Notable undrafted free agents eligible for 2021 G League Draft

Bryan Kalbrosky
·5 min read

The upcoming 2021 NBA G League season may give several players not selected in the recent NBA draft another opportunity in the pros.

The NBA G League is hosting a bubble tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sport Complex in Florida. Once teams are assembled, they will arrive to the location by January 26 for physicals and onboarding. The first game is set for February 8 and teams are expected to play a “12-to-15 game schedule” before their single-elimination playoffs from March 5-March 9.

While teams may have the majority of their roster spots ready to go, they’ll supplement final spaces with the G League Draft. The event is scheduled for Monday, January 11, at 1:15 PM EST.

Some of the players with the most professional experience: Emeka Okafor, Mario Chalmers, Michael Beasley, Lance Stephenson, Hollis Thompson, Terrence Jones, Quincy Pondexter, Shabazz Muhammad, Tyler Ulis, Festus Ezeli, Allonzo Trier, Antonio Blakeney.

Also among the eligible players for the upcoming 2021 NBA G League Draft are several of the notable undrafted players from the 2020 NBA draft.

Some of the top prospects who did not hear their name called on draft night were signed on two-way deals, which allow the player to be active for 50 of the 72 games for their franchise. Many others were invited to training camps to compete for roster spots via Exhibit-10 contracts.

Typically, players with that type of deal end up playing for the G League affiliate of the squad that signed them. This year, however, eleven of the teams around the league are not sending their affiliate to the bubble:

Atlanta Hawks (College Park Skyhawks)

Boston Celtics (Maine Red Claws)

Chicago Bulls (Windy City Bulls)

Dallas Mavericks (Texas Legends)

Detroit Pistons (Grand Rapids Drive)

Los Angeles Lakers (South Bay Lakers)

Miami Heat (Sioux Falls Skyforce)

Milwaukee Bucks(Wisconsin Herd)

Phoenix Suns (Northern Arizona Suns)

Sacramento Kings (Stockton Kings)

Washington Wizards (Capital City Go-Go; will utilize Erie)

That means, in addition to those who did not participate in an NBA training camp over the summer, any of the players who signed Exhibit-10 deals with these franchises are also sent into the draft pool for Monday.

While this draft will have three rounds, there will be a max of 26 players selected, though teams are not required to make a selection. All things considered, this is set to be an incredibly deep draft class on Monday.

Among the nearly 200 players who have NBA G League Standard Player Contracts but are not yet on a roster, here are some of the notable undrafted free agents who may have a chance to continue their professional journey:

Freddie Gillespie

Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

POSITION: Big AGE: 23 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Baylor PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT: Dallas Mavericks* (Exhibit 10)

Kristian Doolittle

Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

POSITION: Wing AGE: 23 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Oklahoma PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT: Vaqueros de Bayamon in Puerto Rico (mid-November until mid-December)

Anthony Lamb

BRIAN JENKINS/Burlington Free Press

POSITION: Forward AGE: 22 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Vermont PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT: Detroit Pistons* (Exhibit 10)

Anthony Cowan

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Guard, 6-foot, 23 years old POSITION: Guard AGE: 23 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Maryland

Quinton Rose

Mar 3, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Temple Owls guard Quinton Rose (1) dunks the ball during the second half against the Tulane Green Wave at Liacouras Center.
Mar 3, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Temple Owls guard Quinton Rose (1) dunks the ball during the second half against the Tulane Green Wave at Liacouras Center.

Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

POSITION: Wing AGE: 22 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Temple PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT: Sacramento Kings* (Exhibit 10)

De'Riante Jenkins

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1000"> Geoff Burke - USA TODAY Sports

POSITION: Guard AGE: 24 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: VCU

Eugene German

Dec 5, 2019; Moraga, CA, USA; Northern Illinois Huskies guard Eugene German (10) drives against St. Mary's Gaels forward/center Matthias Tass (11) during the second half at McKeon Pavilion.
Dec 5, 2019; Moraga, CA, USA; Northern Illinois Huskies guard Eugene German (10) drives against St. Mary's Gaels forward/center Matthias Tass (11) during the second half at McKeon Pavilion.

