NC State guard Jarkel Joiner signs Exhibit 10 contract with Atlanta Hawks
NC State guard Jarkel Joiner has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Atlanta Hawks, according to a report from Jon Chepkevich of DraftExpress.com.
Joiner spent six years in college, playing for three different teams. He played his first two years at Cal State Bakersfield before transferring to Ole Miss for two more seasons. The 6-foot-1 guard then played his final year of eligibility for the Wolfpack.
It was a great decision for Joiner, who averaged 17.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 35.9 minutes per game.
“I’m so glad I came here,” Joiner said after losing in the NCAA Tournament. “It’s so family oriented and I’m glad that we got back to the NCAA Tournament. Coach has been a winner all his life, and I’m so glad he’s been able to coach me and get me to here. It’s been fun.”
Joiner has been a playmaker since he entered the college basketball world; the 6-foot-1 guard has averaged at least 10 points in each of his college seasons. But the season with NC State was a culmination of years of hard work.
In addition to Joiner, Atlanta Hawks drafted two guards
The Hawks selected a guard with their first round pick this year, taking Michigan guard Kobe Bufkin at No. 15 overall. Bufkin said he is excited for the opportunity to play in Atlanta.
“Trae Young is an on-ball threat,” Bufkin said. “So I’m comfortable playing on ball if he needs a break, off ball if he doesn’t need a break. I feel like I’ve proven myself to be able to be a threat on or off the ball. I’m just looking forward to getting to Atlanta and being able to compete. It’s something I’ve dreamed of, and I’m finally here. Take the most out of it, for sure.”
Bufkin averaged 14.0 points and 4.5 rebounds as a sophomore this past season for the Wolverines.
In the second round, the team selected Penn State guard Seth Lundy. A senior this past year, Lundy improved his stats every year with the Nittany Lions.
“Lundy could enter the NBA as a flamethrower off the bench, unafraid to take tough shots and always looking for the 3-ball,” Rotowire’s scouting report on Lundy reads. “There are shades of Kelly Oubre and Michael Porter Jr. to his game. It may take some time, but he could develop into a sixth man.”