UNDERDOGS
UnderDOG (UD.)
From a 12th man to an undrafted rook to a role player/specialist, UnderDOGs are key to any squad.
Think: Trendon Watford (BKN)
Dyson Daniels: two-way, playmaking prospect (by way of Australia) w/ ideal size in the backcourt.
Czech Republic’s Vit Krejci signed a multi-year deal to join the league in 2021 - young role player who’s learning the NBA game in “real time.”
Onyeka Okongwu has incredibly high activity on the interior - great rebounding & shot-blocking volume.
Garrison Mathews: 2019 A-Sun Player of the Year who’s emerging into a true wing scorer.
Noah Clowney: 21st overall pick outta ‘Bama: 6’10 four - opportunity to acclimate at an even pace in Brooklyn.
Trendon Watford: very talented, undrafted player - former 5-star HS prospect & McDonald’s All-American.
Drafted 10th overall outta Stanford in 2021, Ziaire Williams is evolving his game while playing an instrumental role on a rebuilding team.
Day’Ron Sharpe: 6’10 F/C with a penchant for grabbing boards and scoring on the inside.
Shake Milton is a big, versatile guard with sheer size & scoring potential as his standout attributes.
The #1 overall pick in 2016, Ben Simmons is wired w/ an uncommon combination of elite physical tools & a natural feel for the game.
JD Davison is really an eye-catching athlete at the 1 spot: special dunker w/ a ridiculous vertical attack.
Sacramento’s Neemias Queta: 1st NBA Player from Portugal - will be brought along to impose fear as a momentum-shifting shot-blocker/Watch DOG.
Nick Smith Jr. incorporates a flowy sort of style that allows him to decide what he wants (to do) in that exact moment.
Nick Richards: momentum-shifting pivot who makes spectacular plays as a finisher & shot-blocker.
Grant Williams has Star UnderDOG written all over him - developing into a special role player.
UConn’s Adama Sanago: 2023 NCAA Tournament MVP who secured a 2Way contract w/ the Bulls on draft day.
Chicago’s Julian Phillips is a springy, athletic forward who has a nose for the ball.
Dalen Terry’s an excellent addition to Chicago’s lineup: 6’7 wing who galvanizes whatever group he’s part of.
Versatility is the name of the game for Chicago’s Patrick Williams, a promising forward w/ high two-way potential.
Drafted 10th overall outta Maryland (in 2020), Jalen Smith provides two-way services in the Association.
Talen Horton-Tucker: a deceptively athletic wing w/ a strong build/great wingspan.
A bulldog defender & playmaker outta West Virginia, Jevon Carter has a high basketball IQ.
An undrafted swingman outta USC Upstate, Torrey Craig dominated in New Zealand & Australia before earning a spot in the NBA.
JT Thor is one to keep an eye out for in Cleveland: could transform into a versatile, shooter/finisher/defender at multiple spots.
Former Utah State star Sam Merrill is an excellent floor spacer who can get his own bucket.
DEAN Wade: an undrafted forward outta Kansas State - seems to always provide valuable minutes.
A former second rounder outta Iowa State, Georges Niang brings his ‘old man game’ to Cleveland.
Montreal’s Olivier-Maxence Prosper aka “O-Max”: one of the top, late-round prospects in the Association.
Former Arizona Wildcat Brandon Williams signed w/ Trail Blazers with a couple months left in the ’21-’22 season and took tremendous advantage of his playing time - savvy, shot-creating 1.
A German import, Maxi Kleber is a hybrid, 4/5 able to step out & score + convert shots between the lines.
Peyton Watson: former 5-star prospect outta UCLA - energetic as a stopper, tries to make momentum-shifting plays.
Drafted in 2017, Vlatko Cancar finally joined Denver in the 2019-2020 season - solid, all-around forward.
Paul Reed is a bit overlooked: active, hybrid big w/ some inside-out scoring - consistently has the upper hand in terms of a speed + athleticism advantage.
Malik Beasley: a two-way wing who can cash different types of triples & features naturally impressive athleticism.
Moses Moody is very, very underrated: big, multi-dimensional two guard (6’6) with a more than respectable attack from different levels on the court.
Good role player: Jae’Sean Tate makes a difference as a defender, rebounder & tempo-pusher.
Indiana’s Isaiah Jackson resembles the prototype for “complete,” big man finishers - able to convert lobs up top & short rolls, budding shooter from beyond the arc.
