The rights of former Indiana University standout Christian Watford have been acquired by the Fort Wayne Mad Ants — the NBA D-League team owned by the Indiana Pacers — the team announced Monday night. In a deal with the the Reno Bighorns (Sacramento Kings affiliate), the Mad Ants traded Kadeem Jack, who joined the Pacers late for training camp this past October.
Former IU teammates Will Sheehey and Christian Watford squared off in a D-League game last season.
The deal is pending Jack passing a physical.
“This trade was an opportunity for us to acquire the rights to a player with great history in Indiana Basketball,” Mad Ants GM Brian Levy said in a statement. “Not only could Christian help us on the court, but he’s also a household name in this area.
“We also want to thank Kadeem for his hard work during his time with the team. We wish him the best of luck in Reno.”
LISTEN: Podcast with Mad Ants GM Brian Levy
Watford will not join the Mad Ants immediately, a league source told VigilantSports.com. The move was made for the franchise to acquire his rights for the future.
Watford, who graduated from IU in 2013, was on the Pacers’ Summer League team in July for the second time of his career. Last season, he played 27 games with the Maine Red Claws and averaged 12 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
From 2011: Watford’s buzzer-beater lifts Indiana past No. 1 Kentucky
Earlier Monday, overseas reporter David Pick reported that Watford was auditioning to play once again in Israel. It’s a one-week tryout on a team with former Hoosier big man Marco Killingsworth.
Source: Ex-Celtics forward Christian Watford is auditioning in Israel for deal with Kiryat Gat.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) January 4, 2016