Pistons Sign, Waive Jaden Akins
October 11: The Pistons have waived Akins, according to NBA.com’s transaction log.
October 10: The Pistons have signed Jaden Akins to an Exhibit 10 deal, per Keith Smith of Spotrac (via Twitter).
Akins, who went unselected in the 2025 draft, played for four years at Michigan State. The 6’4″ guard averaged 12.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game and made just 29.3% of his three-point tries after converting 38.6% in his first three college seasons. He was named to the All-Big 10 team, as well as the All-Big 10 All-Defense team, in his senior year.
The 22-year-old played four Summer League games for the Magic this offseason, averaging 5.8 points and 1.8 steals in 13.9 minutes per game.
Signing an Exhibit 10 contract will allow Akins to earn a bonus of up to $85,300 if the Pistons waive him and he spends at least 60 days with their G League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise.
Draft Decisions: Bona, J. James, Da Silva, More
College players who declared for the 2023 NBA draft as early entrants while maintaining their NCAA eligibility have until the end of the day on Wednesday to either withdraw from the draft or forgo their remaining eligibility. Players who take the latter route could still technically pull out of the draft before the NBA’s June 12 deadline, but wouldn’t have the option of returning to school if they miss the NCAA’s May 31 deadline.
As a result, we’re getting a flurry of updates today on prospects who had been testing the draft waters.
UCLA’s Adem Bona, for instance, has decided to remove his name from the draft pool and rejoin the Bruins for his sophomore year, reports Jonathan Givony of ESPN. Bona, the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, had been the No. 48 player on ESPN’s 2023 big board.
Tennessee wing Josiah-Jordan James, the No. 77 player on ESPN’s board, has also decided to pull out of the 2023 draft and will take advantage of his final year of college eligibility, he announced on Twitter. Colorado forward Tristan Da Silva – ESPN’s No. 83 prospect – will head back to school too, as he tells Givony.
While most players announcing decisions today are withdrawing from the draft, that’s not the case for everyone. Memphis forward Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, for instance, has opted to keep his name in the draft and go pro, agent Scott Nichols tells Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports (Twitter link).
In our latest batch of updates, however, Akobundu-Ehiogu is a rarity. Here are several more early entrants who are withdrawing from the draft:
- Jaden Akins, G, Michigan State (sophomore) (Twitter link)
- T.J. Bickerstaff, F, James Madison (senior) (Twitter link via Rothstein)
- Note: Bickerstaff is transferring from Boston College.
- Tyler Burton, F, Villanova (senior) (Twitter link)
- Note: Burton is transferring from Richmond.
- Branden Carlson, F/C, Utah (senior) (Twitter link)
- A.J. Hoggard, G, Michigan State (junior) (Twitter link)
- Clifford Omoruyi, C, Rutgers (junior) (Instagram link)
- Jahvon Quinerly, G, Alabama (senior (Twitter link via Rothstein)
- Cormac Ryan, G, North Carolina (senior) (Twitter link via Rothstein)
- Note: Ryan is transferring from Notre Dame.
- Mady Traore, F, Maryland (freshman) (Twitter link via Rothstein)
- Note: Traore is transferring from New Mexico State.
Dayton’s DaRon Holmes II Among Final Draft Early Entrants
Dayton forward DaRon Holmes II was among the players who declared for the 2023 NBA draft ahead of Sunday’s deadline, a source tells Jonathan Givony of ESPN (Twitter link). It’s unclear if Holmes will be maintaining his remaining college eligibility or going pro outright.
In 34 games as a sophomore in 2022/23, Holmes averaged 18.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks for the Flyers. He is currently ranked No. 65 on ESPN’s big board, making him perhaps a borderline second-round pick.
Senegalese center Ousmane N’Diaye, who plays for a third division Spanish team (Grupo Eleyco Baskonia), and Spanish small forward Michael Caicedo, who plays for Covirán Granada of Spain’s top league (Liga ACB), have also entered the draft (Twitter links courtesy of Sigma Sports and Global Scouting). N’Diaye is ranked No. 59 on ESPN’s list, while Caicedo is No. 86.
Another possible second-rounder, Spanish point guard Juan Nunez, decided not to declare for the draft, according to Givony (Twitter link). The 18-year-old, who is ranked No. 60 on ESPN’s board, plays for German club Ratiopharm Ulm and is considered a talented passer. He could improve his stock and possibly be a first-round pick next year, Givony adds.
Here are a few more players who entered the draft before yesterday’s deadline:
- Miami (FL) junior forward Norchad Omier declared while maintaining his eligibility (Twitter link via the team).
- Forward David Okwera of Australia’s NBL (Twitter link via Jon Chepkevich of RookieScale.com).
- Mexican forward Gael Bonilla of the Mexico City Capitanes (Twitter link via Enrique Garay).
- Michigan State sophomore guard Jaden Akins declared while maintaining his eligibility (Instagram link).
- Croatian centers (and twin brothers) Tomislav Ivisic and Zvonimir Ivisic of SC Derby Podgorica (Twitter link via agent Misko Raznatovic).