Report: Michael Foster Jr. Agrees to UDFA Contract with 76ers After 2022 NBA Draft

Tyler Conway @@jtylerconwayFeatured Columnist IVJune 24, 2022

SANTA CRUZ - MARCH 13: Michael Foster Jr. #11 of the G League Ignite looks on during the game against Santa Cruz Warriors during the G-League game on March 13, 2022 at Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Mike Rasay/NBAE via Getty Images)

Mike Rasay/NBAE via Getty Images

The Philadelphia 76ers signed undrafted free agent Michael Foster Jr. on Thursday night following the 2022 NBA draft, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.

It was one of several moves the Sixers made after the draft:

Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
The Sixers have signed Julian Champagnie to a two-way deal, per source.

Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes
Undrafted free agent guard Aminu Mohammed out of Georgetown has reached an agreement on an exhibit 10 contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, league sources tell <a href="https://twitter.com/YahooSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YahooSports</a>.

While Philly didn't make a selection on Thursday night, they did trade the No. 23 overall pick and Danny Green to the Memphis Grizzlies for guard De'Anthony Melton.

The 19-year-old Foster spent the 2021-22 season playing for the G League Ignite, averaging 16.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game during the team's regular-season exhibitions. The Ignite did not formally participate in the G League regular season.

B/R's Jonathan Wasserman compared the young power forward to Patrick Patterson:

"[He] wasn't bothered by older G League competition. He showcased his inside and mid-range scoring with skill and strength, though his three-point shooting and defense have left scouts wanting more."

Foster didn't do much to improve his draft stock by taking the professional route, however. He left high school ranked as the No. 22 player in the country and wound up being undrafted.

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Philadelphia likely views Foster as a slightly depreciated asset they can bring into the fold and continue to develop over the next couple of years. He has the size and mobility to play either forward spot, but he's going to need to improve his jumper significantly to have an impact at the NBA level.