While Alijah Martin was the only player hailing from the Magnolia State who heard his name called during the 2025 NBA Draft, a handful of guys who suited up for Mississippi universities a season ago have signed undrafted free agent deals.
Sean Pedulla (Portland Trail Blazers) and Matthew Murrell (Utah Jazz) from Ole Miss, along with Cameron Matthews (Houston Rockets) from Mississippi State, all signed Exhibit 10 contracts this week. The one-year, minimum salary deals give each a chance to fight for a roster spot before the regular season begins and can eventually be turned into two-way contracts, allowing the players to be rostered by the NBA squad while also being eligible to play for their G League affiliate.
Pedulla, who spent one year in Oxford after transferring from Virginia Tech, instantly became a leader for the first Rebel group in over two decades to make a run all the way to the Sweet 16. The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 15.4 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game while shooting over 44% from the field and over 39% from three-point range.
Murrell, a five-year player at Ole Miss out of Memphis, Tenn., etched his name in plenty of different categories inside the school’s record books. He finished as the all-time leader in games played (153), minutes on the floor (4,452), fourth in three-pointers made (261), tied for fourth in steals (179), and seventh in career scoring (1,788 points). In 2024-25, the 6-foot-4 guard averaged 10.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.
Matthews was a fan favorite in Starkville across his five seasons with the Bulldogs, battling in the post when needed and hitting clutch jump shots when needed more. The 6-foot-7 hybrid player, who spent time at both guard and forward, ended his career at Mississippi State with a school-record 167 games played. The Olive Branch native is the only player in SEC history to pile up at least 975 points, 850 rebounds, 375 assists, and 250 steals. As a graduate in 2024-25, his stat line rounded out at 7.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.
Another Mississippi player to earn an opportunity to prove himself at the next level is former Ole Miss forward Dre Davis. The Indianapolis native received a Summer League invite from the Brooklyn Nets. Starting in 34 games for Ole Miss last season, Davis averaged 10.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. He led the team in offensive rebounds and blocks.
Pedulla, Murrell, Matthews, and Davis will all get a chance to prove themselves when NBA Summer League play begins on July 5.
