“Was this an upset?” Towns asked. “I thought we wanted to win. We had great things in the second half, that’s what brought us the victory. We did a great job as a team, everybody down the line was amazing.”

As the only 2-0 team in Group A and one game left against Angola, the Dominican Republic is in excellent position to move past pool play. Towns may be the most recognizable player, but he’s not the team’s only weapon. Andres Feliz also scored 24 points, including seven three-pointers, while Jean Montero contributed 12 points, nine assists, six rebounds and three steals.

Italy is now in the unexpected position of having to defeat the host Philippines on Tuesday just to advance.

There’s more from the World Cup:

• Germany got past Australia without Magic forward Franz Wagner, who sat out the game with a “slight sprained ankle,” per Olgun Uluc of ESPN. Wagner is considered day-to-day, but the Germans opted to rest him against their toughest opponent in Group E.
• Canada enjoyed a record-setting day in its 55-point victory over Lebanon. Its 128 points were the most ever for a Canadian team, and its 43 assists set a record for a World Cup game, tweets Blake Murphy of Sportsnet. Canada was able to rest Thunder wing Luguentz Dort, who is dealing with a minor injury, as nine players scored in double figures, adds Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports (Twitter link).
• Team USA has a roster filled with talented scorers, so it’s hard for everyone to get the opportunities they’re accustomed to, notes Joe Vardon of The Athletic. The most glaring example so far is Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, who was limited to four shots and two points in 15 minutes in the opening game against New Zealand. “This is totally different than what I am used to,” Ingram said. “The team is winning right now, so I can’t be selfish thinking about myself.  But it’s a little frustrating right now for me, and I’m just trying to figure out ways I can be effective.”

Evans, 33, was dismissed and disqualified from the NBA in May 2019 for violating the league’s anti-drug program. He was reinstated in February 2022 and subsequently tried out for several teams — and briefly played for the Bucks’ G League affiliate — but has been unable to find another NBA opportunity.

The fourth overall pick of the 2009 draft, Evans was named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year in 2009/10 after averaging 20.1 points, 5.8 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 72 games with the Kings. Unfortunately, he was never quite able to match that debut, but he still played 594 regular season games over 10 seasons with Sacramento, New Orleans, Memphis and Indiana.

We’ll have to wait and see whether Evans catches on with a European team for the 2023/24 season.

Here are a few more international notes:

• Guard Jean Montero, who hails from the Dominican Republic and is representing his country in the upcoming World Cup, is reportedly nearing a deal with Turkey’s Anadolu Efes, reports David Rodriguez of Spanish outlet La Provincia (hat tip to Eurohoops). Montero was one of the top undrafted players in 2022, and part of the reason his Exhibit 10 contract with the Knicks never materialized is because he had a significant buyout clause with Spain’s Gran Carania. According to Rodriguez, Efes is willing to pay Montero’s buyout – worth 500K Euros – in order to sign the 20-year-old.
• Sergei Babkov, who won two World Cup silver medals with Russia in the 1990s and had a lengthy international career, has passed away at age 56, as Eurohoops relays.
• In an interesting story for HoopsHype, Jake Uitti details how the NBA became such a popular game around the globe, with top international players dominating the league in recent years and the percentage of international players continuing to grow over time.

Making those moves on Saturday will ensure the players on non-guaranteed contracts clear waivers on Monday, before the regular season begins. If a team had waited until Monday to waive a player on a non-guaranteed deal, he wouldn’t clear waivers until Wednesday, and the team would be on the hook for two days’ worth of his salary.

After yesterday’s flurry of roster moves, here’s where things stand around the NBA…

Teams whose rosters are within the regular season limits

Of the NBA’s 30 teams, 26 have rosters that comply with the league’s regular season roster limits, which state that clubs can’t carry more than 15 players on standard contracts or two on two-way contracts.

The following 16 teams are right at the limit, carrying 15 players on standard contracts and a pair on two-ways:

• Boston Celtics
• Brooklyn Nets
• Chicago Bulls
• Denver Nuggets
• Indiana Pacers
• Los Angeles Lakers
• Memphis Grizzlies
• Milwaukee Bucks
• Minnesota Timberwolves
• New York Knicks
• Orlando Magic
• Philadelphia 76ers
• Sacramento Kings
• Toronto Raptors
• Utah Jazz
• Washington Wizards

Just because these rosters look ready for the regular season doesn’t mean they’re fully locked in. In fact, it would be a surprise if at least one or two of these teams don’t make minor tweaks before Monday’s regular season roster deadline. That could be as simple as swapping out one two-way player for another.

The Sixers are one team to watch, since Michael Foster Jr. – who is on an Exhibit 10 contract – remains on the roster. It’s possible Philadelphia intends to convert him to a two-way deal on Sunday or Monday, which would mean the club would have to waive one of its current two-way players (Charlie Brown Jr. or Julian Champagnie).

