Toby Okani Signs 10-Day Contract, Becomes 4th Mountaineer in the NBA This Season

Well, the 2024-25 West Virginia men's basketball team has now officially produced two NBA players as former Mountaineer forward Tobi Okani has signed a 10-day contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, joining the same organization as his former college teammate, Javon Small.

What is a 10-day contract?

Well, it's basically an opportunity for teams to take a look at younger, unproven players without giving them a guaranteed deal and instead, paying them the league minimum during that timeframe.

The contract covers ten days or three games, whichever comes first. Players can sign up to two 10-day contracts in a season before they are either released or signed for the remainder of the year. Because Memphis only has six games left in its season, it will be able to sign him to two 10-day contracts if they choose.

Okani's season

Okani went undrafted last summer and eventually signed a G League deal with the Westchester Knicks, who are, of course, the affiliate of the New York Knicks. In 34 games this season with the G League Knicks, Okani averaged 5.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game while shooting 35% from the floor and 27% from three-point range.

His offense hasn't been as productive as he would like, but he's making up for it with the work he's doing on the defensive end, particularly on the perimeter, where his length can be bothersome for three-point shooters.

Considering the Grizzlies are already eliminated from postseason contention, their focus has shifted to evaluating the roster for the future, and that includes taking a look at guys like Okani, who they've had their eyes on at the lower level.

Will he stick in Memphis or in the NBA?

Feb 19, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Toby Okani (5) dribbles against Cincinnati Bearcats forward Dillon Mitchell (23) during the first half at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images | Ben Queen-Imagn Images

There's a chance, but it's probably a long shot, if I'm being honest. Even on a rebuilding team like Memphis, to stick in the NBA, you have to have one or two traits that a team can rely on you for. Obviously, it's not shotmaking for Okani, and it's probably not rebounding either. Can he do it with defense? Possibly, but even there, he still has some work to do to be able to hold his own against the best players in the world.

Okani becomes the fourth former Mountaineer to be on an NBA roster this season, joining Jevon Carter (Chicago Bulls/Orlando Magic), Miles McBride (New York Knicks), and Javon Small (Memphis Grizzlies). Well, that is if you don't count Oscar Tshiebwe, who has played in 22 games this season with the Utah Jazz.