Chicago has waived undrafted rookie shooting guard Wooga Poplar ahead of training camp, steering him toward a likely G League path with Windy City.
The Bulls made the roster call public through the league’s player transaction log, cutting the undrafted rookie who had arrived on an Exhibit 10 training camp contract. That non-guaranteed agreement made this outcome likely, but it does not end Poplar’s professional pursuit.
Under the structure of an Exhibit 10 deal, Poplar becomes a prime candidate to sign with Chicago’s G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls, on an affiliate contract. If he stays on the Windy City roster for at least 60 days, he could earn a bonus of up to $85,300. That financial cushion matters for players trying to bridge the gap to the NBA.
Wooga Poplar comes into the pro ranks as a 6-foot-5 wing who spent three seasons with the Miami Hurricanes before transferring to Villanova for his senior year. At Villanova he averaged 15.3 points while shooting .460/.387/.856 and added 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He appeared in every outing for the 21-15 Wildcats and earned All-Big East Third Team recognition.
Those numbers paint the picture of a player who can both score and rebound at a high collegiate level. The three-point percentage and free-throw accuracy stand out. His ability to stretch the floor will appeal to coaches seeking wing shooters who can also crash the glass.
Yet the transition to the NBA is steep. Poplar must show he can defend on the perimeter and hold up against quicker, longer wings. He also needs to sharpen decision-making against pro schemes. The G League offers a testing ground where he can refine those skills under pro coaching and play against seasoned opponents.
For Chicago, this move keeps training camp flexibility intact. The Bulls now enter camp with a leaner roster and a couple of Exhibit 10 signees still in the mix. The team has signed ex-University of Missouri guard Caleb Grill and former University of Pittsburgh power forward/center Mouhamadou Gueye to Exhibit 10 deals as it finalizes its summer roster picture.
Roster battles in late September and early October often hinge on small margins. Exhibit 10 contracts let teams assess talent briefly while preserving long-term cap flexibility. For players like Poplar, those deals offer a clear but narrow runway: impress quickly or take the G League detour and earn a shot through performance.
Windy City should give Poplar regular minutes if he signs an affiliate contract. Consistent playing time would allow him to showcase shooting range, rebound tenacity and defensive instincts. Strong G League showings have lifted many players into two-way contracts and, eventually, full NBA deals.
This chapter is hardly a full stop. Poplar’s collegiate tape shows a productive scorer and a willing rebounder who can affect games. The Bulls waived him with intent, not finality. If he takes the Windy City route and delivers on the court, he could yet become a name NBA rosters take seriously during the grind of the season.