The following seven teams are carrying 14 players on standard contracts and two on two-ways:

• Atlanta Hawks
• Charlotte Hornets
• Dallas Mavericks
• Golden State Warriors
• Los Angeles Clippers
• Miami Heat
• Phoenix Suns

The majority of these teams have luxury tax concerns and will open the season with an open roster spot to keep their projected tax bill in check, though that’s not the case for all of them.

The Hornets are well clear of the tax, for instance, and could comfortably make a roster addition if they want to. They may also be leaving a spot open for Miles Bridges, though his NBA future is up in the air due to his legal situation.The Mavericks, meanwhile, are in the tax but are still expected to sign veteran guard Facundo Campazzo before the regular season begins.

We’ve covered 23 teams so far. That leaves three more who are in within the regular season limits. Those teams are as follows:

• Cleveland Cavaliers: 14 players on standard contracts and one on a two-way deal.
• New Orleans Pelicans: 15 players on standard contracts and one on a two-way deal.
• Portland Trail Blazers: 14 players on standard contracts and one on a two-way deal.

The Trail Blazers are right up against the tax line and will likely keep their 15th spot open to start the season, but the Cavaliers could add a 15th man if they so choose. All three teams could be keeping an eye on players who were waived in recent days as they mull how to fill their open two-way slots.

It’s worth mentioning that the Pelicans still haven’t signed second-round pick E.J. Liddell, who suffered a torn ACL during Summer League play. I suspect New Orleans wants Liddell to sign a G League contract and rehab with the Birmingham Squadron this season so that the team can use its second two-way slot on someone who can actually contribute on the court, but it remains possible that Liddell could fill that two-way opening.

Teams that still have moves to make before Monday’s deadline

The following teams haven’t yet made their necessary cuts to get within the regular season roster limits:

Detroit Pistons: 16 players on standard contracts and two on two-way deals.

The final cut will be pretty simple for the Pistons. They still haven’t officially waived Kemba Walker, but they’re expected to do so before the start of the season. Because Walker’s salary is fully guaranteed, Detroit can afford to wait until Monday instead of waiving him on Saturday, since there will be no additional financial penalty.

Houston Rockets: 17 players on standard contracts and one on a two-way deal.

The Rockets‘ final moves also looks pretty straightforward. Derrick Favors, who has a guaranteed salary, and Darius Days, who is on an Exhibit 10 contract, remain on the team’s roster for now. Favors will reportedly be waived on or before Monday. The deadline to convert players from Exhibit 10 deals to two-way contracts is Monday, so if Houston converts Days to a two-way today or tomorrow, the club will be set for the season.

Oklahoma City Thunder: 17 players on standard contracts and two on two-way deals.

The Thunder will actually have to waive three players, not just two, because they’re also reportedly signing Isaiah Joe to their 15-man roster. David Nwaba is reportedly one of the players being cut, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the other two are also players the Thunder acquired from Houston last month: Trey Burke and Marquese Chriss.

San Antonio Spurs: 16 players on standard contracts and two on two-way deals.

The Spurs will have to waive one player to get to the 15-man limit. Keita Bates-Diop and Tre Jones don’t have fully guaranteed salaries, but the fact that San Antonio didn’t finalize its cuts on Saturday suggests that a player with a guaranteed contract will be the odd man out. Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News reported on Saturday that Joe Wieskamp and Romeo Langford are “on the bubble.”

Reported Exhibit 10 signings that never materialized

There are a handful of free agent contract agreements that were reported at some point during the offseason and, as far as we can tell, never actually materialized. Those agreements are as follows:

• Indiana Pacers: Fanbo Zeng (story)
• Memphis Grizzlies: Keve Aluma (story)
• New York Knicks: Jean Montero (story)
• Utah Jazz: Kofi Cockburn (story)

These players and teams could still technically finalize these deals on Sunday or Monday, but it’s also very possible they simply fell through for one reason or another. For instance, reporting in September indicated that Montero’s buyout from his Spanish team might be an issue.

We’re no longer assuming that these signings going to happen.

Hoops Rumors’ roster resources

We consistently maintain and update a number of lists and trackers that are designed to help you keep tabs on NBA rosters. They’re all up to date following Saturday’s cuts. Those resources, which can be found on the right-hand sidebar of our desktop site or on the “Features” page within our mobile menu, include the following:

• 2022/23 NBA Roster Counts
• 2022/23 Non-Guaranteed Contracts By Team
• 2022/23 Two-Way Contract Tracker
• 2022 NBA Free Agent Tracker: This tracker will no longer be updated once the regular season begins, but includes every offseason free agent signing, including all the players who were signed-and-waived in recent days.
• 2023 NBA Free Agents By Position/Type
• 2023 NBA Free Agents By Team

“I’ve never felt pressure, ever,” Thibodeau said. “See, when you put everything you have into your job, that’s all you can do. So I’ve never felt pressure. Others can say this, that. That ain’t happening here. Just get ready. I’ve been at this a long time. I approach it the same way. I put everything I have into each and every day. I’m willing to live with that result. There’s no one — no one — who studies this team harder than I do.”

