Former Eastern Washington star Jacob Wiley signs two-way contract with Brooklyn Nets

Thanks partly to the NBA’s introduction of a new salary wrinkle, former Eastern Washington star Jacob Wiley will make a decent living this year playing the game he loves.

On Monday, the Brooklyn Nets announced the signing of Wiley to a two-way contract. The deal is for two years, with the Nets holding the option on the second year.

For Wiley, it means he’s a bona fide member of the Nets, and he’s eligible to earn a pro-rated NBA salary for up to 45 days this season.

Wiley flew from Seattle to New York on Monday to sign the contract.

“It’s incredible,” said his agent, Alvin Snow, himself a former star at Eastern. “It means he’s out there (in New York) for the rest of the season.”

A two-way player for the Nets will provide services primarily to the team’s NBA Gatorade League affiliate – the Long Island Nets – but can spend up to 45 days with Brooklyn, not including any time prior to the start of Long Island’s training camp and at the conclusion of their season.

NBA rosters will grow from 15 spots to 17 thanks to the addition of a pair of “two-way players” that can spend up to 45 days on an NBA roster.

Under these contracts, which are similar to those used in Minor League Baseball, a player will be able to make an NBA salary on a pro-rata basis while with the parent club, while also being able to earn his G League salary when with the affiliate team.

Wiley, from Newport, Wash., quietly impressed scouts during the run-up to the NBA draft in June. The 6-foot-8 power forward wasn’t selected, but later signed a free-agent deal with the Nets.

In one season at Eastern, Wiley averaged 20.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.8 blocks while playing in 34 games. He was the Big Sky Conference Most Valuable Player and earned first team honors after finishing the season ranked first in the conference in field goal percentage, rebounding and blocked shots per game and sixth in scoring.