Bucks Sign Two Players to Compete at Training Camp

Point guard James Akinjo and center Liam Robbins, signed to Exhibit 10 contracts Tuesday, were first-team all-conference players in college. The Milwaukee Bucks begin training camp on Oct. 3.

Baylor Bears guard James Akinjo (11) drives against North Carolina Tar Heels guard Caleb Love (2) during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena. / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks have signed two players to fill out their roster for training camp, which begins Oct. 3.

On Tuesday evening, the Bucks announced that they have signed point guard James Akinjo and center Liam Robbins. Per The Athletic's Eric Nehm, both players have agreed to Exhibit 10 contracts, which allow them to participate in training camp and incentivize them to sign with Milwaukee's G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd, for the 2024-25 season.

Meet James Akinkjo

Akinjo, 23, already knows Wisconsin. Last season, the 6-foot-1 point guard spent time with the Herd and the Stockton Kings. In 14 games with Wisconsin, Akinjo averaged 9.7 points, 3.9 assists, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 21.3 minutes per game. He also played with the Bucks' summer-league team this past July, appearing in two games and totaling four points.

In college, Akinjo played for Georgetown, Arizona and Baylor. He was first-team All-Pac-12 in 2020 and first-team All-Big 12 in 2021.

Based on the tape, Akinjo shows a capability for attacking opposing defenses and finishing strong or kicking to find the open man.

Meet Liam Robbins

Injuries have been Robbins' nemesis. Last season, he was on an Exhibit 10 contract with the New Orleans Pelicans as a two-way candidate, but he suffered a stress reaction in his right fibula and was eventually waived.

Robbins, 25, was a star at Vanderbilt. In 26 games (15 starts) in 2022-23, he averaged 15.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks in 23 minutes. He was SEC Defensive Player of the Year, first-team All-SEC, and a finalist for national defensive player of the year. The 7-footer played primarily on the low blocks. but he also possessed an outside touch, knocking down 19 of 52 three-pointers (36.5%).

Solidifying that three-point efficiency could help Robbins' chances. He can look at Brook Lopez for inspiration.

Lopez attempted 31 threes in his first eight seasons. He made three.

In Year 9, Lopez abruptly added the outside shot to his skill set. In the eight seasons since, he has converted 35 percent of more than 2,600 three-point attempts.

Neither Akinjko nor Robbins will be expected to make the Milwaukee Bucks' official roster, but if they show promise, they can stay with the organization and join the Herd in Oshkosh.

All Exhibit 10 deals are fully non-guaranteed, allowing the Bucks to waive any of these signees before the 2024-25 regular season begins in late October.

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