Thibodeau has some financial security, having signed a five-year contract in 2020.

We have more on the Knicks:

• While most teams entered training camp with a full 20-man roster, the Knicks are one player shy of the maximum. According to Ian Begley of SNY TV (Twitter link), the possible reason is that they are hoping to reduce guard Jean Montero’s buyout with overseas club Gran Canaria. Montero impressed the Knicks, among others, during Summer League games. The Knicks reportedly agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with Montero in June.
• The team officially announced its coaching staff for this season, Begley tweets, including the additions of Rick Brunson and Othella Harrington. Johnnie Bryant is the associate head coach.
• Regarding Rick Brunson, father of free agent signee Jalen Brunson, the team has declined to comment on whether there was an internal investigation regarding allegations of misconduct that led to his resignation from the Timberwolves staff in 2018. Thibodeau was somewhat vague when asked about the elder Brunson, according to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski and Fred Katz. “I’m not sure exactly of everything that was done, but I know whenever they hire anyone, they’re going to vet them,” he said, adding “I feel strongly about him.”

“I love when big crowds are out, when all the cameras are out, that’s when I play my best,” he said. “So, I’m looking forward to it and it’s going to be fun.”

Orlando begins Summer League play tonight.

We have more from the Eastern Conference:

• Bobby Portis has inked his four-year, $48.58MM contract with the Bucks but he’s not in a celebratory mood, Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes. Portis says it just motivates him to keep working. “I’m glad that the Bucks chose to bring me back and we met at terms and this and that, but I’ll always feel like I’ve got something to prove,” he said. “Obviously I’m happy that I got a chance to build generational wealth for my family, but still a lot of work left to do and there’s not time or need to celebrate. I work hard, I work on my game.”
• The Wizards still have some holes to fill at point guard and center, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington notes. However, guards Kris Dunn and Pierria Henry and big man Jaime Echenique, who are Summer League team members, could force their way into the mix. There’s a good chance the roster they currently have is essentially the one they will go with when the season opens, Hughes adds.
• There are a number of under-the-radar players on the Knicks’ Summer League roster who could catch someone’s attention, Zach Braziller of the New York Post writes. Braziller provides details on seven of those players, including guard Jean Montero and forward Feron Hunt.

An Exhibit 10 deal is a one-year, minimum-salary contract that counts toward a team’s 20-man offseason roster limit, but doesn’t count against the cap unless the player makes the regular season roster. Although it’s not guaranteed, a player on an Exhibit 10 contract can earn a bonus of up to $50K if he’s waived and then joins his team’s G League affiliate.

Montero, who will turn 19 in July, began his professional career with Gran Canaria in Spain and played for the new Overtime Elite program in 2021/22. The Dominican combo guard is considered a talented scorer and has also exhibited creativity as a passer, according to Givony, who writes in his scouting report that the youngster’s inconsistent defense is a concern.

Montero was the No. 4 prospect on ESPN’s list of players who went undrafted on Thursday night.

Utah is casting an extremely wide net as they seek a replacement for Quin Snyder. As our head coaching search tracker shows, Sam Cassell became the 15th candidate linked to the Jazz after it was reported that he’ll interview for the vacancy.

Here’s more from the Northwest:

• The Trail Blazers are hosting a pre-draft workout with six prospects on Wednesday, including a couple of potential lottery picks, tweets Aaron J. Fentress of The Oregonian. Shaedon Sharpe, the No. 7 prospect on ESPN’s big board, headlines the group, followed by Jeremy Sochan (No. 15), Dalen Terry (No. 25), John Butler (No. 67), Jamaree Bouyea (No. 79) and Jordan Hall (No. 87). Portland holds the Nos. 7, 36 and 59 picks in the draft.
• The Timberwolves are also hosting workout of draft-eligible players on Wednesday, according to Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News (Twitter link). The group features multiple potential second-round picks, including Hugo Besson (No. 41 on ESPN’s board), Michael Foster Jr. (No. 49), Jean Montero (No. 52) and Gabe Brown (No. 78). It also includes Nysier Brooks, who is unranked, and David Roddy (No. 30), as Wolfson previously reported. The Wolves hold the Nos. 19, 40, 48 and 50 picks, but aren’t expected to have four rookies on the roster next season.
• Peyton Watson (No. 34) headlines a group of six prospects working out for the Nuggets on Thursday, as Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports relays (via Twitter). The other five players are Florida’s Anthony Duruji, UNLV’s Bryce Hamilton, Flagler’s Jaizec Lottie, Marquette’s Darryl Morsell and Buffalo’s Ronaldo Segu, all of whom project to go undrafted and are unranked on ESPN’s board. After reaching an agreement to trade JaMychal Green to the Thunder, Denver now controls the Nos. 21 and 30 picks in the 2022 draft.