The 2nd overall pick in 2020, James Wiseman is a lefty big w/ solid, short production.
A NY native suiting up for the blue & gold, Obi Toppin is an elite athlete at the four spot.
Bones Hyland can hoop: instant-offense combo guard who always puts forth a spirited effort on the court.
Texas’s Kai Jones is a special athlete at the five spot, likes to get out and finish in the break.
LA’s 17th pick in 2023, Jalen Hood-Schifino is hoping to earn the unofficial title of: “LA’s SG of the Future.”
Laker fans are hoping Max Christie’s a long-term solution at the 2/3 spot: Christie’s game features so much promise.
Gabe Vincent’s value is at an all-time high: headstrong PG, capable from anywhere beyond the arc.
Jarred Vanderbilt possesses lots of natural talent & athleticism, yet hustles & values dirty work.
Luke Kennard can put the ball in the basket, has made his name as a sniper & outside scorer.
Serbia’s Nikola Jović landed w/ a great organization for development - should make a nice impact in Miami.
An accurate outside shooter w/ an air-tight handle: AJ Green has plenty of maneuvers to get his shot off - has a sort of “unblockable” high release on his J.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a guard to watch out for: upside as a long-term, two-way playmaker.
2023 National Champ Jordan Hawkins is just what the doctor ordered for New Orleans: another movement shooter (to pair alongside Trey Murphy III) who can find his way around screens, spot up & fire from deep however much he pleases.
Grand Theft Alvarado: Jose’s a highly competitive PG who provides an important energy shift whenever he’s in the lineup.
Javonte Green’s a strong utility wing who makes a mark w/ explosiveness & activity on defense.
Matt Ryan? No, the other one! Earned contract after an impressive preseason in 2022, signed to (eventually) add a reliable, three-point threat to the lineup.
The 20th overall pick in 2020, Precious Achiuwa is a gifted, athletic big w/ some perimeter skills.
A 2018 second-rounder, Mitchell Robinson is a great athlete w/ incredible instincts (& explosion) as a shot-blocker & on the glass.
Ousmane Dieng: 6’10 wing outta France - game isn’t completely defined yet but Dieng oozes skill.
Kenrich Williams bet on himself: turned down late 2nd-round offers & 2Way deals to earn full-time NBA spot.
Caleb Houstan: 6’8 Canadian wing w/ his sights set on a long-term future as a two-way player.
Well-rounded attack, though Goga doesn’t shy away from tendencies you’d see in a traditional big.
KJ Martin: ridiculously athletic forward whose specialty is elite transition finishing.
A 6’2 playmaker from Iowa State, Monte Morris has the ability to generate clean looks for himself & teammates.
Portland’s Kris Murray: a former late-first rounder w/ a lefty touch from multiple zones.
A 6’7 wing outta Nebraska, Bryce McGowens’s game could really open up w/ more opportunity .
Dalano Banton’s a diamond in the rough: second-round prospect with great playmaking potential.
Colby Jones: jack of all trades wing who brings a mature mindset & improving game to Sacramento.
1/2 of SA’s youthful (backcourt), scoring duo, Malaki Branham’s an impressive, 6’5 scorer/playmaker - trouble for the opposition offensively - quick “push” shot that isn’t swayed by a tough close out.
1/2 of SA’s youthful, (backcourt) scoring duo, Blake Wesley’s a gifted guard prospect who can explode to the hole and find pull-up jumpers after utilizing his handle.
Tre Jones is coming along at a very nice pace in San Antonio: highly skilled playmaker who knows what it takes to lead.
Nicknamed “Off-Night,” Davion Mitchell never gives his man any sort of break on the defensive end.
Bruno Fernando: an athletic pivot w/ power - throws down w/ authority off dives & roll catches.
Oscar Tshiebwe is a complete monster on the boards - one of the most productive young rebounders to enter the league in a while.
Drew Eubanks does well in his role as an interior defender/rebounder/scorer off the bench.
Svi Mykhailiuk is a very fluid offensive talent w/ catch-and-shoot, spot-up, & “off the bounce” shooting abilities.
Johnny Davis: decorated college player, starred at Wisconsin & racked up a ton of accolades during his final season w/ the Badgers.
Jared Butler: 2021 National Champ & Final Four Most Outstanding Player - possesses great leadership qualities at point.
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Dominick Barlow: the first Overtime Elite alum to ever play in the NBA.