Sixers officially sign first-round draft pick Jaden Springer

Despite much speculation that the Philadelphia 76ers were going to trade their 2021 NBA Draft first round pick, they held their position at no. 28 overall and selected Jaden Springer, guard out of the University of Tennessee. According to a team press release, Springer has officially signed his rookie contract with the Sixers. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

From the team’s release:

PHILADELPHIA – AUG. 4, 2021 – Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed its first-round pick Jaden Springer, whom it selected with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Springer, a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, led the Tennessee Volunteers in scoring as a freshman at 12.5 points per game, while also pacing the team in three-point percentage at .435 and total free throws made with 81. In 25 games during his lone collegiate season, the SEC All-Freshman Team selection posted a team-best six games of at least 20 points, also averaging 3.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.2 steals per contest. He is the son of Gary Springer, who was selected by the 76ers in the 1984 NBA Draft, and the cousin of current NBA player DeAndre’ Bembry, who played collegiately at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.

Springer will wear No. 11 for the 76ers.

I was aware that Jaden’s father Gary was a Sixers draft pick. However, I did not know that Springer is related to DeAndre’ Bembry (of the Toronto Raptors). Bembry, like Jaden, is from Charlotte, North Carolina. And Bembry played his college ball in the City of Brotherly Love at St. Joe’s. My guess is Springer and Bembry are close, not only being related and sharing a mutual love for basketball, but also growing up in the same city. Hopefully for the Sixers sake, Bembry has been filling Jaden in on acclimating to the NBA. And I’m sure DeAndre’ is giving Jaden all the pertinent Philadelphia information.

Delighted to see Springer has chosen to wear no. 11. I’m a fan of eleven, especially for a guard. Other recent Sixers to wear no. 11 include:

• The great and powerful Tony Bradley
• Forever two-way Sixer Demetrius Jackson
• Sauce Castillo, a.k.a. Nik Stauskas
• Man-it’d-be-nice-to-still-have-’em Jrue Holiday
• Raja Bell

If Springer can shoot it like Raja, I think Sixers fans will be pretty smitten with Springer.