2 weeks Ago By George Michalowski, Pittsburgh Sports Now
On Friday, Hoops Hype’s Michael Scotto reported that former Pitt sharpshooter Blake Hinson signed with the Golden State Warriors . Pitt athletics later confirmed the report. Scotto reported that Hinson and the Warriors agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract.
“An Exhibit 10 contract allows Hinson to compete for a two-way spot in training camp,” Pitt said in a press release. “The Warriors can also retain his G League rights if he does not make the NBA roster, which will allow him to play for the Santa Cruz Warriors.” Golden State Warriors and Blake Hinson have agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal, league sources told @hoopshype .
Hinson, who was on a two-way deal with the Lakers, chose the Warriors over several teams. He averaged 18.5 points and shot 42.
1% from 3-point range at Pittsburgh last season. pic.twitter.
com/OC8hyOBDYd — Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) September 19, 2024 Hinson went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft, but quickly after, signed a two-way deal with the Lakers and new head coach JJ Redick. Hinson played in the NBA Summer League for the Lakers alongside Bronny James and company. In the Summer League, Hinson had two games in which he hit at least five three pointers.
In his final game on July 21, Hinson lit up the Chicago Bulls for 25 points, three rebounds, and two assists in a dominant win for his Lakers’ squad. After the Summer League slate concluded, Hinson returned to Pitt — just months after leaving his home of two years. “Last week, Blake came back and he practiced with us,” Pitt head coach Jeff Capel said at the time.
“None of the five-on-five stuff, just the shooting stuff. Then, he got up in the morning and he got some of the guys, the guys that are in that position, the wing-forwards, so to speak.” “He left Summer League and came straight here,” Capel continued.
“I asked him [why], a little bit surprised by that. He’s like, ‘Well, Justin [Champagnie] did that for us, and so I wanted to make sure I was back with these guys working out with them.’ I never even thought about that.
I didn’t know Justin did that. So that was really cool.” Bub Carrington, Pitt’s first-round pick in this year’s draft, also returned to Pitt to work out with Hinson and the current team, to watch The Basketball Tournament, and to be around the program.
“I think it’s a great thing, and it shows the closeness that they have, and probably more important to me, that these guys know that they’re a part of something bigger than them,” Capel continued. “That’s what I’ve wanted, since that was my experience in college. I want all of the guys that wore this uniform to feel that.
When we had the Zoo Crew back, I spoke to those guys. One of the things I said to them, like, this is you guys’ program. It doesn’t matter if you played for Ben, Jamie, me, Kevin.
Whoever it was, y’all wore the jersey, you should always feel welcomed here. This is your place. It’s great to see these guys come back.
” Carrington, Hinson, and Champagnie were all in the building for Zoo Crew’s run in The Basketball Tournament. Hinson — a 6-foot-8 forward from Deltona, Fla. — is coming off a final season in Pittsburgh in which he averaged 18.
8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, shooting 45.4% from the field, 42.
1% from beyond the arc (on 261 attempts) and 66.9% from the free throw line. He hit the 20-point mark 14 times last season — erupting for a career-high 41 points in a win against Louisville.
He earned first-team All-ACC honors following his final season in Pittsburgh, setting numerous program records, including three points in a season (110) and three pointers in a game (nine, against West Virginia in December). This article first appeared on Pittsburgh Sports Now and was syndicated with permission..
