Florida forward Alex Fudge signs Exhibit 10 contract with Los Angeles Lakers
Florida forward Alex Fudge has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to a report from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Fudge spent this past season with the Gators after transferring from LSU. He played in 32 games with Florida, starting 11 and averaging 19.3 minutes per game. Shooting just 39.7% from the field, Fudge averaged 5.8 points and 4.5 rebounds.
The 6-foot-9 forward attended Jacksonville (Fla.) Robert E. Lee, where he was a four-star recruit. He was the No. 98 overall recruit in the 2020 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
Alex Fudge joins two Lakers draft picks and two-way signings
In addition to signing Alex Fudge to an Exhibit 10 contract, the Los Angeles Lakers made two selections during the 2023 NBA Draft and also signed two undrafted players to two-way contracts.
With their first round pick, the Lakers took Indiana guard Jalen Hood-Schifino at No. 17 overall. A bigger point guard at 6-foot-6, Hood-Schifino has the potential to be a versatile defender on defense.
“It’s unlikely Hood-Schifino will be given the keys to an NBA offense out of the gate, but his upside as a combo guard that can run an offense and make his presence felt on defense gives him a strong chance at a meaningful reserve role to begin his career,” Rotowire’s scouting report projection on Hood-Schifino reads. “There are shades of Bradley Beal, Spencer Dinwiddie and CJ McCollum to Hood-Schifino’s game, especially in terms of size, but the prospect projects as more of a passer and less of a 3-point shooter than those three.”
Hood-Schifino was the 2023 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, averaging 13.5 points and 3.7 assists per game for the Hoosiers.
Los Angeles traded up to the No. 40 overall selection to take Pepperdine forward Maxwell Lewis. Lewis averaged 17.1 points per game on 46.9% shooting and 35.1% shooting from beyond the arc.
The team also signed Florida center Colin Castleton and Missouri shooting guard D’Moi Hodge to two-way contracts.
“It’s honestly really crazy and kind of hard to say how I feel because growing up I was a big Kobe fan. I was always watching his videos, watching the Lakers. For me to get drafted by the Lakers is kind of surreal and kind of crazy,” Hood-Schifino said. “I’m thankful to the organization and I’m super excited.”