They say homecomings are sweet, but what happens next is even sweeter.
Well, Maalik Wayns, a former player for both Roman Catholic and Villanova, is about to find out if that is true. The undrafted guard is reportedly set to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers and stay in the city he’s played in his entire life.
Wayns recently Tweeted the following, and was also congratulated by many of his friends on “signing with the hometown Sixers”:
Dreams do come true never let somebody tell you what you can’t be or where u can’t go #tearsofjoy #Amen
— Maalik Wayns (@MaalikWayns2) July 27, 2012
Will Wayns’ NBA career be successful (photo courtesy of Getty Images).
In his junior season at ‘Nova, Wayns averaged 17.6 points, 4.6 assists, and one steal per game while shooting over 41% from the field. He was advised to stay on for his senior season, but decided to enter the 2012 NBA Draft and risk not being taken late in the second round. Like fellow Philadelphia product Scoop Jardine, Wayns wasn’t picked up by any team and was instead worked out by both the Golden State Warriors and Orlando Magic in the Orlando summer league.
If the reports are true, Wayns will be under the same contract as Lavoy Allen which means he will be on the team, whether in the NBA or in the D-League, for at least one year while making $473,604.
The Sixers suffered a hit in the backcourt when Xavier Silas was injured during a Summer League game, but quickly responded by signing veteran Royal Ivey to mentor and back up starter Jrue Holiday. With most of the active roster already decided, Wayns will have to beat out former Kansas State guard Jacob Pullen if he wants to stay on an NBA roster and avoid being sent to the D-League.
Whatever happens, Wayns’ dream of being signed by an NBA team have been realized. Let’s just see what will become of his career back in his hometown no less.
You credited Getty after I commented on this article. How about these?
http://khandyman.com/2012/07/19/5-eagles-to-watch-in-training-camp/, http://khandyman.com/2012/06/28/philadelphia-76ers-2012-nba-draft-picks-results-grades-and-analysis/?
How about all of those images on the home page? That’s someones work, and not yours.
No, I didn’t. It was there the whole time.
And the images on the front page are credited in the description, which is the only way I can do that.
Do you even credit these pictures that you use? They’re professionally done and definitely not by you, so it’s illegal for you not to even credit these pictures. I’ll talk to my friend at Getty Images about this as well.
What do you mean? I did credit it “to Getty Images”.
Here’s another example: http://khandyman.com/2012/07/31/philadelphia-76ers-why-2012-13-is-make-or-break-year-for-doug-collins/