AJ Hammons during their game at Xfinity Center on February 6, 2016 in College Park, Maryland. The Maryland Terrapins defeated the Purdue Boilermakers 72-61.
According to The Vertical’s Shams Charnia, the Dallas Mavericks have signed rookie center A.J. Hammons, Dallas’ 46th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft out of Purdue. The deal is for three years, fully guaranteed according to The Vertical.
At 7’0,” 250 pounds, the 24 year-old Gary, Indiana native played four seasons with with the Purdue Boilermakers after attending high school at Oak Hill Academy where he was named a McDonald’s All-American.
While at Purdue, Hammons earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Big Ten and honorable mention All-America as a senior at Purdue. In his final season, he averaged 15.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.1 assists while shooting .592 from the floor according a press release from Mavs PR.
Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle addressed the media following the team’s selection saying the Mavs brass felt he was a first round talent. Carlisle said with a lot of empty rosters spots, Hammons has an opportunity to compete for a roster spot.
“I’m really looking forward to working with him,” Carlisle said. “I think he kind fits a void that we have on the roster as a big guy that can shoot on the block that can consistently shoot from mid-range.”
The Mavs now have 12 players on their roster after Dirk Nowitzki, Dwight Powell and Deron Williams re-signed, Harrison Barnes and Seth Curry agreed to deals, Andrew Bogut was acquired via trade, and forward Jeremy Evans was sent to the Indiana Pacers in a salary dump.
You can watch Hammons during the NBA Summer League in Vegas beginning July 9.
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