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Alex Poythress is finally getting his NBA shot.
According to Woj, the Philadelphia 76ers are signing Poythress for the remainder of the regular season.
Sources: The NBA has awarded the 76ers an injury hardship exception, clearing way to sign Alex Poythress of D-League Ft. Wayne.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) April 1, 2017
Poythress has been having a fantastic season in the D-League with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, though it’s not been enough to earn an NBA call-up thus far. But the Sixers are in need of more bodies after losing several players to season-ending injuries, the latest being Jahlil Okafor and Robert Covington.
After going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft, Poythress signed with the Indiana Pacers before being waived during final cuts. He’s since been in the D-League where he’s an MVP candidate after averaging 18.5 points on 52.7% shooting, including 40.3% from three-point land to go with 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 blocks per game.
With Alex Poythress signing with the Sixers, that puts a former UK player on 20 of the 30 NBA teams. That's right, 2/3 of the teams. #BBN
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) April 1, 2017
Poythress has done this while playing with former Kentucky Wildcats point guard Marquis Teague, and the two have helped the Mad Ants win 29 games and in position to make the playoffs.
It’s great to see Poythress finally getting his shot in the NBA, even if it is just for two more weeks as the regular season winds down.