Cleveland Charge Select Sam Merrill With First Pick Of 2022-23 NBA G League Draft
Official Release /October 22, 2022
The Cleveland Charge selected Sam Merrill (6-4, 205, Utah State) with the first overall pick of the 2022-23 NBA G League Draft on Saturday afternoon, which was held virtually. The Wisconsin Herd selected Joe Wieskamp with the second overall selection, while the Greensboro Swarm selected Aaron Wheeler with the third pick.
In 2021-22, Merrill played six games with the Memphis Grizzlies and seven contests with the Memphis Hustle. Merrill averaged 14.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists during his time with the Hustle last season. The Albuquerque-native was selected No. 60 overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA Draft 2020 presented by State Farm®.
Weiskamp (6-6, 205, Iowa) spent time on a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs throughout the 2021-22 NBA season. The No. 41 overall pick in the NBA Draft 2021 presented by State Farm® appeared in 29 games for San Antonio last year, while also playing in 28 games with the Austin Spurs throughout the 2021-22 NBA G League calendar, where he averaged 15.4 points along with 4.0 rebounds.
Amauri Hardy (6-1, 200, NBA G League Ignite) was selected 10th overall by the Texas Legends, making him the first NBA G League Ignite player to be taken in the NBA G League Draft. Mayan Kiir (6-9, 220, New Mexico State) was selected 15th overall by the Westchester Knicks and is the first Basketball Africa League player to be taken in an NBA G League Draft.
Ryan Turell (6-7, 190, Yeshiva) was drafted 27th overall by the Motor City Cruise. Turell, who was named the 2021-22 NABC Division III Player of the Year, becomes the first Orthodox Jewish player to be selected in the NBA G League Draft.
Norris Cole (6-2, 170, Cleveland State) was drafted 45th by the Grand Rapids Gold. The NBA veteran won two NBA championships while with the Miami Heat in back-to-back seasons (2011-12, 2012-13). In six NBA seasons, Cole averaged 7.0 points and 2.7 assists.
Full results from the 2022-23 NBA G League Draft can be found here.