Veteran NBA big man Wenyen Gabriel will continue his career in Europe. He has signed with Maccabi Tel Aviv, the Israeli team announced in a press release. The contract is for the 2024/25 season with an option for a second year.
Gabriel, 27, appeared in a total of 150 NBA games for the Kings, Trail Blazers, Pelicans, Nets, Clippers, Lakers, and Grizzlies from 2019-24. His most recent NBA stint occurred in March, when he signed a 10-day hardship contract with a banged-up Memphis squad.
Gabriel holds career NBA averages of 4.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in 12.9 minutes per contest, with a shooting line of .524/.311/.606. He enjoyed his most productive season in 2022/23, when he played a regular rotation role for the Lakers and recorded 5.5 PPG and 4.2 RPG in 68 games (15.1 MPG).
Having played exclusively in the NBA and G League for his first five professional seasons, Gabriel joined Vaqueros de Bayamon in March and appeared in 23 games for the Puerto Rican club this spring. The former Kentucky standout will be playing in the EuroLeague for the first time with Maccabi Tel Aviv, who are coming off a 20-14 season and lost in the first round of the EuroLeague playoffs to Panathinaikos, the eventual champions.
While South Sudan hasn’t finalized its 12-man roster for Paris, Gabriel is also expected to be part of that group after helping the team clinch an Olympic berth with its performance at last year’s World Cup.
Choosing to play in Israel rn is a wild move…