The Chicago Bulls will enter training camp, which begins September 29, with 20 players instead of the maximum 21 after waiving rookie free agent Wooga Poplar. Despite the move, Poplar is expected to remain with the organization, joining the Windy City Bulls.
Following the NBA Draft, the Bulls signed Poplar to a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contract, meaning Chicago won’t incur a cap hit from the move. Currently, the Bulls have only two other players on Exhibit 10 deals: Caleb Grill and Mouhamadou Gueye.
Undrafted Wooga Poplar now set to join Windy City Bulls
Poplar spent four collegiate seasons with the University of Miami and Villanova. Over 136 games, the 6-foot-5 guard averaged 9.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.9 steals per game, shooting 44.9 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from three. His best season came after transferring to Villanova, where he posted career highs of 15.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
Since signing with the Bulls in July, Poplar appeared in four of five Summer League games. In 15.9 minutes per contest, the 22-year-old averaged 6.5 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.0 assists while shooting 39.1 percent from the field. His standout performance came in Chicago’s Summer League finale against the Utah Jazz, where he totaled 12 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 23 minutes as a starter.
After signing an Exhibit 10 contract, Poplar was expected to be waived and join the Windy City Bulls. While the G-League roster is still being finalized, he will likely team up with Grill, Gueye, and two-way signees Emanuel Miller, Lachlan Olbrich, and Yuki Kawamura. Furthermore, he'll team up with Jean Jacques Boissy, who was drafted over the summer in the NBA G-League International Draft.
Poplar will join Grill and Boissy as combo guards on the Windy City Bulls. Like Grill, he is a reliable shooter, hitting over 38.5 percent from three in his junior and senior seasons. However, the former Wildcat offers more as a playmaker and defender.
Soon to join the Windy City Bulls, Poplar will make his debut on November 8 in a home matchup against the Wisconsin Herd. Chicago’s G-League affiliate struggled last season, finishing with an Eastern Conference–worst 11-23 record.
Still, there’s plenty to be excited about with the Windy City Bulls. Rookies Poplar and Grill are dynamic shooters, while Kawamura adds a unique flair. Miller and Olbrich bring the toughness the Bulls’ front office has been looking for.