The Spurs plan to sign free agent big man Nathan Mensah to a training camp contract, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (via Twitter).
Mensah, 26, went undrafted last year after spending five college seasons at San Diego State. He joined the Hornets last fall, initially signing an Exhibit 10 deal ahead of training camp before being waived prior to the 2023/24 season.
Mensah opened his first professional season playing for Charlotte’s NBA G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm, averaging 10.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 14 Showcase Cup games last fall (29.3 minutes per contest).
Amid multiple frontcourt injuries, the Hornets promoted Mensah to a two-way contract in December. He averaged 1.3 points and 2.6 rebounds in 25 NBA games (12.6 minutes) before he was cut in early March. He returned to the Swarm to conclude his rookie campaign.
A 6’8″ center from Ghana who possesses a 7’4″ wingspan, Mensah caught on with the Spurs for Summer League action in California and Las Vegas. Evidently he impressed the club, as he’ll reportedly be signing with San Antonio for training camp.
While the terms of the contract were not disclosed, camp deals like Mensah’s often contain Exhibit 10 language to give players an opportunity to earn a bonus if they’re waived before the season begins and then spend at least 60 days with a team’s NBAGL affiliate. In Mensah’s case, that would be the Austin Spurs.