Jones opines that rim-rolling Hawks center Clint Capela has been a great fit with Atlanta. While he may not be at the level of Gobert as an all-around player, he is on a considerably more team-friendly contract. Kirschner notes that Gobert, a four-time All-NBA honoree and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, would be an obvious improvement at the position, and could help a defensively-challenged Hawks club upgrade on that end overall.

The duo discusses their hypothetical framework for a trade package. Multiple deals are posited that include Capela, draft compensation, and either guard Bogdan Bogdanovic or promising young forward De’Andre Hunter. On the Hawks side, Danilo Gallinari and John Collins are also considered as potential alternate trade candidates.

There’s more out of the Northwest Division:

• Jazz head coach Quin Snyder kicked off a potential summer of upheaval for Utah when he opted to leave the club he had coached for eight seasons earlier this week. Eric Walden and Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune take a deep dive into Snyder’s departure. Snyder – who oversaw a lot of the team’s development during his tenure, including the design of their practice facility – made a list of pros and cons before ultimately deciding to depart.
• After struggling defensively this season, the Nuggets may target players to help shore up their perimeter defense in the draft. Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports identifies seven wing prospects for Denver in the 2022 draft. Mike Singer of the Denver Post also explores five point guard prospects the Nuggets may consider as options behind current reserve point guard Monte Morris, including Kentucky guard TyTy Washington Jr., Overtime Elite guard Jean Montero, and Gonzaga guard Andrew Nembhard.
• 6’10” wing prospect Nikola Jovic, currently with KK Mega Basket, could be available for the Nuggets when they make their selection in the 2022 draft with the No. 21 pick. After undergoing a Friday workout with Denver, the 19-year-old Serbian NBA prospect discussed the session with the Nuggets and the impact of Denver’s reigning two-time MVP, Serbian legend Nikola Jokic, per Kyle Fredrickson of the Denver Post. “I showed a little bit of everything,” Jovic said. “A little bit of my shot. A little bit of my passing skills. Guard skills. Low-post skills,” Jovic said. “I see myself as a guy who always knows what the coach wants me to do on the court.” Jovic also spoke about Jokic’s impact in their homeland: “For (Jokic) to be the two-time MVP, all the kids now, everybody wants to play basketball. Everyone is up late to watch him.” 

Ohio State’s Malaki Branham, another draft riser, goes to Oklahoma City at No. 12. The mock has three Duke players going in the lottery, which has been pretty common lately. A fourth, Trevor Keels, is the final pick of the first round, and a fifth, Wendell Moore Jr., is at No. 37.

Michigan’s Caleb Houstan, who is rumored to have received a first-round promise, goes to Memphis at No. 29.

Here are a few more draft-related notes:

• Wisconsin’s Johnny Davis has been projected to go to the Wizards at No. 10 in several recent mock drafts, including BasketballNews’, and he had a solo workout in front of all of Washington’s major decision-makers on Thursday. He told Josh Robbins of The Athletic that he thinks he’d be a good fit with the Wizards. “Especially with the projections and all that right now, I feel like this is a spot I could land at and be able to come in and make an impact right away,” Davis said. “I just wanted to be able to show the whole front office and the coaches that I can hoop.” Davis also told Robbins that he has workouts next week with the Pistons (No. 5) and the Spurs (No. 9).
• Overtime Elite guard Jean Montero, who recently worked out for the Hornets and Wizards, has upcoming workouts with the Cavaliers, Hawks, Timberwolves, Grizzlies, and Bulls, Robbins tweets. Montero is a projected second-round pick, and all of those teams except Chicago currently control at least one second-rounder.
• The NCAA’s withdrawal deadline passed on June 1, so Rafael Barlowe of NBA Big Board updated all of his projected second-round picks following last-minute decisions from several prospects.

