Former Yale University basketball standout John Poulakidas has secured a spot on the training camp roster of the San Diego Clippers, the NBA G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Clippers. This move comes after a remarkable collegiate career, where Poulakidas averaged 19.4 points per game during his senior season, according to data from Yale Athletics.
Poulakidas, who has a career three-point shooting percentage of 40.2% and an impressive free-throw rate of 83%, has drawn attention for his standout performances in the NCAA tournament. His skills led to an opportunity to participate in the NBA Summer League with the Los Angeles Clippers before signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the team on September 26, 2023.
On October 14, 2023, Poulakidas was waived by the Clippers following the signing of TyTy Washington Jr. to an Exhibit 9 deal. Both Exhibit 9 and Exhibit 10 contracts are non-guaranteed minimum-salary agreements that offer NBA teams roster flexibility while allowing emerging talent to pursue opportunities.
As part of the waiver process, the Clippers designated Poulakidas as an affiliate player. This designation grants the team exclusive G League rights to him. If he remains on the G League roster for 60 days, he stands to earn a bonus of $85,300.
The San Diego Clippers’ season is set to begin on November 8 against the Stockton Kings. Poulakidas’ transition from collegiate star to professional player highlights not only his skills on the court but also the potential for growth and development within the NBA’s developmental league. His journey will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike as he aims to make an impact in the G League.