The Pacers have signed rookie big man Ike Anigbogu to his first NBA contract, the team announced today in a press release. Anigbogu first broke the news himself, posting a photo on Instagram that showed him putting pen to paper and confirming that he had “made it official.”
[RELATED: 2017 NBA Draft Pick Signings]
Anigbogu, 18, entered the draft this spring after just one season at UCLA. Many draft experts are high on the young center’s potential, with Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress ranking him 15th on his big board.
However, Anigbogu didn’t play much during his lone season with the Bruins (4.7 PPG and 4.0 RPG in 13.0 MPG) and is viewed as a very raw prospect. Health concerns also surround Anigbogu, with questions about his knee likely contributing to his fall on draft night. The Pacers ultimately selected the rookie with the 47th overall pick in the draft.
Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, but Indiana has the cap room necessary to sign Anigbogu to a deal longer than two years and worth more than the minimum, if the team so chooses. For comparison’s sake, the Pacers’ second-round pick in 2016 – Georges Niang – received a three-year contract worth slightly more than the minimum — it was fully guaranteed for one year with a small partial guarantee in year two. Niang was the 50th overall pick.
Keep an eye out for this guy!