Funk visited farms he worked at in high school. He stops at his favorite restaurants. He\u2019s been catching up with family, friends and connections that were temporarily lost due to his professional endeavors. \u00a0<\/p>\n
All the intangibles that he missed dearly \u2014 for almost the last decade.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a good summer,\u201d Funk said. \u201cI needed it, for sure, while being able to stay focused. It\u2019s really been the best of both worlds.\u201d<\/p>\n
The second world, as imagined, has been in the gym, with a basketball in hand. Kuntzelman moved in with Funk this offseason. The pair are on the same schedule, an identical wavelength.<\/p>\n
Two years in the G League taught and tested the 2017 Barons alumnus. It\u2019s what prompted the recentering in Lancaster. A trip down memory lane, per se, with the basics of basketball.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore than ever, it\u2019s just been dialing in on the little details,\u201d Funk said. \u201cAnd that\u2019s been all summer. I was a free agent this year, so the uncertainty of where I was going just kind of gave me the ability to just lock in and worry about getting better, rather than having to worry about next year, because I didn\u2019t really know what was going on. I just left it all in my agent\u2019s hands.\u201d<\/p>\n
While his agent handled the business, Funk began getting his money\u2019s worth on the court. Described as fine-tuning the \u201cboring things,\u201d the former Saint Jo<\/a>seph’s\u00a0and Utah State standout<\/a> allots two hours of yoga, stretching and ankle and calf workouts before he touches the rock. Once on the floor, a focus on athleticism, muscle use and speed emerges.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the end of the year, my agent and I had a good conversation,\u201d Funk said. \u201cHe was like, \u2018You need kind of that second level of scoring. Your shot\u2019s there and your IQ\u2019s not going away, but we need to add a little more paint scoring.\u2019 And it’s kind of been the goal this summer. It’s how can I get to that second level of putting the ball in the hoop.\u201d<\/p>\n Funk can be found at Spooky Nook, bodying players in drills several days a week. The opponent is often fleet of foot, in hopes of elevating his defensive acumen and lateral quickness.<\/p>\n The matchups mimic pickup games. Funk is participating in more than he can count.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s people I hate to play against,\u201d Funk said with a laugh, \u201cbut I just know it’s exactly what I needed.\u201d<\/p>\n The uptick in training also stems from the constant competition of the G League. With NBA squads sending players down for assignment and two-way contracts cutting into everyday-player time, Funk is clawing for minutes against his rostermates.<\/p>\n In the 2023-24 season, Funk appeared in 34 games and started 25. Last winter, he was limited to five starts in his 30 games. He maximized his minutes, averaging 11.1 points per contest while corralling 3.8 rebounds and distributing 2.2 assists.<\/p>\n \u201cYou learn a lot about yourself in an emotional way,\u201d Funk said, \u201cbecause the two-ways come down, but roster guys don’t really play too much. \u2026 So you really have to learn to get out of your own way.\u201d<\/p>\n Funk hasn\u2019t signed a contract as of Sunday, but he\u2019s drawn interest from the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns\u2019 G League affiliates, the San Diego Clippers and Valley Suns. Los Angeles has extended a training-camp invitation.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the most important part is figuring out what your role is, what you\u2019re supposed to do on that court,\u201d Funk said. \u201cBecause this game is like chess or a puzzle. Everyone has a piece, and you really gotta own your skill and figure out what that is. I think a lot of people, they kind of just want to do it all. And you can’t have five guys out there doing it all.\u201d<\/p>\n As Funk awaits his next calling, he\u2019ll continue to align the pieces of the puzzle, make his next move on the proverbial chess board.<\/p>\n He feels recentered. He\u2019s exhaled. He\u2019s found his sanctuary, his temple.<\/p>\n All at home.<\/p>\n \u201cI love Lancaster,\u201d Funk said.<\/p>\n