Josiah-Jordan James to sign an Exhibit 10 contract with NBA team
Josiah-Jordan James has signed as an undrafted free agent with the Indiana Pacers. James signed an Exhibit 10 contract, giving him the chance to play in the NBA’s Summer League with an opportunity to earn a two-way contract.
Dalton Knecht was Tennessee Basketball’s lone pick in the NBA Draft, selected at No. 17 overall in the first round by the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday night.
James in 144 career games at Tennessee over the last five seasons averaged 8.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, shooting career-bests 40.2% from the field and 34.1% from the 3-point line. He made 123 starts, averaging 28.2 minutes per game.
After going undrafted, James was ranked 34th among available players according to ESPN. He was ranked No. 92 overall on ESPN’s list of the top 100 available players entering the draft.
‘He does play like an NBA player when he is being aggressive’
“James looks the part as a pro player,” ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo wrote, “and his ability to use his frame to slide between the forward spots defensively is appealing. On the offensive end, he’ll occasionally put it all together in impressive fashion — sometimes even in important games — but then disappear for weeks at a time.
“He doesn’t have a strong skill he can hang his hat on yet. It’s possible a change of scenery will do him some good, as he does play like an NBA player when he is being aggressive.”
Last season James averaged 8.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 steals in 29.2 minutes, starting all 36 games. He had a career year in 2021-22, averaging 10.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 29.0 minutes per game, shooting 48.3% from the field.
James signed with Tennessee as a five-star prospect according to select outlets in the 2019 class. The Charleston, S.C., native, picked the Vols over Duke, Clemson and Michigan State.
Eight players have been drafted during the Rick Barnes era
Knecht on Wednesday became the eighth Tennessee player to be selected in the NBA Draft during the Rick Barnes era, dating back to the 2019 NBA Draft, and the highest pick during that span.
Keon Johnson, selected at No. 21 overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2021 NBA Draft, followed by Jaden Springer at No. 28 overall to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Julian Phillips was selected in the second round, at No. 35 overall, by the Chicago Bulls in last year’s draft. Kennedy Chandler slid to the second round in 2022, taken at No. 38 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies.
Tennessee had three players selected in the 2019 NBA Draft. Grant Williams went at No. 22 overall to the Boston Celtics, Admiral Schofield went at No. 42 overall to the Washington Wizards and Jordan Bone was one of the final picks, at No. 57 to the Detroit Pistons.
