Ex-Xavier star averaged 8.8 points on 52.2% shooting, including 57.1% from 3-point range, in four preseason games
Lakers guard Quincy Olivari drives as the Golden State Warriors’ De’Anthony Melton defends during the first half of their preseason game on Friday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
After his best performance of the preseason with the Lakers, and with his training camp contract about to end, Quincy Olivari made his wishes clear.
“I just want a job in the NBA,” Olivari said Friday night after the Lakers’ loss to the Golden State Warriors in their preseason finale in San Francisco.
His desires came to fruition Saturday, with the Lakers signing Olivari to a two-way contract after his impressive showing when he got playing opportunities in the team’s exhibitions.
In order to make room for Olivari on the roster, the Lakers will waive big man Colin Castleton, making Olivari, Christian Koloko and Armel Traore the franchise’s three two-way contract players going into the 2024-25 season.
An undrafted 6-foot-2 guard out of Xavier who started his college career at Rice, Olivari originally joined the Lakers on an Exhibit 10 contract in August.
Olivari, 23, sparked the Lakers’ comeback victory over the Bucks in Milwaukee on Oct. 10, the team’s first preseason win under Redick, scoring 11 fourth-quarter points in nine minutes.
He led the Lakers with 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting (5 for 9 from 3-point range) to go with six rebounds in 39 minutes on Friday against the Warriors.
Olivari finished the preseason with averages of 8.8 points (52.5% shooting, 57.1% from 3-point range) and 3.5 rebounds in 13.4 minutes.