Ben Humrichous inks an Exhibit 10 deal with the Brooklyn Nets after going undrafted

Ben Humrichous, the former Illinois forward, has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Brooklyn Nets, setting up an early chance to earn a place in the NBA organization after going undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft. The move, reported by Yahoo Sports on June 26, reflects the next step for a player who had to build his professional runway without draft status.

Exhibit 10 contracts are often used by NBA teams as a mechanism to secure an offseason prospect and keep open pathways for training-camp evaluation. While the Nets’ specific internal goals and timeline are not detailed in the report, the contract type indicates that Brooklyn intends to bring Humrichous into its orbit quickly, where performance in workouts and team activities can determine how far the opportunity goes.

Humrichous’ path is notable for how long it took him to reach this stage. Per the Yahoo Sports report, he was overlooked coming out of high school, then kept working until he earned a larger look at the next level and eventually reached the point where an NBA contract offer became a real option. The NBA Draft omission does not eliminate the possibility of a roster role, but it does shift the start of a career from selection day to “prove it” evaluations.

For the Nets, the decision to pursue an undrafted forward underscores how Brooklyn’s offseason work can blend player development with roster depth planning. Teams across the league use these signings to add size, shooting and screening or playmaking versatility opportunities depending on the player’s strengths, and to create competition for the remaining frontcourt minutes that can fluctuate between preseason, two-way roles, and injury-related recall needs. Even when a signing does not translate into immediate minutes, it can shape the depth chart and the learning environment for the entire group.

The contract also places Humrichous on a consequential proving ground. The Nets are a franchise built around modern roster flexibility, and for players without draft pedigree, the margin for error is usually small in the first exposure window. Humrichous’ ability to translate his college readiness to NBA-level speed, spacing, and physicality will likely determine whether the Nets keep building his case into the regular season.

From a player development standpoint, Humrichous’ situation is part of a larger pattern in the NBA talent pipeline: collegiate performance can earn attention, but undrafted players often must convert that attention into momentum through consistent showing in team settings. That means the early months with Brooklyn can be decisive for his long-term role, even if the initial contract is not a guarantee of playing time.

What to watch next is straightforward. The Nets’ offseason activities, training-camp evaluation, and the frontcourt rotations during preseason will reveal how the organization sees Humrichous fitting into its plans. For Humrichous, the objective will be to show reliable decision-making, physical durability, and a repeatable skill set that survives against NBA-caliber competition.

Until additional confirmation arrives from team communications or NBA transaction records, the most concrete item on the table remains the Exhibit 10 signing itself, as reported by Yahoo Sports. Further details on his status and the timing of any potential role expansion should be treated as to-be-determined pending official updates.