INDIANAPOLIS, IN—Multiple sources confirmed that the Indiana Pacers signed former Rutgers forward Kadeem Jack to a training camp deal.
Jack, who graduated in May with a degree in Journalism and Media Studies, is the first Scarlet Knight to be signed by an NBA team since center Hamady N’Diaye was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the 2010 NBA Draft.
The length and value of the contract were not immediately disclosed.
Jack, a four-star recruit out of Rice High School in New York, flourished at Rutgers once Eddie Jordan took over as head coach prior to the 2013-14 season.
As a redshirt junior in 2013-14, Jack was the Scarlet Knights’ leading rebounder.
Starting in 32 of the team’s 33 contests, he totaled 6.8 boards per game. He also chipped in 14.3 points per game, second on the team.
Playing against tougher competition after joining the Big Ten while battling a nagging hand injury, Jack’s numbers dipped slightly as a redshirt senior in 2014-15. Still, he was very impressive.
Serving as a team co-captain as a senior, he established himself as a team leader as well as one of the Scarlet Knights’ most well balanced players.
He averaged 13.0 points per game as well as 6.4 rebounds, good for second on the team in both categories.
He played a big role in Rutgers’ mammoth upset over then-No. 4 Wisconsin this past January, making a team-high eight field goals on his way to 20 points and four rebounds.
Rutgers would go on to defeat the eventual national runners-up 67-62.
The 22-year old Queens native also showed vast improvement on defense as a redshirt senior, recording a career-high 28 steals.
Jack was also a talented shot blocker during his time on the banks, finishing his Rutgers career with 100 blocks, tying Gene Armstead for 11th on the Rutgers’ all-time list.
The signing of Jack means the Pacers’ roster now sits at 18 players. Active NBA rosters have a 15-man limit, meaning Jack will have to impress in the preseason if he wants to make the cut with Indiana once the regular season starts.
The Pacers’ seven-game preseason schedule tips off on Saturday as they host the New Orleans Pelicans. Indiana’s regular season opener will take place on Wednesday, October 28 when the team visits the Toronto Raptors.
