After selecting Jaime Jaquez Jr. with the No. 18 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Miami Heat were not finished. While they had no more draft picks left, Pat Riley had his eyes set on something. That something, well, was the large group of players that did not hear their name called by Adam Silver at the podium. Yes, I’m talking about undrafted players.
From Duncan Robinson to Caleb Martin to Max Strus to Gabe Vincent, Miami’s core is made up of elite yet undrafted talent. The Heat have proved through Heat Culture that it doesn’t matter when or where you were drafted, if you even were. What matters is the work you put in after the process.
Can Pat Riley find more hidden gems that went undrafted? Only time will tell.
Caleb Daniels
Villanova guard Caleb Daniels signed an Exhibit 10 with the Miami Heat. Daniels averaged 14.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals on 39.4/33.2/85.8 shooting splits last season. Daniels was one of the most physical players in college basketball last year as a senior.
Sitting at 6’4 and 210 pounds, Daniels plays strong off the bounce, but also loves to play with his back to the basket and take contact. Daniels is a bully whenever he has the ball, attacking the basket left and right. If the Heat can fix his shot, Daniels will be another undrafted gem.
Justin Powell
Justin Powell, one of the best shooters in the entire country, agreed to an Exhibit 10 with the Miami Heat as well. Cue the Max Strus and Duncan Robinson comparisons. Not just because Strus and Robinson were undrafted but because Powell is also an elite three-point shooter.
Powell shot 42.6 percent from distance last year on 5.4 attempts for Washington State. As a junior, he averaged 10.4 points, showing intriguing facilitation chops as a 6’6” playmaker. It’ll be interesting to see how the Heat work with Powell. Bottom line, the Heat love shooters who can shoot spot-up (you can ask Robinson and Strus).
Source: Justin Powell recently completed pre-draft workouts with the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors. Powell is one of the best shooters in the country, shooting 44% on catch & shoot 3s, including an absurd 55% on open C&S 3s #BleedGreen #DubNation pic.twitter.com/QuBALlLZcP
— Mavs/Magic Draft (@MavsDraft) May 3, 2023
Taylor Funk
Utah State’s Taylor Funk agreed to join the Miami Heat for the NBA Summer League.
Funk averaged 13.4 points and 5.5 rebounds as a senior, helping USU have one of the most efficient offenses in America. Funk is a very good and confident shooter at 6-foot-8. Finishing his career strongly with an All-MWC Tournament performance, Funk played six years of college basketball and hovered around 37% from three the last two years. Funk creates space and can shoot through anyone with his quick release.
Miami just signed Taylor Funk…but this is Tyler Herro—you can’t fool us pic.twitter.com/pAPpIlln1f
— The Jover (@305heatbuckets) June 23, 2023
Patrick Gardner
Marist center Patrick Gardner has agreed to join the Miami Heat for NBA Summer League as well.
Gardner is 6’11 who has a quick trigger for his size (with a high release point) and is pure as a pick and pop guy. Gardner averaged 19.1 PTS, 6.6 REB, 2.0 AST, 1.0 BLK this season, earning All-MAAC honors and a Portsmouth Invitational nod.
The big man shot 38.3% from beyond the arc last season.
Drew Peterson
USC’s Drew Peterson has agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with the Heat. Peterson averaged 13.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists as a senior. Peterson has great footwork inside, has crafty turnarounds and step backs and can get to the cup decently well.
ANOTHER WHITE SHOOTER DREW PETERSON IS A HEAT 🫨 pic.twitter.com/EELAeQTrsr
— The Jover (@305heatbuckets) June 23, 2023