The Magic have signed wing Caleb Houstan, the 32nd pick of last month’s draft, the team announced (via Twitter).
Houstan, 19, was a five-star recruit out of high school and a projected lottery pick entering college. However, he struggled a bit in his lone season with Michigan, averaging 10.1 PPG, 4 RPG and 1.4 APG on .384/.355/.783 shooting in 34 games (32 MPG), causing his draft stock to slide.
In an unusual move, Houstan was one of the only players to decline an invitation to this year’s draft combine, leading to speculation that he might have received a first-round promise. He wound up being the second pick of the second round instead.
The terms of Houstan’s deal were not disclosed, but if the Magic wanted to sign him to a three- or four-year deal, they would have to use part of their mid-level exception to do so, like the Grizzlies did with Kennedy Chandler and the Thunder did with Jaylin Williams.
I thought he would go slightly higher/at the end of the 1st round, but his issues in certain areas with lack of lift, and stuff off the dribble, I guess hurt him, but also GS ended up going with the technically higher upside player.
So
So he’s a useful player as a guy that can defend at the 4, and shoot it…
Being a huge U of M fan and watching nearly every second of every game, I’ll tell you something. He is going to need a TON of polish to get anywhere near NBA ready. His jumper was foul and his defense was laughable. I expected huge things from him when he committed and boy did he disappoint. Good luck with him. This guy absolutely closes up shop at crunch time!
“Closes up shop” and a no-show at the combine! He must be a workout warrior— looks good when it does not matter.