We have more developments from the Southeast Division:

• The Hawks have been busy looking at prospects. They brought in Teddy Allen (New Mexico St), JD Davison (Alabama), Henri Drell (Windy City Bulls), Malik Osborne (Florida St.), Matteo Spagnolo (Vanoli Cremona, Italy) and Davion Warren (Texas Tech) on Thursday, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic tweets. The parade of draft prospects will continue on Friday, as they’ll look at Jimmy Boeheim (Syracuse), Christian Braun (Kansas), Eli Brooks (Michigan), R.J. Cole (UConn), Lester Quinones (Memphis) and Kai Sotto (Adelaide, Australia) on Friday, Kirschner adds in another tweet.
• The Wizards will also be evaluating six prospects on Friday, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington tweets. That group includes Alex Barcello (BYU), Josh Carlton (Houston), Makur Maker (Howard), Jean Montero (Overtime Elite), Charlie Moore (Miami, Fla.) and JD Notae (Arkansas).
• The Hornets hosted six prospects on Wednesday — Ochai Agbaji (Kansas), James Akinjo (Baylor), Luka Brajkovic (Davidson), Kofi Cockburn (Illinois), Trevor Keels (Duke) and Montero – the team’s PR department tweets. They brought in a handful of players on Thursday — Dhieu Deing (UTSA), Phlandrous Fleming Jr. (Florida), Both Gach (Utah), Jalen Johnson (Mercer) and Tommy Kuhse (Saint Mary’s), the team tweets. Villanova guard Collin Gillespie will be coming in soon, Josh Robbins of The Athletic tweets.

Prior to Davis’ audition, the Wizards will host a morning group workout that features Kofi Cockburn (Illinois), Collin Gillespie (Villanova), Quenton Jackson (Texas A&M), Keve Aluma (Virginia Tech), Justin Bean (Utah State), and Marcus Bingham (Michigan State), per Ava Wallace of The Washington Post (Twitter link).

Here’s more on the Wizards:

• In a discussion with Robbins about the Wizards’ possible offseason point guard targets, John Hollinger of The Athletic speculates that Ricky Rubio, Eric Bledsoe, and even John Wall could be among the players Washington shows interest in, assuming Bledsoe and Wall reach free agency. Hollinger also identifies Malcolm Brogdon and Mike Conley as viable options on the trade market, and suggests Tyus Jones would be an ideal fit if he were willing to accept the full mid-level exception.
• In the same Athletic story, Robbins and Hollinger consider potential targets for the Wizards with the No. 10 pick. G League Ignite guard Dyson Daniels should get serious consideration if he’s still available, according to Hollinger, who also identifies Jeremy Sochan and AJ Griffin as logical fits on the wing.
• Maryland guard Eric Ayala, Florida forward Anthony Duruji, Richmond forward Grant Golden, Utah State forward Brandon Horvath, Marquette guard Darryl Morsell, and George Mason swingman D’Shawn Schwartz participated in a pre-draft group workout for the Wizards on Wednesday, according to Robbins (Twitter link).
• Overtime Elite point guard Jean Montero is among the other prospects expected to work out for the Wizards this week, tweets Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington.

Over the course of the week, players will conduct interviews with NBA teams, participate in five-on-five games, and go through shooting, strength and agility drills.

While several of the prominent names at the top of the draft likely won’t participate in scrimmages, those top prospects are still expected to attend. That group includes Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith, Paolo Banchero, and Jaden Ivey.

A handful of standout players from the G League Elite Camp could be invited to participate in the combine as well.

Here’s the full list of 76 names announced by the NBA today, in alphabetical order, per Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link):

