Mavericks are sitting on a 7-foot-5 hidden gem in the G League

The Dallas Mavericks' center rotation has been in flux all season long due to injuries to Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford, but they quietly have a hidden gem waiting for them in the G League if they ever decide to give him a standard contract.

Sharp proves to be a defensive monster in second season

Jamarion Sharp was named the G League Defensive Player of the Year earlier this week, showing how impactful he's been for the Texas Legends on that end of the floor all season long. He averaged 3.9 blocks per game while playing just 24.9 minutes a night on the year, swallowing up countless opposing shot attempts at the rim with ease.

His 3.9 blocks per game were a significant increase from the 3.2 blocks he averaged during the 2024-25 season, and his steals per game increased from 0.5 to 0.9 as well. He was already an elite paint defender last year, and he took things up a notch during the 2025-26 season.

The counting stats obviously look nice for the former Ole Miss Rebel, but the advanced stats look just as pretty.

Of the players who have contested 200 or more shots at the rim dating back to 2018, Sharp has the lowest rim field goal percentage allowed. He holds opponents to 44.7 percent shooting at the bucket, and he changes everything for the Legends when he's on the court.

When Sharp was on the court, Texas was the No. 1-ranked defense in the G League. When he was on the bench, they were among the league's worst.

His defensive presence is undeniable, and all of these stats illustrate exactly why he was named the top defender in the G League.

Mavericks fans already know all about his impact

Mavericks fans are familiar with Sharp's game since he played for Dallas during Summer League in multiple seasons, as well as the preseason one year, and he's making a name for himself for the Legends. He has definitely taken a step in his development since Summer League last summer, and his defense remains his identity.

Legends head coach Max Hooper frequently calls Sharp the best rim protector in G League history, and he backed up this narrative this season. His 7-foot-5 frame and 7-foot-9 wingspan make him a terrifying presence down low, and teams always have to account for him when he's on the floor.

Sharp made his impact felt by taking his communication up a notch compared to years past. He would shout out defensive coverages to teammates, and talking on defense is essential for defensive anchors.

The Legends played drop coverage in pick-and-roll defense when Sharp was on the floor, and he made it nearly impossible for teams to score around the bucket. His timing and anticipation are excellent, as he pulls off blocks that don't even seem possible.

If Dallas ever decides to give him a standard contract, they'd be getting a defensive specialist who contests everything around the bucket and doesn't give up anything easy. Adding more size is always a plus, and the Mavericks could elect to give him a two-way contract next season if they believe he would make a positive impact on their frontcourt.