With NBA training camps complete and the regular season underway, the G League held its annual draft on Saturday afternoon.
It was a two-round draft with 62 selections. However, teams could pass when they were on the clock.
Jeremy Sochan — the San Antonio Spurs’ pick at No. 9 at the 2022 NBA Draft — was selected No. 1 overall by the Texas Legends, the Mavericks’ G League team. He won a championship with the New York Knicks last season.
The Pacers’ G League affiliate, the Noblesville Boom added two players to their roster.
First, Boom general manager Chris Taylor selected Maleeck Harden-Hayes with the 19th overall pick.
He’s a 6-foot-7 forward out of the University of North Carolina Wilmington. He played five years of college basketball, including his first three years at North Dakota State University. He averaged 10.4 points and 4.1 rebounds during his final season.
Harden-Hayes spent last year, his first as a pro, playing in Portugal.
Then, in the second round, the Boom drafted Austin Benigni at No. 41 overall.
He’s a 5-foot-10 guard out of Navy.
Benigni was a three-year starter and the Midshipmen’s leading scorer. He averaged 18 points on 42.4% shooting, including 44.1% from range, during his senior season.
He led the Patriot League in free-throw percentage (88%) and scored at least 20 points in 14 games as Navy posted its beat season in a quarter-century.
He was the recipient of the Lou Henson Award for the top mid-major player in the nation
The Boom open training camp on Monday, Oct. 26 at the Ascension St. Vincent Center in downtown Indianapolis, with Game 1 set for Nov. 6 at Windy City.
Also of note: The Oklahoma City Blue selected former IU guard Trey Galloway with the 36th overall pick. The Carmel, Ind., native spent last season with the Santa Cruz Warriors after going undrafted.