1. Ochai Agbaji, G/F, Kansas (senior)
2. Patrick Baldwin Jr., F, Milwaukee (freshman)
3. Paolo Banchero, F, Duke (freshman)
4. Dominick Barlow, F, Overtime Elite (auto-eligible)
5. MarJon Beauchamp, G/F, G League Ignite (auto-eligible)
6. Hugo Besson, G, Australia (born 2001)
7. Malaki Branham, G/F, Ohio State (freshman)
8. Christian Braun, G, Kansas (junior)
9. Kendall Brown, F, Baylor (freshman)
10. John Butler Jr., F/C, Florida State (freshman)
11. Julian Champagnie, G/F, St. John’s (junior)
12. Kennedy Chandler, G, Tennessee (freshman)
13. Max Christie, G, Michigan State (freshman)
14. Kofi Cockburn, C, Illinois (junior)
15. Dyson Daniels, G, G League Ignite (auto-eligible)
16. Johnny Davis, G, Wisconsin (sophomore)
17. JD Davison, G, Alabama (freshman)
18. Moussa Diabate, F, Michigan (freshman)
19. Ousmane Dieng, F, Australia (born 2003)
20. Khalifa Diop, C, Spain (born 2002)
21. Jalen Duren, C, Memphis (freshman)
22. Tari Eason, F, LSU (sophomore)
23. Keon Ellis, G, Alabama (senior)
24. Michael Foster, F, G League Ignite (auto-eligible)
25. Collin Gillespie, G, Villanova (super-senior)
26. AJ Griffin, F, Duke (freshman)
27. Jaden Hardy, G, G League Ignite (auto-eligible)
28. Ron Harper Jr., F, Rutgers (senior)
29. Chet Holmgren, C, Gonzaga (freshman)
30. Harrison Ingram, F, Stanford (freshman)
31. Jaden Ivey, G, Purdue (sophomore)
32. Trayce Jackson-Davis, F, Indiana (junior)
33. Nikola Jovic, F, Serbia (born 2003)
34. Johnny Juzang, G, UCLA (junior)
35. Ismael Kamagate, C, France (born 2001)
36. Trevor Keels, G, Duke (freshman)
37. Walker Kessler, F/C, Auburn (sophomore)
38. Christian Koloko, C, Arizona (junior)
39. Jake LaRavia, F, Wake Forest (junior)
40. Justin Lewis, F, Marquette (sophomore)
41. E.J. Liddell, F, Ohio State (junior)
42. Bennedict Mathurin, G/F, Arizona (sophomore)
43. Matthew Mayer, F, Baylor (senior)
44. Bryce McGowens, G, Nebraska (freshman)
45. Leonard Miller, F, Canada (born 2003)
46. Josh Minott, F, Memphis (freshman)
47. Aminu Mohammed, G/F, Georgetown (freshman)
48. Iverson Molinar, G, Mississippi State (junior)
49. Jean Montero, G, Overtime Elite (auto-eligible)
50. Wendell Moore, F, Duke (junior)
51. Keegan Murray, F, Iowa (sophomore)
52. Andrew Nembhard, G, Gonzaga
53. Scotty Pippen Jr., G, Vanderbilt (junior)
54. Gabriele Procida, G/F, Italy (born 2002)
55. Orlando Robinson, F/C, Fresno State (junior)
56. David Roddy, F, Colorado State (junior)
57. Ryan Rollins, G, Toledo (sophomore)
58. Dereon Seabron, G, NC State (sophomore)
59. Shaedon Sharpe, G, Kentucky (freshman)
60. Jabari Smith, F, Auburn (freshman)
61. Terquavion Smith, G, NC State (freshman)
62. Jeremy Sochan, F, Baylor (freshman)
63. Matteo Spagnolo, G, Italy (born 2003)
64. Julian Strawther, G/F, Gonzaga (sophomore)
65. Dalen Terry, G, Arizona (sophomore)
66. Drew Timme, F, Gonzaga (junior)
67. Jabari Walker, F, Colorado (sophomore)
68. TyTy Washington Jr., G, Kentucky (freshman)
69. Peyton Watson, G/F, UCLA (freshman)
70. Blake Wesley, G, Notre Dame (freshman)
71. Alondes Williams, G, Wake Forest (super-senior)
72. Jalen Williams, G, Santa Clara (junior)
73. Jaylin Williams, F/C, Arkansas (sophomore)
74. Mark Williams, C, Duke (sophomore)
75. Trevion Williams, F/C, Purdue (senior)
76. Fanbo Zeng, F, G League Ignite (auto-eligible)

Those are big numbers, but they fall well short of the 353 early entrants who initially declared for the draft a year ago. Beginning in 2021, the NCAA granted players an extra year of eligibility due to the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in seniors having to decide between staying at college for one more season or declaring for the draft as an “early” entrant.

That tweak to the NCAA’s eligibility rules has increased the number of total early entrants due to the influx of seniors into the pool. However, as Jonathan Givony of ESPN observes (via Twitter), the number of college non-seniors (123) on the initial early entry list this year is actually the lowest since 2016, while the number of international prospects (36) is the lowest since 2014.

This year’s total of 283 early entrants figures to shrink significantly by June 1 and again by June 13, the two deadlines for players to withdraw their names from the draft pool. But it still looks like the pool will remain extremely crowded, with the eventual number of early entrants certain to exceed 58, the number of picks in the draft.

Our tracker of early entrants for the 2022 draft is fully up to date and can be found right here.

Here are the changes we made to our tracker today:

Newly-added players:

College players:

These players either didn’t publicly announce that they were entering the draft or we simply missed it when they did.

