LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) – College basketball players headed to the NBA of course want that moment of hearing their names called in the NBA draft, but it’s not the only way to make the league. A number of undrafted free agents have gone on to have successful careers, Fred VanVleet notably.
A couple former Kentucky players from last year’s team made the league as undrafted free agents, signing contracts this weekend.
Kellan Grady signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Denver Nuggets, which gives him a one-year minimum salary deal that the team can convert to a two-way contract before the regular season. Davion Mintz signed the same style contract with the Washington Wizards.
Grady scored 11.4 points per game and hit 41.7% of his 3-pointers which ranked 3rd in the SEC. His 88 made triples ranked in the top 10 on Kentucky’s all-time list in program history. He transferred to UK this past season from Davidson.
Mintz transferred two years ago from Creighton and became a fan favorite in the post-COVID season, leading the team in scoring and minutes. He returned to Kentucky and ended his career with 1,188 career points.
Both players were seniors last year and enter their next chapters with plenty of basketball experience as they look to impress their teams in the NBA Summer League which starts on July 7.