Jerel was my favorite MU player his four years in the program. DJ came in with greater hype, and Wesley was the in-state kid, and both were terrific players, but there was something about Jerel that just made me pull for him from Day 1.
I still have the video of the Chicago-New York All-Star game following Jerel's senior year of high school, and I knew right then he was special. Little did I know, though, that he would end up second team A-A.
A 10-day contract doesn't mean all that much, but it's better than no 10-day contract.
Out of curiosity, how much is a 10-day contract worth?
Technically a 10 day contract can be for whatever you want to pay. Reality... there is a formula based on your tenure in the league. The longer you have been in the league, the more it is. For guys like Jerel, he has only been on 10 day contracts, never really "in the league", so it goes like this....
1/170th of the league minimum salary per day. Minimum salary is $507,336. So, $29,843. Not bad for 10 days of work.
Here is the best part.... He signed on April 1. Their season ends on April 14. So, will they sign someone else for 4 days? In all likelihood, Jerel will get a second 10 day contract. With the four additional days he should make another $11-12k. Should they pull off some wins coupled with some losses, he could end up with some playoff money, but doubtful.
Same goes for Buycks, but since Buycks had an actual year in the league, he may get a bit more.
"When March Madness spills into April.... that's the gravy!" - Homer Simpson
Don't underestimate the fact that Jerry Sichting is an assistant coach for the Suns and knows Jerel from his time here. Plus, many teams will sign players to 10 day contracts at this time of the season so that they can get an early look at them and even get them under contract for the summer and potentially for training camp next fall. Good deal for Jerel on several fronts.