Draft Combine Basketball

Allonzo Trier is No. 27 on the all-time Arizona scoring list, but executives didn't view him as a viable option in the NBA Draft.

Allonzo Trier's agent, James Dunleavy, confirmed to the Star on Friday that Trier has signed a two-way contract with the New York Knicks.

The two-way deal means Trier can earn between $75,000 and $275,000 next season depending on how many days he spends in the NBA.

Arizona's Kadeem Allen and Kobi Simmons both signed two-way deals last season and both appeared with their NBA teams: Simmons for 32 games with the Grizzlies and Allen for 18 (including one start) with the Celtics.


Despite being passed over in Thursday's NBA Draft, Arizona's Rawle Alkins immediately began looking ahead with confidence on Twitter.

Alkins may get a chance to start proving himself with the Toronto Raptors, according to SI's Jeremy Woo. Alkins has not responded to a text seeking comment and/or confirmation.Β 

It's possible Alkins is only agreeing to a training camp invite since a two-way deal puts a lot of leverage in the hands of the team.

Alkins was widely projected as a second-round pick, with some buzz building that he helped himself in the predraft process but that turned out to be false. Alkins billed himself as a jack-of-all-trades but the NBA often drafts players with special skills that distinguish themselves.

Although he notably ran over USC's Elijah Stewart in the Pac-12 Tournament, among other big plays, Alkins wasn't able to stand out much last season while missing 12 games with foot issues and being a third wheel behind Deandre Ayton and Allonzo Trier in the UA offense.

Alkins and Trier became the fourth and fifth players under coach Sean Miller to leave Arizona early and go undrafted, joining Brandon Ashley (2015) and Kobi Simmons last season.Β 

However, going undrafted hardly rules out an NBA future. Simmons signed a two-way contract with Memphis last season and wound up playing 32 games in the NBA with the Grizzlies, and the rest with their G League affiliate, where Comanche made the team.

Trier and his agent, James Dunleavy, have not been reachable for comment though there were reports late Thursday night that he reached a two-way deal with the Knicks.


Saw some people wondering on Twitter why UCLA's Thomas Welsh was drafted over Alkins and many others. One possible reason: Welsh is a 7-footer who proved last season he can also shoot 3-pointers. You don't see that size and skill very often.

(Welsh is also one of the nicest players I've ever come across in the Pac-12, and that's also valued in the NBA.)


Former one-and-done UA recruiting target Brandon McCoy joined Alkins and Trier in the undrafted pool.


Changes expected as a result of the Rice Commission appear to be coming to the summer recruiting circuit starting July 2019.

Β NBC Sports reported that the NABC is recommending the NCAA fund four regional camps that coaches are allowed to attend. They will not be allowed to attend the shoe-sponsored camps that currently dominate July.

Former UA great Damon Stoudamire, now the coach at Pacific, isn't a fan of the proposed changes.


Deandre Ayton is a 13/5 favorite to win the NBA's Rookie of the Year award next season, according to Bovada.

Luka Doncic is behind him at 3/1 and Marvin Bagley is listed at 9/2.

Others:

Trae Young 7/1

Jaren Jackson Jr 9/1

Mohamed Bamba 11/1

Kevin Knox 15/1

Michael Porter Jr 15/1

Mikal Bridges 22/1

Collin Sexton 22/1

Miles Bridges 28/1

Wendell Carter Jr 28/1

Donte DiVincenzo 40/1

Shai Gilgeous-Alexansder 40/1

Zhaire Smith 45/1

Lonnie Walker 50/1

Robert Williams 50/1


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