​It was a bright day for Joshua Jefferson as he finally made his Brooklyn Nets Summer League debut on Saturday.However, it came after a delayed arrival caused by the trade that brought him to Brooklyn.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDespite a rusty box score, the rookie forward said the biggest challenge was returning to live basketball after a four-month layoff while learning an entirely new team on the fly.Jefferson finished with nine points, one assist, and two steals in Brooklyn’s 83-76 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. He shot just 1-for-8 from the field, though he got to the free-throw line six times and converted five attempts.After the game, he pointed to the long absence from competitive action as the biggest hurdle in his debut.”I think today was my first game in like four months since March when I got hurt,” Jefferson said. “It’s really been a long time since I’ve been in a playing setting because I wasn’t able to get any practice reps either.”The 22-year-old’s college career at Iowa State ended in March after a left ankle sprain during the NCAA Tournament. His transition to Brooklyn became even more complicated when the trade involving Julius Randle wasn’t finalized until Friday.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt ultimately prevented him from participating in the California Classic or practicing with his new teammates before Summer League. However, Jefferson admitted that unfamiliarity with Brooklyn’s roster also contributed to the uneven performance.”The first half was good. Had some really good showings,” Jefferson said. “Just getting comfortable with the guys. I never played with them before, so it’s going to be pretty foreign for me the first time. But it’s good to get good reps right now.”Despite shooting struggles, Jefferson remained encouraged by a glimpse of what he can bring offensively.”I definitely think I’m going to be fine,” he said. “I showed some glimpses of what I can do with the ball in my hand, so I just got to keep playing.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJefferson will be competing for rotation minutes with Julius Randle, Michael Porter Jr., and several young forwards already on the roster.Though his debut may have been rusty, after months away from game action and only one day with the team, the rookie believes more time on the court will quickly smooth out the adjustment.Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It’s free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.Download the free Roundtable APP, (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/roundtable-rtb/id6450423049) and stay even more connected!