Spurs Sign former Illini Brandon Paul
July 14, 2017 | Men's Basketball
Former Illini will get another NBA shot after impressive overseas & summer league play
SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Spurs announced Friday that the team has signed former Fighting Illini guard Brandon Paul.
Paul, 6-4/200, most recently played with Cleveland in the 2017 MGM Resorts Summer League in Las Vegas, averaging 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.33 steals in 25.3 minutes over three games. He also suited up for Dallas at the 2017 Orlando Pro Summer League, averaging 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.25 steals in 29.1 minutes in four appearances.
Spending last season with Anadolu Efes in Istanbul, Turkey, Paul averaged 8.6 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.04 steals in 17.3 minutes while shooting .415 (39-94) from three-point range in 23 Euroleague appearances. After four seasons at the University of Illinois, he has played internationally in three of the four seasons since going undrafted in the 2013 NBA Draft. He spent the 2013-14 season with Nizhny Novgorod in Russia before playing in the NBA G League in 2014-15, averaging 15.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.14 steals in 26.3 minutes in 43 games with the Canton Charge. Paul spent the 2015-16 season with Divina Seguros in Spain before joining Anadolu Efes last year.
Paul played four seasons at the University of Illinois prior to entering the 2013 NBA Draft. He was named Third Team All-Big Ten following his senior season, during which he averaged 17 points per game, leading the Illini to a 23-13 record and an appearance in the 2013 NCAA Tournament.
Paul joins Deron Williams (Cavaliers) and Meyers Leonard (Trail Blazers) as former Illini currently under NBA contract.
We've signed Brandon Paul » https://t.co/HKry3VFJMr
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) July 14, 2017
Welcome to the #SpursFamily, @BP3! pic.twitter.com/e0PQ6Sw3cu
It's official. ??
— Illini Basketball (@IlliniMBB) July 14, 2017
Former #Illini @BP3 has signed with the @spurs ?? pic.twitter.com/Vzijp9Ae8k
Official. pic.twitter.com/j7ffLenmZR
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) July 14, 2017
You signed an exciting player in @BP3, @spurs fans. https://t.co/aFAAzv5yrH
— Illinois on BTN (@IllinoisOnBTN) July 14, 2017
Today has to be the best day in @BP3's career since Mike Tirico uttered, "This is your night, Brandon Paul." https://t.co/lEnvPXVUmw
— Illinois on BTN (@IllinoisOnBTN) July 14, 2017
.@BP3 was excited to get the call from @Spurs Coach Pop today. #Illini #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/QvA3XGhiy8
— Illini Basketball (@IlliniMBB) July 14, 2017
