Restricted free agent center Ibou Badji has re-signed with the Trail Blazers on a two-way contract, per NBA.com’s official transactions log.
It seems likely that Badji simply accepted the two-way qualifying offer that Portland issued him a couple days ago in order to secure the right of first refusal.
A 7’1″ Senegalese center with a 7’9″ wingspan, Badji played in Spain from 2019-22 and joined the Wisconsin Herd (the Bucks’ G League club) to begin the 2022/23 campaign after going undrafted last year.
In seven games with the Herd, Badji averaged 7.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in 17.6 minutes per contest, impressing the Blazers with his ability to protect the rim. Portland signed him to a two-way deal in November.
The Blazers didn’t have a G League affiliate of their own last season (they do now), so Badji didn’t play any more NBAGL games after joining Portland.
The big man could have suited up for the Blazers or been assigned to another team’s G League affiliate, but he was listed on the team’s injury report for a few months with left knee soreness before undergoing surgery in March. He was expected to be out for eight weeks, so he should be go to go for training camp this fall.