Though those are the only two local products now in the NBA, here is a look at six guys with Dayton connections to keep an eye on this season.
1. Adreian Payne, Orlando Magic
The 6-foot-10 forward from Jefferson was a first-round pick by the Atlanta Hawks in 2014 and was traded to Minnesota in February 2015. He remained with the Timberwolves until becoming a free agent this summer and signed a two-way contract with Orlando in August. He has played two games with the Magic this season and was recently recalled from the G League Lakeland Magic.
2. Charles Cooke III, New Orleans Pelicans
The 6-foot-5 shooting guard from the University of Dayton went undrafted despite projections he would be a second-round pick but managed to land a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. He made his NBA debut on Oct. 28 against the Cavaliers and recently was recalled from NBA G League Greensboro Swarm. Cooke has appeared in four games with the Pelicans.
3. Chris Wright, Oklahoma City Blue forward (NBA G League)
The 6-foot-8 Trotwood-Madison and University of Dayton graduate was waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 14 as one of the team’s final preseason roster cuts but is now on the NBA G League squad. He previously spent time with the Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks. Wright played at UD from 2007 to 2011 and was a three-time all-Atlantic 10 pick for the Flyers.
4. Chris Johnson, unrestricted free agent
Johnson, who played at the University of Dayton from 2008 to 2012, remains unsigned this season but enjoyed stints with the Memphis Grizzlies, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz and Milwaukee Bucks. He played for the Rio Grande Vipers NBA G League team affiliate of the Houston Rockets last season and joined Houston for the 2017 NBA Summer League but was waived on Oct. 13.
5. Brian Roberts, Olympiacos (Greek Basket League and EuroLeague)
The former UD guard from Toledo spent five years in the NBA, including with New Orleans, Charlotte and Portland but after his contract ended with Charlotte last season, he signed to play in Europe.
6. Norris Cole, Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israeli Premier League and the EuroLeague)
The Dunbar High School graduate was a two-time NBA champion with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013, but he is now playing overseas. Cole split time last season with Shandong of the Chinese League and the Oklahoma City Thunder. He had previously played 347 games for Miami and New Orleans.
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