Arizona State product Luguentz Dort pursued his NBA dream the hard way. He opted out of ASU early but wasn't drafted. He later signing a two-way with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He was up and down between the Thunder and its G-League affiliate last year, playing in games with the Thunder but practicing with the G-League affiliate to maximize the 45-day window a player has before he has to be placed on a roster or let go.
Dort's tenacity, particularly on the defensive end of the floor, paid off and he signed a multi-year contract in June.