By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following a brief NBA stint, Gabriel Deck is back for Real Madrid, head coach Pablo Laso confirmed Sunday.
“We are talking about a player who has been determinant in each team he has already played. He will help us a lot. He will give us a lot of options on both sides of the court,” noted the experienced tactician after the ACB Regular Season Round 18 home win opposite Casademont Zaragoza, “The first time he came, we knew he would grow with us. He understands the game, he can play in and out, and his versatility is useful.”
Deck, 26, joined the Whites in 2018 and stayed on board until inking a multi-year contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder late last season. His possible return was reported shortly after he was waived.
“The only bad thing, at least from my perspective, is that Deck has just played four games since he left Madrid last April,” added Laso, “The ones at the Olympics. The others are difficult to analyze.”
The Argentine forward made his way to 17 NBA games between 2020-21 and 2021-22. He put up 6.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 15.8 minutes per contest. In the meantime, he averaged 11.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game powering Argentina in the Tokyo Olympic Games.
He is expected to formally rejoin the Spanish giant reinforcing an already deep squad later this week. According to multiple reports, he will ink a contract until the end of the 2023-24 season.
Deck was in attendance as the team based in Madrid beat Zaragoza at WiZink Center and improved the league-leading record to 16-1. The 15-3 tally in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague ranks second behind archrival FC Barcelona.
Pero bueno, ¿a quién tenemos por aquí? ?
¿Qué tal el partido, @gabriel_deck?
? @MovistarPlus#LigaEndesa #ListosParaRomperla pic.twitter.com/vMWP71reRs
— Liga Endesa (@ACBCOM) January 16, 2022
This week, Laso’s side is scheduled to visit Alba Berlin in a EuroLeague Regular Season Round 22 fixture Thursday and host Barca in a pushed back ACB Regular Season Round 16 contest Sunday.
Photo Credit: Getty Images