Memphis Hustle acquire two players in 2020-21 NBA G League draft

Memphis, Tenn. — The Memphis Hustle, the NBA G League affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies, added two players today in the first round of the 2020-21 NBA G League Draft by selecting Freddie Gillespie with the No. 2 overall pick and Anthony Cowan Jr. with the No. 16 overall pick.

Gillespie (6-9, 245) was selected to the 2019-20 All-Big 12 Second Team and 2019-20 Big 12 All-Defensive team after posting 9.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 28.4 minutes over 30 games (all starts) last season at Baylor. Gillespie ranked third in the Big 12 in total rebounds (271) and blocks (66) during the 2019-20 season. In his final season at Baylor, Gillespie shot 55.0 percent from the field and 68.4 percent from the free-throw line.

The 23-year-old St. Paul, Minn. native appeared in 56 games (41 starts) over his two-year career at Baylor (2018-20) and averaged 7.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 23.7 minutes while shooting 58.2 percent from the field. Before transferring to Baylor in 2017, Gillespie spent two seasons at Carleton College (Division III) where he averaged 8.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 31 career games (23 starts). After signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 1, 2020, Gillespie appeared in one preseason game with the Mavericks before later being released on Dec. 18.

Cowan Jr. (6-0, 170) was selected to the 2019-20 All-Big 10 First Team and named a 2019-20 Wooden Award Finalist, given to the nation’ top college basketball player. Cowan Jr. appeared in 31 games (all starts) during his senior season with the Terrapins, posting averages of 16.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 34.7 minutes per game. Cowan Jr. ranked fifth in the Big 10 in total points (506) and assists (147) during the 2019-20 season. In his senior season at Maryland, Cowan Jr. led the Terrapins in points and assists per game.

The 23-year-old Bowie, Md. native started all 130 games over his four-year career at Maryland (2016-20) and averaged 14.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 33.8 minutes while shooting 40.5 percent from the field. During his junior season, Cowan Jr. was named to the 2018-19 All-Big 10 Second Team while averaging 15.6 points and 4.4 assists per game. Cowan Jr. was named to the Big Ten-All Defensive Team during his sophomore season (2017-18) along with Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr (Michigan State).

The final Memphis Hustle roster will be announced in the coming days.

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