After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last season, the Indiana Pacers haven’t looked like that team through much of this season. They are under .500 after 34 games at 16-18. That currently has them with the eighth-best record in the Eastern Conference.
On Wednesday, the Pacers made a minor transaction. While it likely won’t have much impact for the NBA club, it still involves a young player trying to prove that he belongs in the league. Guard RayJ Dennis is joining the Pacers on a two-way deal.
Pacers Add Former MAC Player Of The Year On Two-Way
RayJ Dennis Joining Pacers On Two-Way Contract
A 6-foot-2 guard, Dennis went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft. He briefly was on a two-way contract with the Washington Wizards, but was waived shortly after, and prior to the regular season beginning.
The 23-year-old Dennis has spent this season in the G League playing with the San Diego Clippers. In 16 outings (all starts), Dennis has posted averages of 16.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.3 steals. He has shot 46.1% from the field, 34.6% from beyond the arc, and 81.0% from the free-throw line.
Prior to playing professionally, Dennis spent five seasons with three different schools at the college level. His first two were with Boise State, then he spent two with Toledo, and his final year came last season with Baylor. During his final year at Toledo (2022-23), Dennis was named the MAC Player of the Year. Last season with Baylor, Dennis earned a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team.
Tristen Newton, 2024 Most Outstanding Player In NCAA Tournament, Waived
The Pacers already had their three two-way spots occupied before bringing in Dennis. That meant that they would need to waive someone to make room for him. The player who was waived is a well-known name for college basketball fans, Tristen Newton.
The 23-year-old Newton was selected in the second round (49th overall) by Indiana in the 2024 NBA Draft. He has appeared in 10 games with the Indiana Mad Ants, the Pacers G League affiliate. The 6-foot-5 guard saw action in just five games for the Pacers though, totaling eight minutes. He scored three points and dished out an assist for the NBA club.
Newton spent his final two collegiate seasons playing for the UConn Huskies. During both of the years, the Huskies won the national championship. Newton was named the Most Outstanding Player in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
The Pacers other two-way players are forward Enrique Freeman and guard Quenton Jackson.
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