Chicago Bulls Sign Bronson Koenig to compete in training camp

According to ESPN writer Jonathan Givony, former Wisconsin Badger standout Bronson Koenig signed an “exhibit nine” training camp contract with the Chicago Bulls today.

The 6-foot-3-inch guard from La Crosse Wis. went undrafted last summer before tagging along with the Milwaukee Bucks Summer League squad. In five games, he averaged 5.2 points on 29.4 percent from the field.

He signed a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks on July 6, but the team waived him on Sept. 21.

Koenig played a complementary role in his first two seasons at Wisconsin and probably benefited from all the attention future NBAers Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker warranted. However, when those two graduated, Koenig continued to thrive in a starring role and improved his numbers each season.

Chart per SportsReference.com.

Koenig earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors during his senior year.

Koenig was always at his best when the lights were the brightest. A legit big shot maker, he helped an overachieving Wisconsin team make deep NCAA tournament runs each year he was on the team. During his senior season, he averaged 19.3 points on 44.4 percent from the field in three NCAA tournament games and during his junior year he hit this shot to give the Badgers an upset win over No. 2 ranked Xavier in the Round of 32.

Koenig is a highly cerebral point guard who knows how to defer to better teammates. He can create for himself and others, plays hard on defense, and has shown that he has a clutch gene (not that he’s getting any chance to show it this season but....).

Realistically though, barring massive improvements, Koenig won’t make the team. He will compete with about six other players for the final two active roster spots meaning he’d have to beat out guys like Diamond Stone, David Nwaba, Antonio Blakeney, etc. to earn the spot.

Now, for the moment everybody has been waiting for.... The Iowa State connection.

Also, Koenig played at Wisconsin with Duje Dukan, the son of Bulls Director of International Scouting Ivica Dukan.