The Atlanta Hawks waived Eli Ndiaye on New Year’s Eve, opening a two-way spot on the roster. Ndiaye suffered a torn labrum in a G League matchup on December 9th and received a season-ending surgery shortly after.
Ndiaye was signed shortly after going undrafted this past offseason and made a name for himself in summer league. While he only played 21 minutes before being sidelined for a wrist injury, he dropped 12 points and six boards in what was a dominant performance from the rookie.
This is the second two-way player to be waived this month, after Jacob Toppin also suffered a season-ending torn labrum. Toppin was replaced by Malik Williams, a stretch five who replaced N’Faly Dante’s spot as Onsi Saleh’s “developmental big.”
Ndiaye will be replaced by RayJ Dennis, a former Clippers and Pacers two-way player who was waived three days ago by Los Angeles.