Great Britain international and LSU graduating senior Kavell Bigby-Williams has signed a one-year contract with the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA.
Despite going undrafted in this year's NBA Draft, the former London Thunder junior and GB Under-20 had a successful workout with the Hornets in which he was able to impress them enough to be offered an one-year Exhibit 10 contract.
According to Slamonline.com, an Exhibit 10 contract is a one-year, minimum salary NBA contract with a specific Exhibit 10 attachment built into it and no other bonuses.
Below is Bigby-Williams post-workout with the Hornets:
The Londoner played his first two years in the US at Gillette College in Wyoming where he won the 2016 NJCAA Division 1 Player of the Year, before signing with NCAA Division 1 powerhouse, University of Oregon where he went to the Final Four.
The 6' 11" big man then transferred to LSU for his senior year where his defensive ability and athleticism were on display, averaging 7.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game for the Tigers, including 10 double doubles for the year and 10-10 in the NCAA Tournament over Yale.
A defensive specialist, Bigby-Williams also swatted nine blocks in a win against Grambling State last season, the most by an LSU player since 2006.
Kavell Bigby-Williams has signed an Exhibit 10 Contract with the Charlotte Hornets! pic.twitter.com/Pa2kMuVXdz
— LSU Basketball (@LSUBasketball) 21 June 2019
Bigby-Williams was born and raised in the UK, and has represented Great Britain at the U18 and U20 International levels, including averaging 11.7 points and 10.1 rebounds for the U20's in the 2015 Division A European Championships.
A product of the England Talent Pathway, Kavell's success is also huge success for British Basketball, which has only produced a handful of NBA players to-date.
Basketball England’s Performance and Technical Manager, Steve Bucknall said:
"Kavell Bigby-Williams is a product of the England Talent pathway and has proved that we can develop our young players to the highest standards in the world," said Bucknell. "Kavell played in the National League for London Thunder Basketball Club, and Harris Academy system in the EABL. His career flourished in the USA were he has fulfilled his dream of playing in the NBA. We are all excited and proud of his achievements and wish him continued success in his journey to become a professional player."
