Dayton’s Charles Cooke signs as free agent

Cooke, Scoochie Smith were not drafted Thursday

Former Dayton Flyers Charles Cooke and Scoochie Smith did not hear their names called in the NBA Draft on Thursday.

Cooke signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Timberwolves after the draft, according to ESPN’s Chris Haynes. Scoochie Smith told Cox Media Group on Friday morning that he had signed with the Boston Celtics.

RELATED: Scoochie Smith finds new home

In the previous three seasons, Dayton’s Devin Oliver, Jordan Sibert and Dyshawn Pierre have all gone undrafted and gotten a chance in the summer leagues.

RELATED: Cooke made big impact with Flyers

In the weeks leading up to the draft, Cooke worked out for the Trail Blazers, Jazz, Pelicans, Timberwolves and others. Smith had workouts with the Knicks, Raptors, Mavericks and Rockets.

Negele Knight remains the last Dayton player to be drafted. The Phoenix Suns selected him in the second round in 1990. Knight played in the NBA until 1999 and scored 1,699 points.

Jim Paxson is Dayton’s last first-round pick. Portland drafted him in 1979. He scored more points in the NBA (11,199) than any Dayton player.

RELATED: Pistons draft Kennard

The only current Dayton basketball alum in the NBA is Brian Roberts, who appeared in 41 games with the Charlotte Hornets last season. He’s an unrestricted free agent this summer.

RELATED: Who is Scoochie Smith

Chris Wright played in 32 games in the NBA from 2012-14. Chris Johnson appeared in 147 games from 2013-16.

Nineteen Dayton basketball players have played in the NBA, starting with Bucky Bockhorn in 1958 with the Cincinnati Royals.

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