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

POSITION: Guard AGE: 23 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Northern Illinois

Zavier Simpson

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

POSITION: Guard AGE: 23 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Michigan PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT: Los Angeles Lakers* (Exhibit 10)

Nate Pierre-Louis

Feb 16, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Temple guard Nate Pierre-Louis (15) celebrates as the first half ends during the game against the Villanova Wildcats at Liacouras Center.
Feb 16, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Temple guard Nate Pierre-Louis (15) celebrates as the first half ends during the game against the Villanova Wildcats at Liacouras Center.

Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

POSITION: Guard AGE: 22 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Temple

Braxton Key

Michael Thomas Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports

POSITION: Wing AGE: 23 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Virginia

Nick Weatherspoon

Feb 15, 2020; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Nick Weatherspoon (0) dribbles during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena. Mandatory Credit:
Feb 15, 2020; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Nick Weatherspoon (0) dribbles during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena. Mandatory Credit:

Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

POSITION: Guard AGE: 22 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Mississippi State

Chris Clarke

Jan 14, 2020; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Chris Clarke (44) shoots a jumper over West Virginia Mountaineers forward Derek Culver (1) during the first half at WVU Coliseum.
Jan 14, 2020; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Chris Clarke (44) shoots a jumper over West Virginia Mountaineers forward Derek Culver (1) during the first half at WVU Coliseum.

Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

POSITION: Wing AGE: 25 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Texas Tech

Jimmy Whitt

Mar 4, 2020; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Jimmy Whitt Jr. (33) looks to pass during the game against the LSU Tigers at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 99-90. Mandatory Credit:
Mar 4, 2020; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Jimmy Whitt Jr. (33) looks to pass during the game against the LSU Tigers at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 99-90. Mandatory Credit:

Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

POSITION: Guard AGE: 24 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Arkansas

Terry Armstrong

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 05: Terry Armstrong of the Phoenix warms up prior to during the round 14 NBL match between the South East Melbourne Phoenix and the New Zealand Breakers at the State Basketball Centre on January 05, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 05: Terry Armstrong of the Phoenix warms up prior to during the round 14 NBL match between the South East Melbourne Phoenix and the New Zealand Breakers at the State Basketball Centre on January 05, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia.

(Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

POSITION: Wing AGE: 20 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: South East Melbourne (Australian NBL)

Anthony Mathis

Jan 23, 2020; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Anthony Mathis (32) passes the ball under the basket around USC Trojans forward Onyeka Okongwu (21) during the first half at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit:
Jan 23, 2020; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Anthony Mathis (32) passes the ball under the basket around USC Trojans forward Onyeka Okongwu (21) during the first half at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit:

Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

POSITION: Guard AGE: 24 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Oregon PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT: Charilaos Trikoupis Mesologiou in Greece (mid-October until early December)

Samir Doughty

Mar 7, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Auburn Tigers guard Samir Doughty (10) reacts to an officialÕs call during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit:
Mar 7, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Auburn Tigers guard Samir Doughty (10) reacts to an officialÕs call during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit:

Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

POSITION: Guard AGE: 24 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Auburn

Milan Acquaah

RENO, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 19: Milan Acquaah #0 of the California Baptist Lancers drives to the basket durign the second half against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Lawlor Events Center on November 19, 2018 in Reno, Nevada.
RENO, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 19: Milan Acquaah #0 of the California Baptist Lancers drives to the basket durign the second half against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Lawlor Events Center on November 19, 2018 in Reno, Nevada.

(Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images)

POSITION: Guard AGE: 23 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Cal Baptist

Lindsey Drew

© Tom R. Smedes/Special to RGJ, Reno Gazette Journal via Imagn Content Services, LLC

POSITION: Guard AGE: 23 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Nevada

Desure Buie

Dec 22, 2017; Hempstead, NY, USA; Hofstra Pride guard Desure Buie (4) looks to make a pass during the first half of the game between the Hofstra Pride and the Villanova Wildcats at Nassau Coliseum.
Dec 22, 2017; Hempstead, NY, USA; Hofstra Pride guard Desure Buie (4) looks to make a pass during the first half of the game between the Hofstra Pride and the Villanova Wildcats at Nassau Coliseum.

Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

POSITION: Guard AGE: 23 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Hofstra PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT: ZZ Leiden in Netherlands (October 2020)

Keith Braxton

DURHAM, NC - DECEMBER 05: Keith Braxton #13 of the St. Francis (Pa) Red Flash tries to throw the ball in against Gary Trent Jr #2 of the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 5, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina.
DURHAM, NC - DECEMBER 05: Keith Braxton #13 of the St. Francis (Pa) Red Flash tries to throw the ball in against Gary Trent Jr #2 of the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 5, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina.

(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

POSITION: Guard AGE: 23 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: St. Francis

Quincy McKnight

Mar 4, 2020; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Seton Hall Pirates guard Quincy McKnight (0) reacts after making a basket against the Villanova Wildcats during the first half at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit:
Mar 4, 2020; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Seton Hall Pirates guard Quincy McKnight (0) reacts after making a basket against the Villanova Wildcats during the first half at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit:

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

POSITION: Guard AGE: 25 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Seton Hall

Kevon Harris

Nov 26, 2019; Durham, NC, USA; Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks guard Kevon Harris (1) reacts after winning a game against the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Lumberjacks defeated Duke 85-83 in overtime. Mandatory Credit:
Nov 26, 2019; Durham, NC, USA; Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks guard Kevon Harris (1) reacts after winning a game against the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Lumberjacks defeated Duke 85-83 in overtime. Mandatory Credit:

Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

POSITION: Wing AGE: 23 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Stephen F. Austin PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT: Los Angeles Lakers* (Exhibit 10)

Brendan Bailey

Feb 29, 2020; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles forward Brendan Bailey (1) during the game against the Seton Hall Pirates at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit:
Feb 29, 2020; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles forward Brendan Bailey (1) during the game against the Seton Hall Pirates at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit:

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

POSITION: Wing AGE: 23 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Marquette

Sacar Anim

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

POSITION: Wing AGE: 23 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Marquette

Jibri Blount

Mar 16, 2019; Norfolk, VA, USA; North Carolina Central Eagles forward Jibri Blount (2) knocks the ball away from Norfolk State Spartans guard C.J. Kelly (15) during the first half in the MEAC Tournament Final at The Scope. Mandatory Credit:
Mar 16, 2019; Norfolk, VA, USA; North Carolina Central Eagles forward Jibri Blount (2) knocks the ball away from Norfolk State Spartans guard C.J. Kelly (15) during the first half in the MEAC Tournament Final at The Scope. Mandatory Credit:

Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

POSITION: Wing AGE: 24 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: North Carolina Central

Dylan Smith

Mar 5, 2020; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Dylan Smith (3) dribbles the ball against the Washington State Cougars in the second half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit:
Mar 5, 2020; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Dylan Smith (3) dribbles the ball against the Washington State Cougars in the second half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit:

Jacob Snow-USA TODAY Sports

POSITION: Guard AGE: 23 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Arizona

CJ Bryce

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - JANUARY 20: C.J. Bryce #13 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack shoots over Jay Huff #30 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on January 20, 2020 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - JANUARY 20: C.J. Bryce #13 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack shoots over Jay Huff #30 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on January 20, 2020 in Charlottesville, Virginia.

(Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)

POSITION: Guard AGE: 24 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: North Carolina State

Andre Wesson

Feb 12, 2020; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes forward Andre Wesson (24) drives against Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Akwasi Yeboah (1) during the first half at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit:
Feb 12, 2020; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes forward Andre Wesson (24) drives against Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Akwasi Yeboah (1) during the first half at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit:

Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

POSITION: Wing AGE: 27 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Ohio State

Isaiah Moss

Feb 12, 2020; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Isaiah Moss (4) shoots a three pointer during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit:
Feb 12, 2020; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Isaiah Moss (4) shoots a three pointer during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit:

Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

POSITION: Wing AGE: 24 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Kansas

Tarkus Ferguson

© Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC

POSITION: Guard AGE: 23 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Illinois-Chicago

Lamont West

© Andrew Jansen/News-Leader, Springfield News-Leader via Imagn Content Services, LLC

POSITION: Forward AGE: 23 PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Missouri State

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