By Sean Kennedy (@PhillyFastBreak)
Sixers finalizing deal with D-League stud Robert Covington, via @ESPNSteinLine. I’m told it’s a long-term four-year agreement.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) November 12, 2014
First, it appears as if the team reached an agreement with Covington on the 4-year, extremely team-friendly contract that Sam Hinkie loves to employ. The two sides couldn’t reach an agreement a few weeks back, as it appeared Covington was ready to bet on himself a la K.J. McDaniels. I guess hanging out in Grand Rapids for a couple weeks preparing to take buses to other D-league venues changed his mind. So the Sixers are, once again, carrying a fairly minimal financial obligation with another young player.
More importantly, the man can ball. Still just 23 years old, the 6’9″ forward went undrafted out of Tennessee State, but intrigued scouts with his 7’2″ wingspan, ability to shoot the basketball, and strong all-around game. As a Tiger, Covington put up full stat lines across the board over his college career, shooting as high as 48% from three during his sophomore year (dipped to 37% his senior year), while his free throw percentage hovered around 80% all four seasons.
That potential carried over to his first professional season a year ago. While playing just a grand total of 35 minutes as a member of the Houston Rockets, Covington shined with their D-league affiliate, Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Covington was the D-league Rookie of the Year and All-Star Game MVP, ranking 2nd in the league in both points (23.2) and steals (2.4) per game, while also averaging a team-high 9.2 rebounds. His elite-for-a-big-man shooting prowess also carried over as he went 37% from three and 84% from the line.
Covington is a guy the organization has had an eye on for some time, with the length and athleticism the team covets in its young players, while also possessing the rare-for-the-Sixers ability to actually shoot the ball successfully from the perimeter. Now, he’ll have a substantial opportunity to carve out minutes for himself and show what he can do against the highest level of competition. The only question for the Sixers is who will be shown the door. Will Drew Gordon be sent back down to the D-league in the same week he was brought to the Big Show, or will another player be the latest roster casualty (*cough* JaKarr Sampson *cough*)? Regardless, this latest move definitely has more intrigue than the typical undrafted, D-leaguer to walk through the door.
Watch on for a college highlight reel of Covington draining threes, dunking, and blocking shots to a Wiz Khalifa track, because the internet is good like that. Enjoy your Wednesday.
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