Antetokounmpo on Mavericks roster as season gets underway

Former Dayton forward expected to move to Texas Legends when G League starts play

Former Dayton Flyers forward Kostas Antetokounmpo, the last player taken in the NBA Draft in June, starts the NBA season on the roster of the Dallas Mavericks, though he's expected to soon report to the franchise's G League affiliate, the Texas Legends.

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The Mavericks play at the Phoenix Suns at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Legends begin play Nov. 3.

This is the second straight year Dayton has had a player start the season on a NBA roster. Like Charles Cooke last season with the New Orleans Pelicans, Antetokounmpo is with the Mavericks on a two-way contract. Teams can spend up to 45 days in the NBA on the two-way contracts with the rest of their time spent in the G League.

Antetokounmpo played in four preseason games with the Mavericks. He averaged 4.8 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.0 block and 6.7 minutes per game while shooting 87.5% (7 of 8) from the floor.

» KOSTAS STORIES: High ceilingTrying to live up to his nameA star in victory over Saint Louis

According to the NBA, Antetokounmpo is one of 108 international players from 42 countries and territories on NBA opening-night rosters. The Mavericks have a league-high eight international players.

If Antetokounmpo sees any action for Dallas, he will be the 21st former Flyer to play in the NBA. Here’s the list of the first 20: Bucky Bockhorn (1958-65); Roger Brown (1967-75); Charles Cooke (2017-18); Johnny Davis (1976-86); Henry Finkel (1966-75); Chuck Grigsby (1954-55); Chris Harris (1955-56); Bobby Joe Hooper (1968-69); John Horan (1955-56); Chris Johnson (2012-16); Negele Knight (1990-99); Don May (1968-75); Don Meineke (1952-57); Jim Palmer (1958-61); Jim Paxson Jr. (1979-90); Jim Paxson Sr. (1956-58);; Brian Roberts (2012-17); Donald Smith (1974-75); Sedric Toney (1985-90); and Chris Wright (2011-14).

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