Former Owensboro Thoroughbred Jaiveon Eaves has made his way to the next level, earning a roster spot with the NBA G-League’s Motor City Cruise.
The Motor City Cruise is the Detroit Pistons G-League affiliate, which Eaves signed with on Friday Oct. 8.
Eaves was named to the Midwest Division First Team earlier this year after posting 19.7 ppg on 49.3% shooting from the field with the Thoroughbreds.
Head Coach Mark Anderson said he was the ultimate team player during his time in Owensboro and thrived because of it.
“It was a pleasure coaching Jaiveon,” Anderson said. “Once we settled into having him come off the bench he took off and embraced it. How many players average 20 points off the bench and don’t complain about not starting? He understood what we needed.”
Anderson said he thinks that Eaves being around veterans that have experience in professional basketball helped him grow exponentially.
“He will bring competing everyday in practice, understanding his role, which he did here and is very coachable,” Anderson said. “I think playing this past season in Owensboro really helped his development being around veteran players who helped him on and maybe more importantly off the court, in what it takes to be a pro.”
Anderson said that he’s thrilled to see another Owensboro Thoroughbred make another jump in their professional career and hopes to continue to have even more players find the same success in the future.
“It’s why we are here and that is to give players an opportunity to advance their career whether it’s here (GLeague, NBA) or overseas,” Anderson said. “We have been pretty fortunate to have players who have the opportunity to excel in their career and also make an impact in the community.”
Eaves and the Motor City Cruise are wrapping up the preseason, as the regular season is set to begin on Saturday Nov. 6 against the Cleveland Charge.
