In today's edition of Auburn Tigers News, former Tiger Chuma Okeke signs with the Knicks and basketball makes the top seven programs for AJ Dybantsa
Former Auburn basketball star Chuma Okeke has had a tough time in the NBA so far. A member of the legendary Final Four team on the Plains, Okeke tore his ACL in the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Tournament. He was then picked 16th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, but missed his first season while recovering from the injury.
Okeke has been dogged by injuries throughout his five seasons in the league, and has struggled to add up playing time. He became an unrestricted free agent after the Orlando Magic didn't offer a deal in the offseason, and will now get a second chance with the New York Knicks.
Early look at Big Chum in a different 🧡💙 pic.twitter.com/LvIsSmWLf2
— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) August 2, 2024
The Knicks have signed Okeke to an exhibit 10 deal like the one Jaylin Williams signed with the Nuggets earlier this week. It means that Okeke will compete for a roster spot and have the opportunity to convert to a two-way deal by the start of the season.
Auburn basketball makes AJ Dybantsa's top 7
The Tigers are staying in the competitive recruitment of 5-star small forward AJ Dybantsa. The #1 player in the recruiting class of 2025 recently locked down his top seven schools, and Auburn basketball made the cut along with Alabama, Baylor, BYU, Kansas, Kansas State, and North Carolina.
So far, Dybantsa has officially visited Auburn and unofficially visited BYU, but he plans to make a return trip to BYU for an official. 247 Sports' Eric Bossi reports that Dybantsa is in the process of planning trips to his top schools that he has yet to visit. During his trip to the Plains, the small forward was able to discuss his potential role with head coach Bruce Pearl.
"Bruce was essentially telling me that I'd play a or role," he recalled, per 247 Sports. "I'd play the wing or two role in college and that's what they did, so that's a good comparison."