The Miami Heat have signed standout point guard Zyon Pullin from the Florida Gators to a two-way contract following the 2024 NBA Draft. Despite not being selected in the draft, Pullin’s exceptional college career caught the attention of the Heat’s front office, securing him a place in their developmental system.
Pullin’s path to the NBA was paved by an impressive season at the University of Florida, where he posted averages of 15.4 points, 4.9 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game. His performance earned him a spot on the 2024 Coaches First-Team All-SEC and etched his name into the Florida record books. Notably, he set a new single-season record with a 3.77 assist-to-turnover ratio, the highest by any SEC player since 2000.
Florida head coach Todd Golden lauded Pullin’s contribution to the team, describing him as “the ultimate security blanket.” Golden emphasized Pullin’s ability to organize the offense and create opportunities for his teammates. Pullin’s offensive prowess was further evidenced by his ranking, tied for 8th in the nation in offensive rating among players with at least 20% of possessions used, according to KenPom.
Though primarily recognized for his playmaking skills, Pullin also showcased a dependable shooting ability, hitting 44.9% of his three-point attempts over 78 tries throughout the season. His scoring contributed significantly to a historic Florida offense, where he was part of the first trio in school history, alongside Walter Clayton Jr. and Tyrese Samuel, to each score 500 points in a single season.
Before transferring to the University of Florida, Pullin developed his game at UC Riverside. During his tenure there, he was a three-time All-Big West honoree, amassing 1,312 points over 109 games, demonstrating his consistency and durability at the collegiate level.
Looking ahead to his professional career, experts from RotoWire on NBA.com envision Pullin as a potential low-mistake, team-oriented backup point guard, comparable to Tyus Jones or Monte Morris. They highlight his excellent passing, ball security, and improved shooting as key strengths, while also noting areas for improvement such as his three-point shooting volume and finishing ability at the rim against NBA-level defenders.
As Pullin embarks on his professional journey with the Miami Heat, he aims to build on his collegiate success and continue developing his game. While the transition from undrafted free agent to regular NBA player is a daunting challenge, Pullin’s history of consistent improvement and his high basketball IQ suggest that he has the potential to make a meaningful impact at the next level.
