Michigan State power forward
Deyonta Davis, a projected lottery pick, is part of a large class of prospects that
BDA Sports has signed for this month’s NBA draft.
BDA Sports founder and President Bill Duffy and agent Nima Namakian represent Davis, who was at No. 13 on website DraftExpress.com’s mock draft last week.
“He has tremendous potential,” Duffy said. “I think ultimately he can play four [power forward] or five [center]. He’s got a huge body, great touch for the game, shot blocker, rebounder — very, very versatile.”
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Deyonta Davis is projected as a first-round selection in this month’s NBA draft.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
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Duffy described Davis, who is 6 feet, 11 inches tall, as quiet and focused on becoming a better player.
BDA Sports also signed Kansas forward Cheick Diallo and UNLV guard Patrick McCaw.
“We think Cheick Diallo and Patrick McCaw are going to be stars, ultimately,” Duffy said.
Duffy represents Diallo, No. 23 in Draft-Express.com’s mock draft last week. McCaw, who was in the second round at No. 40 in the DraftExpress.com mock draft, is represented by Duffy and BDA Sports agent Marlon Harrison.
In addition to those players, BDA Sports agent Ugo Udezue is representing Villanova forward Daniel Ochefu.
Agent Rade Filipovich signed Wyoming guard Josh Adams, USC forward Nikola Jovanovic and two players from the University of Hawaii, forward Stefan Jankovic and guard Aaron Valdes. Agent Kevin Bradbury is representing Winthrop guard Jimmy Gavin and Texas A&M forward Danuel House.
The NBA draft will be June 23 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
> VALENTINE FOR WASSERMAN: Wasserman has signed a large NBA class for representation, including two highly rated prospects, Gonzaga power forward/center Domantas Sabonis and Michigan State guard Denzel Valentine.
Jason Ranne — who rejoined Wasserman as chief operating officer and executive vice president of team sports last year after working as director of strategic planning for the Oklahoma City Thunder — and agent Greg Lawrence are representing Sabonis. Wasserman basketball practice co-head B.J. Armstrong represents Valentine.
Website DraftExpress.com had Sabonis at No. 18 and Valentine at No. 20 on its mock draft last week.
Wasserman also signed Texas A&M guard Alex Caruso, Iowa State forward Georges Niang, UNLV center Stephen Zimmerman, George Washington forward Patricio Garino and USC guard Julian Jacobs.
Wasserman also signed Croatian League players Marko Arapovic, a power forward/center who plays for Cedevita, and Nik Slavica, a forward for Cibona. The firm also signed forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas of Unicaja, which competes in the Liga ACB and the Euroleague, and Axel Bouteille, a forward who plays for French professional team Élan Chalon.
Armstrong, Ranne, Lawrence, Darren Matsubara and Makhtar Ndiaye represent the players.
> WME SIGNS RIDDICK: WME has signed ESPN NFL analyst and former NFL player and club executive Louis Riddick for representation in broadcasting and endorsement work.
Riddick will be represented by agents across WME and IMG led by agents Jim Ornstein and Ira Stahlberger.
Riddick played safety in the NFL from 1991 to 1998 and later worked as a scout and director of player personnel for the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles. He has been with the network since 2013, according to his ESPN bio.
Riddick was formerly represented by Paul Sheehy, NFL agent and president and general counsel of ProStar Sports Agency.
“While I am happy to have helped Louis launch his media career and gain a strong foothold in the industry, our primary relationship for over 20 years has been working on all things NFL, and I will continue to represent him in that capacity should those opportunities arise,” Sheehy said.
Liz Mullen can be reached at lmullen@sportsbusinessjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @SBJLizMullen.
