Former Yale men’s basketball standout John Poulakidas has secured a spot on the training camp roster of the San Diego Clippers, an affiliate of the Los Angeles Clippers. This opportunity marks a significant milestone for Poulakidas, who excelled during his collegiate career, averaging 19.4 points per game in his senior season.
During his time at Yale, Poulakidas demonstrated exceptional shooting skills, achieving a career three-point shooting percentage of 40.2 percent and converting 83 percent of his free-throw attempts. His performance in the NCAA tournament garnered nationwide attention, showcasing his potential to compete at higher levels.
Poulakidas was not selected in the NBA draft held in June 2023 but played in the NBA Summer League with the Los Angeles Clippers. On September 26, he signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the team, which is a non-guaranteed minimum-salary contract that offers flexibility for NBA teams while providing opportunities to emerging talent.
Shortly after, on October 14, Poulakidas was waived by the Clippers as they signed TyTy Washington Jr. to an Exhibit 9 deal. These contracts allow teams to retain flexibility and are part of the league’s collective bargaining agreement. Importantly, being waived on an Exhibit 10 contract enables the team to designate Poulakidas as an affiliate player, meaning the Clippers retain exclusive rights to him in the G League.
Currently, Poulakidas is in a favorable position; if he remains on the G League roster for a minimum of 60 days, he will be eligible for a bonus of $85,300. Following his waiver, he was designated as an affiliate player and transferred to the San Diego Clippers.
The G League season is set to commence on November 8, with the San Diego Clippers facing off against the Stockton Kings. As Poulakidas embarks on this new chapter in his basketball career, his journey reflects the challenges and opportunities that many athletes face in the competitive landscape of professional sports. His transition from Yale to the G League not only highlights his individual achievements but also underscores the growing pipeline of talent emerging from collegiate basketball programs.