• Max Abmas, G, Oral Roberts (junior)
• Tez Allen, G/F, Southern Oregon (senior)
• Avery Anderson III, G, Oklahoma State (junior)
• Eric Ayala, G, Maryland (senior)
• Marcus Azor, G, UMass Dartmouth (senior)
• Emmanuel Bandoumel, G, SMU (senior)
• Evan Battey, F, Colorado (senior)
• James Bishop, G, George Washington (junior)
• Henry Blair Jr., G, Bob Jones (SC) (junior)
• Buddy Boeheim, G, Syracuse (senior)
• Rasir Bolton, G, Gonzaga (senior)
• Mike Bothwell, G, Furman (senior)
• Jordan Brown, F, Louisiana (junior)
• John Butler Jr., F/C, Florida State (freshman)
• Jared Bynum, G, Providence (junior)
• Toumani Camara, F, Dayton (junior)
• Dylan Cardwell, C, Auburn (sophomore)
• Xavier Castaneda, G, Akron (senior)
• Dhieu Deing, G, UTSA (junior)
• Dylan Disu, F, Texas (junior)
• Boogie Ellis, G, USC (junior)
• BJ Fitzgerald, G, Virginia State (junior)
• Allen Flanigan, G/F, Auburn (junior)
• Joe French, G, Bethune-Cookman (sophomore)
• Jacob Grandison, G/F, Illinois (senior)
• Tykei Greene, G, Stony Brook (senior)
• Quincy Guerrier, F, Oregon (junior)
• Mouhamed Gueye, F/C, Washington State (freshman)
• D.J. Harvey, G/F, Detroit (senior)
• Jericole Hellems, F, North Carolina State (senior)
• Cedric Henderson Jr., G/F, Campbell (senior)
• D’Moi Hodge, G, Cleveland State (senior)
• Trevor Hudgins, G, Northwest Missouri State (senior)
• Bodie Hume, G/F, Northern Colorado (senior)
• Austin Hutcherson, G, Illinois (junior)
• Josiah-Jordan James, G/F, Tennessee (junior)
• Deante Johnson, F, Cleveland State (senior)
• Andrew Jones, G, Texas (senior)
• Noah Kirkwood, G, Harvard (senior)
• Hyunjung Lee, G/F, Davidson (junior)
• Kyle Lofton, G, St. Bonaventure (senior)
• Josh Mballa, F, Buffalo (senior)
• Trey McGowens, G, Nebraska (senior)
• Nathan Mensah, F/C, San Diego State (senior)
• Isaih Moore, F, Southern Mississippi (senior)
• Bryson Mozone, G/F, USC Upstate (senior)
• Grayson Murphy, G, Belmont (senior)
• Dwight Murray Jr., G, Rider (senior)
• Nick Muszynski, C, Belmont (senior)
• Ike Obiagu, C, Seton Hall (senior)
• Edward Oliver-Hampton, F, South Carolina State (senior)
• Shareef O’Neal, F, LSU (junior)
• Nick Ongenda, C, DePaul (junior)
• Malik Osborne, F, Florida State (senior)
• Osayi Osifo, F, Jacksonville (senior)
• Zyon Pullin, G, UC-Riverside (junior)
• Eric Reed Jr., G, Southeast Missouri State (senior)
• Will Richardson, G, Oregon (senior)
• Orlando Robinson, F/C, Fresno State (junior)
• KJ Simon, G, UT-Martin (junior)
• Jalen Slawson, F, Furman (senior)
• Jamari Smith, F, Queens University (NC) (junior)
• Amadou Sow, F, Santa Barbara (senior)
• Seth Stanley, F, Hendrix College (AR) (senior)
• Gabe Stefanini, G, San Francisco (senior)
• Sasha Stefanovic, G, Purdue (senior)
• AJ Taylor, F, Grambling (junior)
• Kerwin Walton, G, North Carolina (sophomore)
• Collin Welp, F, UC Irvine (senior)
• Aaron Wheeler, F, St. John’s (senior)
• Khristien White, G, Southwest Christian (senior)

International players:

These players weren’t previously mentioned on our list of international early entrants. The country listed here indicates where they last played, not necessarily where they were born.

• Ibou Badji, C, Spain (born 2002)
• Kay Bruhnke, G/F, Germany (born 2001)
• Tom Digbeu, G/F, Australia (born 2001)
• Fallou Gueye, G, Senegal (born 2003)
• Millan Jimenez, G/F, Spain (born 2002)
• Yannick Kraag, G/F, Spain (born 2002)
• Zsombor Maronka, F, Spain (born 2002)
• Mario Nakic, F, Spain (born 2001)
• Jaime Pradilla, F/C, Spain (born 2001)
• Pavel Savkov, G, Spain (born 2002)
• Luka Scuka, F, Slovenia (born 2002)
• Emil Stoilov, C, Spain (born 2002)
• Giorgos Tanoulis, F/C, Greece (born 2002)
• Luke Travers, G/F, Australia (born 2001)
• Nicolas Vanel, G, France (born 2003)

Other notable draft-eligible early entrants:

The NBA sent its teams a list of 33 “also-eligible” names. That list isn’t public, but Jonathan Givony of ESPN (Twitter link) shared some of the most notable players on it, and we’ve added them to our early entrant tracker. They are as follows:

