Former Adriatic League star Simonovic signs with the Bulls / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Chicago Bulls Credit Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls have signed rookie guard Ayo Dosunmu (38th-overall pick in 2021) and rookie center Marko Simonovic (44th-overall pick in 2020), the franchise announced.

Marko Simonovic

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In accordance with team policy, the terms of the contracts were not released. Nevertheless, according to reports, Simonovic is tied to a three-year, $4.3 million deal; the first two years are fully guaranteed, third is non-guaranteed. Ayo Dosunmu signed a two-year, $2.48M fully-guaranteed deal.

Simonovic continued his career overseas during the 2020-21 season after being drafted by the Bulls, playing for KK Mega Basket. He posted averages of 15.1 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 48,4% from the field, 32,2% from three and 77,4% from the free-throw line in 35 games (29 starts).

The native of Montenegro scored a season-high 28 points as a starter vs. KK Borac Cacak on Feb. 28 on 9-of-18 shooting, including a mark of 5-of-9 from beyond the arc. He posted a career-high 20 rebounds to go along with 19 points on June 11 vs. KK Crvena Zvezda, and Simonović's career-high in scoring came on Feb. 13, 2020, vs. KK Sloboda Uzice with 32 points on 12-of-20 shooting from the field. In 2020-21, Simonović was named MVP for Adriatic League Liga ABA Rounds 1 and 19, and to the 2020-21 Adriatic League Liga ABA Top 5.

The Montenegrin big man was selected one pick earlier than Jordan Nwora in last year’s draft. While Nwora made his NBA debut with the Bucks last season, Simonovic stayed in Europe to develop his game before playing overseas. His European success translated to the Summer League, where Simonovic averaged 12 points on 50% shooting, 4.4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.5 steals over 19 minutes for the Chicago Bulls.

Ayo Dosunmu signed a two-year, $2.48M fully-guaranteed deal. Dosunmu (6-5, 200) played three seasons of basketball at Illinois and capped his collegiate career with averages of 20.1 points (21st in the nation), 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists (2nd in Big Ten) and 1.1 steals over 28 games in 2020-21. He is the only NCAA player over the last 11 seasons to post averages of at least 20.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists.

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