Former South Carolina Guard Ta’Lon Cooper Inks Exhibit-10 Deal with Orlando Magic
Signing with the Magic
Former South Carolina standout Ta’Lon Cooper has penned an Exhibit-10 agreement with the Orlando Magic, bringing a significant rise to his professional basketball career. An Exhibit-10 deal, for the uninitiated, enables NBA franchises to transform a player’s regular one-year, minimum contract into a two-way agreement. Essentially a tryout, these deals are generally non-guaranteed, granting teams the freedom to waive players and eliminate their cap hit from the payroll.
Cooper’s Journey
Cooper journeyed to South Carolina prior to the commencement of the 2023-24 season, stringing together a commendable performance during his tenure. He notched an average of 9.9 points per game, achieved through 48 percent shooting efficiency from the field. Showcasing his range, he managed a 45.9 percent mark from beyond the three-point line, while contributing 4.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per contest. Before adorning the Gamecock colors, Cooper featured for Morehead State and Minnesota, crafting an overall career scoring average of 8.8 points per game, complemented by 3.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists per appearance.
Orlando Magic’s NBA Draft Moves
In the recent NBA Draft, the Magic chose Tristan da Silva from Colorado with the 18th overall pick. In the second-round proceedings, they picked Kentucky’s impressive Antonio Reeves at No. 47. The Orlando Magic are set to kick-off their summer league campaign against the Cleveland Cavaliers on July 12 in Las Vegas. The exciting fixture will tip-off at 4 p.m. and is set to be telecast on NBA TV.
Gamecocks in the News
South Carolina basketball is buzzing with activity over the past few days. A year since playing alongside Collin Murray-Boyles, fellow Gamecock BJ Mack anticipates a stellar path ahead for South Carolina’s rising sophomore superstar.
Among recent developments, BJ Mack revealed that he’s utilizing his NIL earnings to fulfill his father’s dream. The NCAA’s recently implemented Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) laws have enabled athletes to capitalize on their personal brands while still in college.
Keeping the spotlight on South Carolina basketball, the men’s basketball team has found out their destination for this year’s SEC-ACC Men’s Challenge – Boston. Additionally, NBA veteran Paul George has tipped former Gamecock GG Jackson as a complete and underrated star during a recent podcast episode.
South Carolina basketball is undoubtedly making strides on and off the court. Cooper’s Exhibit-10 deal symbolizes success not just for him, but is also a beacon of triumph for the Gamecock basketball program’s ability to shape players into NBA-ready athletes.