1. Dominick Barlow, F, Overtime Elite
2. MarJon Beauchamp, G/F, G League Ignite
3. Dyson Daniels, G, G League Ignite
4. Henri Drell, G/F, Windy City Bulls
5. Michael Foster, F, G League Ignite
6. Jaden Hardy, G, G League Ignite
7. Makur Maker, C, Sydney Kings (formerly Howard Bison)
8. Jean Montero, G, Overtime Elite
9. Samson Ruzhentsev, G/F, Mega Basket (formerly Florida Gators)
10. Kai Sotto, C, Adelaide 36ers (formerly G League Ignite)
11. Zaire Wade, G, Salt Lake City Stars
12. Kok Yat, F, Overtime Elite
13. Fanbo Zeng, F, G League Ignite

Players removed:

Despite reports or announcements that the players below would declare for the draft, they didn’t show up on the NBA’s official list.

That could mean a number of things — they may have decided against entering the draft; they may have entered the draft, then withdrawn; they may have had no NCAA eligibility remaining, making them automatically draft-eligible; they may have incorrectly filed their paperwork; or the NBA may have accidentally omitted some names.

In any case, we’ve removed the following names from our early entrant list, at least for the time being.

• Joe Bryant, G, Norfolk State (senior)
• Keyshawn Bryant, F, South Carolina (senior)
• Ricky Council IV, G, Wichita State (sophomore)
• Devonaire Doutrive, G, Boise State (senior)
• Kevin Easley Jr., F, Duquesne (junior)
• Umoja Gibson, G, Oklahoma (senior)
• Jalen Hawkins, G, Norfolk State (senior)
• Makhel Mitchell, F/C, Rhode Island (sophomore)
• Makhi Mitchell, F/C, Rhode Island (sophomore)
• Lamar Norman, G, Western Michigan (junior)
• Chuba Ohams, F, Fordham (senior)
• Nana Opoku, F, Mount St. Mary’s (senior)
• Anthony Roberts, G, Stony Brook (junior)
• Nate Roberts, F/C, Washington (junior)
• Luis Rodriguez, G/F, Ole Miss (junior)
• Tariq Silver, G, Austin Peay (senior)
• Derek St. Hilaire, G, New Orleans (senior)
• John Walker III, F, Texas Southern (senior)
• Eric Williams Jr., G/F, Oregon (senior)

Finally, Givony reports (via Twitter) that Canadian forward Leonard Miller, from the Fort Erie International Academy has been asked to fill out additional paperwork to finalize his entrance into the draft pool. According to Givony, there’s an expectation that Miller will be added to the list, so we’ve left him listed in our early entrant tracker among the international players.

Scariolo coached Gasol on the Spanish national team and as an assistant in Toronto, so he has an existing relationship with the veteran center. However, Gasol – who was traded to Memphis and then waived in September – appears content to spend time with his family in Spain rather than joining another NBA or EuroLeague team anytime soon. There were rumors last month that Gasol would be playing for Girona, the Spanish club he owns, but that hasn’t come to fruition yet.

Here are more odds and ends from around the basketball world:

• Former Oregon forward Maarty Leunen, who spent the last 13 seasons playing overseas in various European leagues, has announced his retirement, as Emiliano Carchia of Sportando relays. Leunen was the 54th overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft and has had his rights traded four times since then – most recently to the Pacers in 2019 – but never signed an NBA contract.
• Former Washington Bullets general manager Bob Ferry, who ran the front office from 1973 to 1990, died at age 84 on Wednesday, per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. The father of Danny Ferry, Bob Ferry won two Executive of the Year awards and helped Washington win the only title in franchise history in 1978.
• Jeremy Woo of SI.com shares his impressions of the Overtime Elite’s Pro Day, including his thoughts on the program’s three most notable 2022 draft-eligible players: guard Jean Montero, wing Kok Yat, and forward Dominick Barlow.

As Givony explains, Montero – the No. 17 prospect on ESPN’s big board for the 2022 NBA draft – remains under contract with Gran Canaria, so he’ll be on loan from the Spanish team.

Montero, who debuted with the Dominican Republic’s senior national team last fall, played a little for Gran Canaria’s parent club in the EuroCup and ACB during the 2020/21 season. However, he saw more action for Gran Canaria II in Spain’s third division, averaging 18.0 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.4 APG, and 2.5 SPG in 24 games (29 MPG) for the team, per Givony.

In addition to being the first international prospect to commit to Overtime Elite, Montero is also the first non-twin to sign with the league. Previously, OTE secured commitments from two sets of twins — Matt and Ryan Bewley and Amen and Ausar Thompson.

We shared more details on the new Overtime Elite league in a pair of stories earlier this year.