The NBA is a brutal proving ground, where dreams can soar or shatter in a heartbeat. For Jacksen Moni, a 6-foot-10 undrafted rookie from Fargo, North Dakota, that reality hit hard when the Golden State Warriors waived him less than 48 hours into training camp on September 29, 2025, alongside Ja’Vier Francis and Chance McMillian. Just hours earlier, Moni’s name had glowed with promise as a camp invitee, a chance to shine with a championship franchise. A prolific scorer at North Dakota State, where he averaged 20.8 points on 50.8% shooting as a senior, Moni’s journey—from Northern State’s NSIC stardom to a San Antonio Spurs Summer League stint—shows a kid with heart, hustle, and a deadly jumper. For fans like us, who feel the rush of a motorcycle’s open road but respect nature’s unforgiving edge, Moni’s story mirrors that thrill: a young gun chasing an NBA dream, cut but not broken. Let’s unpack his rise, the Warriors’ swift axe, and why, at 22, this big man’s story is just getting started.
Jacksen Moni’s path to the NBA is a classic underdog tale, rooted in the windswept plains of North Dakota. At Northern State University, a Division II powerhouse, Moni was a scoring machine, racking up over 1,500 career points and earning NSIC All-Conference First Team honors twice. His silky 6-foot-10 frame—rare for a small-school star—paired with a 40% three-point stroke made him a matchup nightmare. Transferring to North Dakota State for his senior year (2024-25), he elevated his game: 20.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, shooting 50.8% from the field and 40.3% from deep across 32 starts. His standout game—a 34-point, 10-rebound torching of South Dakota State—earned him Summit League Player of the Week nods and NBA scout buzz. “He’s got pro size and a pro shot,” an anonymous scout told The Sporting News in March 2025. “If he can defend at the next level, he’s a steal.”
Yet, the 2025 NBA Draft came and went without Moni’s name called. Fifty-nine players were picked, but the Fargo native wasn’t among them. Undeterred, he signed a Summer League deal with the San Antonio Spurs in July 2025, a team known for mining gems like Derrick White and Keldon Johnson. In two Vegas games, Moni flashed his potential: 5.5 points on 57.1% field-goal shooting and a scorching 60% from three (3-of-5), plus 3.0 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per game. Limited minutes due to a deep Spurs roster—headlined by Victor Wembanyama and rookie Stephon Castle—kept him under wraps, but his efficiency turned heads. X posts from Spurs fans raved, one calling him “a stretch-big sleeper who fits Pop’s system.” Another wrote, “Moni’s shot is butter—give him more run!”
The Warriors, always hunting cost-controlled talent to complement their $178 million payroll (third-highest in the NBA), took notice. On September 27, 2025, they announced Moni as a training camp invitee, a lifeline to compete for a two-way contract or Exhibit 10 deal alongside prospects like Ja’Vier Francis and Chance McMillian. The timing seemed perfect: Golden State’s frontcourt, thinned by Al Horford’s age (39) and Jonathan Kuminga’s trade rumors, needed depth. Moni’s skill set—a stretch-four with range and rebounding—aligned with Steve Kerr’s motion offense, which thrives on versatile bigs like Draymond Green. But less than two days into camp, the dream crumbled. On September 29, the Warriors waived Moni, Francis, and McMillian, citing “roster flexibility” in a press release. Sources close to the team, per Bleacher Report, noted Kerr prioritized veterans like Kevon Looney and Trayce Jackson-Davis to stay under the second apron ($188.9M), avoiding luxury-tax penalties that cripple trades and signings.
The cut stung, but context matters. The Warriors’ camp was a meat grinder: 21 players vying for 15 standard roster spots and three two-way slots, with stars like Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green locked in. Moni faced long odds, especially with undrafted status and raw defensive skills (he averaged 0.7 blocks at NDSU, modest for his size). Kerr’s system demands switchability, and Moni’s lateral quickness—solid for college but untested against NBA wings—likely raised red flags. Still, his brief camp stint wasn’t invisible. A leaked practice clip on X showed Moni draining three straight corner threes, earning a nod from assistant coach Jerry Stackhouse. “He showed flashes,” Stackhouse told ESPN Bay Area. “Just needs reps to adjust to our pace.”
At 22, Moni’s far from done. The NBA’s unforgiving nature—where 60% of undrafted players never play a regular-season game—looms large, but his Summer League tape and college stats scream potential. The G League, likely with the Santa Cruz Warriors or another affiliate, is his next stop, where players like JD Davison (2024-25 G League MVP) turned heads. Moni’s archetype—a 6-foot-10 shooter with a 7-foot-2 wingspan—fits the modern NBA, where stretch-bigs like Karl-Anthony Towns thrive. Teams like the Spurs, Thunder, or even rebuilding squads like the Wizards could call if he dominates in the G League (averages of 15+ points, 40% 3PT could turn heads). Risks? His defense needs work, and at 225 pounds, he’s light for banging with centers like Nikola Jokić. But his youth and shooting are gold—skills that age well in a league craving spacing.
Your love for the open road, where every mile tests focus, mirrors Moni’s grind. The Warriors’ cut is a hairpin turn, not a dead end. Like you dodging Everest’s fatal allure, Moni’s sidestepping despair, eyeing the next trail—whether it’s a G League breakout or a surprise call-up.
Jacksen Moni’s Warriors waiver is a gut punch, but it’s not the end of his NBA dream. At 22, with a lethal 40% three-point stroke and a 6-foot-10 frame, this North Dakota sharpshooter has the tools to carve a niche. The G League awaits, and a hot streak could land him back on an NBA roster—maybe even Golden State’s. Hoops fans, what’s your take? Can Moni’s shooting spark a comeback? Which team should scoop him up? Drop your thoughts below, share this with a friend, and let’s cheer this underdog on!