Okun Adam Sanogo, the Most Outstanding Player of the 2023 Final Four, was not one of the 58 players selected in the NBA draft Thursday night. But shortly after the 58th pick, Sanogo signed a two-way call with the Chicago Bulls.
From Storrs to Chicago! 🏙️
Adama Sanogo has agreed to a two-way contract with @Chicago Bulls #HU5KIES pic.twitter.com/GIZXOkokZb
– UConn Men’s Basketball (UConnMBB) June 23, 2023
The 6-foot-9 mali led the national champion Huskies in both scoring (17.2 points per game) and rebounding (7.7 points per game) last season. He was even more impressive during the NCAA tournament at UConn, averaging 19.7 points and 9.8 rebounds in six games and a career-high 17 against San Diego State in the national title game.
Despite his dominance in college, Sanogo is undersized as a major player in the NBA and scouts believe he lacks some of the skills required in the modern NBA game. Measured in 6-7 without shoes at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.
Adama Sanogo is not interested in draft riches in the NBA. Instead, he is “determined” to help his people
Sanogo wasn’t the only dominant college big man to be snubbed in Thursday’s draft. Drew Timme, a Gonzaga All-American, went undrafted before he signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. Oscar Cheppui, the 2022 National Player of the Year from Kentucky and a former consensus All-American, was not named Thursday and has yet to be signed to a pro deal. And Ąžuolas Tubelis, a consensus second-team All-American in 2022 in Arizona, went undrafted before signing a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
UConn fans will likely have a chance to see Sanogo in a Bulls uniform in just over a week as the NBA Summer League schedule It starts on July 3.
Sanogo’s Huskies teammates Jordan Hawkins and Andre Jackson were selected Thursday, with Hawkins going #14 to New Orleans and Jackson landing #36 to the Milwaukee Bucks after a reported trade.