Charge select Sam Merrill with first pick of 2022-23 NBA G League Draft
NEW YORK – The Cleveland Charge selected Sam Merrill (6-4, 205, Utah State) with the first overall pick of the 2022-23 NBA G League Draft on Saturday afternoon, which was held virtually. The Wisconsin Herd selected Joe Wieskamp with the second overall selection, while the Greensboro Swarm selected Aaron Wheeler with the third pick.
In 2021-22, Merrill played six games with the Memphis Grizzlies and seven contests with the Memphis Hustle. Merrill averaged 14.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists during his time with the Hustle last season. The Albuquerque-native was selected No. 60 overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA Draft 2020 presented by State Farm®.
Weiskamp (6-6, 205, Iowa) spent time on a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs throughout the 2021-22 NBA season. The No. 41 overall pick in the NBA Draft 2021 presented by State Farm® appeared in 29 games for San Antonio last year, while also playing in 28 games with the Austin Spurs throughout the 2021-22 NBA G League calendar, where he averaged 15.4 points along with 4.0 rebounds.
Amauri Hardy (6-1, 200, NBA G League Ignite) was selected 10th overall by the Texas Legends, making him the first NBA G League Ignite player to be taken in the NBA G League Draft. Mayan Kiir (6-9, 220, New Mexico State) was selected 15th overall by the Westchester Knicks and is the first Basketball Africa League player to be taken in an NBA G League Draft.
Ryan Turell (6-7, 190, Yeshiva) was drafted 27th overall by the Motor City Cruise. Turell, who was named the 2021-22 NABC Division III Player of the Year, becomes the first Orthodox Jewish player to be selected in the NBA G League Draft.
Norris Cole (6-2, 170, Cleveland State) was drafted 45th by the Grand Rapids Gold. The NBA veteran won two NBA championships while with the Miami Heat in back-to-back seasons (2011-12, 2012-13). In six NBA seasons, Cole averaged 7.0 points and 2.7 assists.
Full results from the 2022-23 NBA G League Draft are below.
ROUND ONE
1. Cleveland – Sam Merrill
2. Wisconsin – Joe Wieskamp
3. Greensboro – Aaron Wheeler
4. College Park – Jared Rhoden
5. Oklahoma City Blue – Jericole Hellems
6. Sioux Falls – Kadeem Jack
7. College Park – Terrell Brown Jr.
8. Oklahoma City Blue – Michael Weathers
9. Texas – Taze Moore
10. Texas – Amauri Hardy
11. Memphis – Ty Gordon
12. Iowa – Mamoudou Diarra
13. Fort Wayne – Abu Kigab
14. Ontario – Warith Alatishe
15. Westchester – Mayan Kiir
16. Capital City – Theo John
17. South Bay – Nate Roberts
18. Memphis – Keith Williams
19. Long Island – Taz Sherman
20. Raptors 905 – Devon Daniels
21. Sioux Falls – Jai Smith
22. College Park – Adrian Delph
23. Wisconsin – Tyrn Flowers
24. Windy City – Nick King
25. Ontario – David Collins
26. Delaware – Derek Culver
27. Motor City – Ryan Turell
28. Motor City – Tom Digbeu
29. Maine – Kendall Smith
ROUND TWO
1. Cleveland – Rashad Vaughn
2. Mexico City – Jassel Perez
3. Greensboro – Tyson Jolly
4. Raptors 905 – Hasahn French
5. Greensboro – Passed
6. Sioux Falls – Landon Kirkwood
7. Austin – Justin Kier
8. Iowa – Passed
9. Santa Cruz – Jayce Johnson
10. Delaware – Passed
11. Cleveland – Remy Martin
12. Oklahoma City – Noah Starkey
13. Oklahoma City – Philip Flory
14. Maine – Zak Irvin
15. Westchester – Jahvon Blair
16. Sioux Falls – Brandon McCoy
17. South Bay – John Meeks
18. Stockton – Seth Allen
19. Grand Rapids – Norris Cole
20. Memphis – Passed
21. Stockton – Austin Trice
22. College Park – Passed
23. Greensboro – Passed
24. Stockton – Isaac Johnson
25. Salt Lake City – Elijah Lufile
26. Delaware – Passed
27. Rio Grande Valley – Eron Gordon
28. Santa Cruz – Jack Nolan
29. Salt Lake City – Armon Fletcher
ROUND THREE
1. Cleveland – J.J. Moore
2. College Park – Passed
3. Greensboro – Passed
4. Lakeland – Jachai Taylor
5. Lakeland – Passed
6. Birmingham – Trey McGowens
7. Austin – Passed
8. Oklahoma City – Kevin Kangu
9. Windy City – Wayne Stewart Jr.
10. Fort Wayne – Passed
11. Maine – Passed
12. Cleveland – Passed
13. Fort Wayne – Passed
14. Maine – Passed
15. Westchester – Dazon Ingram
16. Grand Rapids – Passed
17. Mexico City – Passed
18. Windy City – Passed
19. Long Island – Alan Griffin
20. Austin – Passed
21. Austin – Passed
22. College Park – Passed
23. Wisconsin – Passed
24. Grand Rapids – Passed
25. Ontario – Passed
26. Delaware – Passed
27. Santa Cruz – Passed
28. Capital City – Nick Hornsby
29. Raptors 905 – Passed
About the NBA G League
The NBA’s official minor league, the NBA G League prepares players, coaches, officials, training and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 30 teams, 28 with direct affiliations to NBA franchises for 2023-23, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. A record 47 percent of all players on 2022-23 NBA opening night rosters boasted NBA G League experience. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA Cares programs.