA, he — as well as the teams watching him work out — all know he has to prove he can make an open jumper.

“I’m just going in and showing I can make shots,” Pointer said after working out at the Nets’ New Jersey practice facility Monday. “I think everyone knows I can play defense, so everybody just wants to see my offense right now, and if I can make an open shot.”

Pointer won the Haggerty Award as the area’s best collegiate player this past season as a senior at St. John’s, averaging 13.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.4 blocks per game. At 6foot5 with a 6foot8 wingspan combined with his impressive athletic ability, Pointer has all of the qualities necessary to be a stout defender.

But Pointer is going to have to improve on his outside shot after going a dismal 2for25 ( 8.0 percent) from behind the arc at St. John’s as a senior and a combined 22for110 ( 20 percent) for his entire collegiate career.

Several Nets were at the practice facility working out Monday, including Brook Lopez, Mason Plumlee, Markel Brown and Cory Jefferson, as was Xavier Thames, whose draft rights belong to the Nets after they took him in the second round last year.