The road to an NBA career as an undrafted player is narrow and paved with potholes, but there is a path. Just ask Rockets guard Fred VanVleet, a former All-Star and NBA champion with the Raptors who went unselected out of Wichita State in 2016.
VanVleet is a prominent, active example of how someone overlooked during the draft can grind their way to a career in the league. Earning a guaranteed NBA contract as an undrafted free agent typically requires spending time in the G League and some lucky breaks.
Few make it, and those who don't often wind up making a living playing overseas. But there is a path, and for many of those who went undrafted this year, it will begin in the NBA Summer League. Within minutes of the 2024 NBA Draft's conclusion on Thursday, reports began surfacing of undrafted free agents signing deals with teams.
Will there be a VanVleet in the bunch? Time will tell. But for now, here is the rundown of the prominent players who found landing spots on draft night. Many of them were college stars that will be out to prove they have the game to stick in the NBA.
Here are some prominent undrafted players who have landed deals with NBA teams:
Alex Ducas | Saint Mary's | Two-way | Source | |
Branden Carlson | Utah | Toronto Raptors | Two-way | Source |
Daniss Jenkins | St. John's | Two-way | Source | |
Jalen Bridges | Baylor | Two-way | Source | |
Isaac Jones | Washington State | Two-way | Source | |
PJ Hall | Clemson | Two-way | Source | |
Blake Hinson | Pitt | Two-way | Source | |
Reece Beekman | Virginia | Two-way | Source | |
Isaiah Crawford | Louisiana Tech | Sacramento Kings | Two-way | Source |
Justin Edwards | Kentucky | Two-way | Source | |
Keshad Johnson | San Diego State | Two-way | Source | |
N'Faly Dante | Oregon | Houston Rockets | Two-way | Source |
David Jones | Memphis | Philadelphia 76ers | Two-way | Source |
Zyon Pullin | Florida | Miami Heat | Two-way | Source |
Trey Alexander | Creighton | Denver Nuggets | Two-way | Source |
Armando Bacot | North Carolina | Exhibit 10 | Source | |
Boo Buie | Northwestern | Phoenix Suns | Exhibit 10 | Source |
Malevy Leons | Bradley | Oklahoma City Thunder | Exhibit 10 | Source |
Marcus Domask | Illinois | Exhibit 10 | Source | |
Quincy Olivari | Xavier | Los Angeles Lakers | Exhibit 10 | Source |
Sean East | Missouri | Los Angeles Lakers | Exhibit 10 | Source |
Tristan Enaruna | Cleveland State | Exhibit 10 | Source | |
Quincy Guerrier | Illinois | Toronto Raptors | Exhibit 10 | Source |
Auburn | Denver Nuggets | Exhibit 10 | Source | |
Tyrese Samuels | Florida | Phoenix Suns | Exhibit 10 | Source |
Max Fiedler | Rice | Philadelphia 76ers | Exhibit 10 | Source |
DJ Burns | NC State | Summer League | Source | |
Jamison Battle | Ohio State | Toronto Raptors | Summer League | Source |
Boogie Ellis | USC | Sacramento Kings | Summer League | Source |
| Isaiah Stevens | Colorado State | Miami Heat | Summer League | Source |
| Max Abmas | Texas | Utah Jazz | Summer League | Source |
| Lance Jones | Purdue | Indiana Pacers | Summer League | Source |
