The Dallas Mavericks have signed rookie free agent forwards Freddie Gillespie and Devonte Patterson.
The signings are likely non-guarantee deals that merely bring the two players to training camp.
Gillespie (6-9, 245) went undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft after finishing his college career at Baylor. Last season, as a senior, he was named the Big 12 Most Improved Player while garnering Second Team All-Big 12 and Big-12 All-Defensive Team accolades. Gillespie also became the first Baylor men’s basketball player to earn Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors.
The former walk-on transfer led the Bears to a 26-4 record last season, including five weeks ranked as the nation’s No. 1 team, the longest streak by any program since 2015. He averaged 9.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 2.2 blocks and 28.4 minutes per game in 30 games (all starts) and ranked third in the Big 12 in both redounding and blocked shots.
Prior to playing at Baylor, Gillespie earned All-MIAC and All-MIAC Defensive Team honors for Division III Carleton College. The Saint Paul, Minnesota, native did not begin playing basketball until eighth grade and stood at 5-11 entering high school.
Gillespie will wear No. 32 for Dallas.
Patterson (6-7, 205) also went undrafted in 2020 after finishing his college career at Prairie View A&M, where he helped the Panthers to back-to-back regular season titles and undefeated record at home in his two seasons with the program (2019, 2020). Last season, as a senior, he averaged 15.8 points (.465 FG%), 6.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 28.8 minutes in 24 games (19 starts) en route to garnering SWAC Player of the Year honors.
The Bridgeport, Texas, native played his first two collegiate seasons at Ranger College (NJCAA) before transferring to Prairie View A&M. He led Bridgeport High School to the UIL Class 4A state championship in 2015.
Patterson will wear No. 23 for the Mavericks.
The Mavericks’ 20-man training camp roster is now complete.
