Update: According to sources, Caleb Homesley has not been traded to the Pacers and is still with the Wizards.

The 2021 NBA Draft was held Thursday night, July 29. The draft began with a Liberty connection as Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham was the No. 1 overall selection by the Detroit Pistons. Cunningham and the Cowboys defeated Liberty in March in the first round of the NCAA Tournament; however, the Flames’ defense, led by senior Elijah Cuffee, held Cunningham 3 of 14 shooting in 33 minutes.

That wouldn’t be the last Liberty connection on draft night as former Liberty guard Caleb Homesley was part of a transaction, according to Washington Wizards Insider Quinton Mayo. Homesley was traded to the Indiana Pacers by the Washington Wizards. As part of the deal, the Pacers will acquire Homesley and former Virginia Cavalier Anthony Gill.

In May, Homesley signed a multi-year deal with the Wizards. Homesley was in training camp with the Wizards last fall on an Exhibit 10 contract after going undrafted. He has worked out with fellow Liberty alum and Wizards assistant coach Alex McLean. The 6’6″, 205 pound rookie played 10 minutes in one preseason game with the Wizards, scoring two points while grabbing four rebounds and shooting one of seven from the field and zero of five from three point range.

He was waived by the Wizards shortly before the beginning of the NBA season, and was then assigned to the Erie BayHawks, the New Orleans Pelicans’ G League affiliate, after the Wizards’ G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go were among a few teams who opted out of the 2021 G League season. In 15 games with the BayHawks, Homesley spent much of his time in the starting lineup and averaged 9.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in the Orlando bubble.

Homesley finished his Liberty career as one of the best players in school history. He was a two-year ASUN First Team All-Conference selection, including being named the 2020 ASUN Player of the Year and Tournament MVP during his senior campaign as he helped the Flames to 59 wins and back to back ASUN regular season and Tournament championships his final two seasons. Homesley finished his Liberty career No. 10 on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,539 points and No. 8 on the all-time rebounding list with 703 rebounds.

He is the fourth player in Liberty school history to sign an NBA deal. Liberty’s previous players that have signed NBA deals include Julius Nwosu (1995/San Antonio Spurs), Peter Aluma (1998/Sacramento Kings), and Seth Curry (2013/Memphis Grizzlies).