Now that the remainder of the NBA G League’s 2019/20 season has been officially canceled, the league is moving forward with its end-of-season awards, announcing today that Delaware Blue Coats big man Christ Koumadje has been named the NBAGL Defensive Player of the Year.
Koumadje, who went undrafted out of Florida State in 2019, signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Sixers last July. Philadelphia waived him before the season began and made him an affiliate player for the Blue Coats.
A G League rookie, Koumadje emerged as the league’s most fearsome rim protector almost immediately, averaging an NBAGL-best 4.0 blocks per game in 33 contests. The Chad native also averaged a double-double, recording 11.3 PPG and 10.9 RPG in just 26.4 minutes per contest. His most impressive outing came on February 1, when he logged a triple-double consisting of 18 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 blocks.
It’s not clear if or when Koumadje will get a shot at the NBA level with the 76ers or another team. Some recent NBAGL Defensive Player of the Year winners, including Chris Boucher (2019) and DeAndre Liggins (2014, 2016) have played rotation roles in the NBA.
Canton Charge swingman Sir’Dominic Pointer and Westchester Knicks forward Kenny Wooten were the top two runners-up in G League Defensive Player of the Year voting. Wooten is on a two-way contract with New York, while Pointer was in the midst of a 10-day with Cleveland when the NBA suspended its season in March.
CHRIST Almighty !!
the g league better enjoy their awards . i wonder if the new team will come in and take over if they can get the right talent
The Sixers have some promising young defenders to work with. Thybulle, Pelle, and now Koumadje
Jumanji!
I can’t see the Sixers giving him a full contract just due to them already having loads of players. They also have like 3 second round pick and a first round pick this year and don’t exactly need lots of rookies. They have Simmons Embiid Thybulle Milton they are already looking solid as far as being a young team.
Definitely wouldn’t be surprised if this is does sign elsewhere tho. Would be nice to put someone young and promising like this to a team with a vet than can help him and show him the ropes. Like Tyson Chandler on the Rockets or Dwight Howard at the Lakers or even Brook Lopez in Milwaukee